Man City issue statement after confirming ticket prices for 2025/2026 season

Manchester City, one of the most successful and globally recognized football clubs in recent years, made a notable announcement regarding ticket pricing for the 2025/26 season. In a move that has garnered attention across the footballing world, the club declared that they would not be increasing ticket prices for the upcoming season. This decision comes in response to growing concerns among fans over the rising cost of attending matches, a sentiment that has been shared by supporters of several other top-tier football clubs. The issue of escalating ticket prices has been a hot topic in the footballing community, with fans often feeling excluded due to the financial strain these prices impose.

This particular decision comes on the back of a public protest by Manchester City supporters that occurred during a match against Leicester. On that day, many fans, frustrated by the club’s actions and the rising costs of attending matches, made their voices heard. In a display of solidarity, a significant number of Manchester City fans decided to protest against the club’s decision to add Viagogo as its ninth official ticket resale partner. The protest took place during the early minutes of the game, with fans staying in the concourse for the first nine minutes, symbolizing their discontent with the club’s ticketing policies.

The protest was particularly significant because it directly impacted the matchday atmosphere at the Etihad Stadium. During the protest, sections of the South Stand were noticeably empty, but the stands filled up quickly once the demonstration concluded. This shift in attendance highlighted both the commitment of the supporters to voice their concerns and their willingness to return to the stadium once they felt their voices had been heard. The protest sent a clear message to Manchester City that fans were becoming increasingly unhappy with the club’s ticketing policies, particularly regarding the decision to work with a resale platform that many felt took advantage of supporters by inflating ticket prices.

Following the protest, the fan group City Matters, which represents Manchester City supporters, requested a meeting with the club to discuss the growing concerns over ticket pricing and season ticket policies. City Matters, which has been an important platform for fan engagement, expressed the need for a meaningful discussion about how the club could better serve its supporters in terms of ticket affordability and transparency. The meeting had originally been delayed for almost two months, but it finally took place, providing an opportunity for the club to listen to its fans and take their concerns into account when making decisions about ticket pricing.

During this meeting, City Matters representatives articulated the concerns of the supporters, emphasizing that the rising cost of attending matches was becoming a burden for many fans, particularly those who had been loyal supporters of the club for years. The issue of ticket resale platforms, especially Viagogo, was also raised as a point of contention, with many fans feeling that these platforms were exacerbating the problem of ticket inflation. Fans expressed frustration that tickets were being resold at inflated prices, making it harder for genuine supporters to afford to attend matches. The meeting served as a platform for open dialogue between the club and its fans, with both parties engaging in a constructive conversation about the future of ticketing policies.

In response to the concerns raised by City Matters and its supporters, Manchester City made the decision to freeze ticket prices for both general season tickets and match-by-match tickets for the 2025/26 season. This move was seen as a positive step by many fans, who had been worried about the prospect of further price hikes. The decision to freeze ticket prices came as a direct result of the feedback provided by fans during the meeting, and it was clear that the club had listened to the concerns of its supporters. The club issued a statement thanking City Matters for their input and confirmed that they would continue to work together to improve the overall fan experience. The statement also emphasized the club’s commitment to maintaining strong communication with supporters and ensuring that their needs were taken into account when making decisions that affected them.

Furthermore, Manchester City expressed their dedication to improving the matchday experience for fans in other ways, particularly through the ongoing redevelopment of the Etihad Stadium. The club highlighted that the expansion and redevelopment of the stadium would play a key role in enhancing the fan experience, providing more amenities, and creating a more comfortable and enjoyable environment for supporters. The ongoing development projects at the Etihad Stadium are part of Manchester City’s broader strategy to ensure that the club remains at the forefront of the footballing world, both in terms of on-field performance and off-field fan engagement.

One of the most exciting developments mentioned in the club’s statement was the planned opening of the expanded North Stand, which is expected to be ready for testing in January 2026. This new stand, once completed, will significantly increase the stadium’s capacity and provide fans with even more opportunities to attend matches. The expansion of the North Stand is part of a larger project to modernize the Etihad Stadium and create a more state-of-the-art facility for both fans and players. Assuming construction stays on schedule, the completion of the North Stand will mark an important milestone in the club’s efforts to improve the overall matchday experience for supporters.

The decision to freeze ticket prices for the 2025/26 season is part of a broader trend that has been seen across the Premier League in recent years, with several other clubs, including Liverpool and Tottenham, also announcing that they would not be increasing ticket prices for the upcoming season. This shift in policy reflects a growing recognition of the financial challenges that many fans face when it comes to attending matches. With the cost of living continuing to rise, many football clubs are beginning to understand the importance of keeping ticket prices affordable in order to maintain strong relationships with their fanbase. Freezing ticket prices is one way that clubs can show their commitment to supporters and demonstrate that they value their loyalty and passion.

Fans of Manchester City, along with supporters of other clubs who have made similar announcements, have expressed relief and satisfaction with the decision to freeze ticket prices. For many fans, this represents a positive step in the right direction, signaling that clubs are starting to take their concerns seriously. The move is seen as a recognition of the financial pressures faced by supporters, especially in an era where the cost of attending live football matches has skyrocketed in recent years. For Manchester City fans, the decision to freeze ticket prices is particularly significant given the club’s rising success on the pitch and the increasing global interest in the team. Many fans feared that the club would use its success to justify price hikes, but the decision to freeze prices has alleviated these concerns.

The relationship between football clubs and their fans is crucial to the success of the sport, and it is clear that Manchester City is taking steps to strengthen this relationship. By listening to the concerns of their supporters and taking action to address issues such as ticket pricing, the club is showing that they value their fanbase and are committed to creating an environment where supporters feel heard and respected. The decision to freeze ticket prices for the 2025/26 season is a positive step towards ensuring that Manchester City’s loyal supporters can continue to enjoy watching their team play without being priced out of attending matches.

In conclusion, the announcement by Manchester City to freeze ticket prices for the 2025/26 season represents a significant and positive development for the club’s supporters. The decision comes after a period of protest and dialogue between fans and the club, and it reflects the club’s commitment to addressing the concerns of its fanbase. The freeze in ticket prices, combined with the ongoing redevelopment of the Etihad Stadium and the planned expansion of the North Stand, demonstrates Manchester City’s dedication to improving the overall fan experience. As other clubs in the Premier League have also made similar moves, it is clear that the issue of ticket pricing is becoming an increasingly important consideration for football clubs. By making this decision, Manchester City has shown that they value the loyalty and passion of their supporters, and that they are committed to maintaining a strong and positive relationship with them moving forward.