Man City are urged to reverse a decision to hike season ticket prices by 5%… as fan groups tell Mail Sport the Treble winners’ new pricing structure ‘is one step too far’
- Man City fans have accused the club of rewarding them for attending matches
- The Premier League champions claim the increases are due to operating costs
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Manchester City have been urged to reverse the decision to increase season ticket prices by an average of five percent.
Three fan groups have united in telling Mail Sport that the Premier League champions must make a U-turn on their pricing structure for next season after renewal emails were sent on Wednesday.
Fans have accused City of setting prices too high after sustained increases for much of the past decade – in recent months after City posted record sales of £712 million.
The Treble winners claim the increases are related to operating costs linked to inflation and no Premier League club has yet announced a ticket freeze for next year.
But City Matters, the club’s fan advisory board, joined the 1894 Group and the City Fans Foodbank Support Group in calling for a reconsideration.
Manchester City’s decision to increase season ticket prices by an average of five percent has been criticized by the club’s fans
Supporters have urged City to overturn the measure, with some fan groups claiming the club paid some to attend the match.
Pep Guardiola has often referred to the need for vocal supporters, but some supporter groups are concerned the decision is ‘a step too far’.
“The increase is extremely disappointing,” said a spokesperson from 1894. “There is no justification for it. We want the club to reconsider this. People want a freeze, and it is feasible.
‘We are now in a situation where they do not have to make the most of match revenues. The fans are a bit restless. This one feels like a step too far. There is a battle for the heart and soul of the club.’
Alex Howell, chairman of City Matters, added: ‘At what point is success on and off the pitch passed on to the supporters? I agree with the feeling that the club is reversing the decision.
‘In itself it is not a huge increase, but it is the context of the past ten to fifteen years. We are a city that has a lot of poverty, the cost of living (crisis). People will not be able to afford these increases year on year and the reality is that some will be priced out by the incremental increases.”
City have always prided themselves on having some of the cheapest season tickets in the division. The lowest subsequent installment – in five blocks of the Etihad Stadium’s top level – is £425 for an adult. The most expensive, without any hospitality, are £1,080.
Supporters have until April 4 to decide whether to extend the 2024-2025 campaign, with some claiming to have been hit with increases of more than 10 percent.
Pep Guardiola has often highlighted the need for vocal supporters as the club regularly battles on three fronts, but fan groups believe that a greater proportion of the traditional core supporters are faced with tougher decisions every year.
Supporters have until April 4 to renew for the 2024-2025 season and City have always prided themselves on having some of the cheapest season tickets.
They have also introduced pay-as-you-go ‘flexi golf season tickets’ which allow fans to sign up for matches, but at the cost of a £150 membership fee.
The Treble winners claim the increases are related to operating costs linked to inflation
A spokesperson for the Food Bank said: ‘Pep always talks about “our people”, but it is his friends in the boardroom who make things more difficult for “our people”.
‘Decisions like these actively exclude them. It feels like we are being taken for granted. The extension period is extremely short. That will stretch people. Small decisions put pressure on people. We asked the club to think about it again.’
City have introduced a new pay-as-you-go “Flexi-Gold Season Ticket” that allows fans to register for matches with a guaranteed seat, with a £150 membership fee, before purchasing match passes individually.
“The £150 bounty that comes with it seems like people are being taken advantage of,” Howell said. ‘The context is that the club has not made any new season tickets available since the pandemic. People are desperate for any form of season ticket. That’s the only thing on the market for them.’