Man City fans group write open letter to chairman on rising ticket prices | OneFootball

A coalition of Manchester City supporters' groups - City Matters - have written an open letter to the club's chairman, expressing fears that fans are being "priced out" of attending matches at the Etihad Stadium.

The club raised season ticket prices by five percent last year, a decision which led to protests at the Etihad from supporters.

Manager Pep Guardiola admitted at the time that he understood the frustration being felt among supporters, and ahead of the window for renewals and prices being confirmed for 2025/26, City Matters have written to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak calling for a renewed dialogue between fans and club when it comes to ticket prices.

"We believe that there is no longer a balance in the club’s season ticket policies," reads the open letter, addressed to the club on Thursday.

"As a consequence of everything noted previously, many Manchester City supporters may be priced out of supporting their side due to the club's ticketing policy decisions - whether through financial hardship or that they simply deem a season card no longer value for money. Some have already suffered this fate. This is an extremely difficult decision for individuals to make.

"The club are quick to emphasise their connection to Manchester. In our most recent annual report, chief executive Ferran Soriano spoke to his love for the city of Manchester. We are asking that we do not lose that link. After all, what is this club without Manchester? Even our nickname – the Citizens – is in reference to our Mancunian roots.

"By making it practically impossible to obtain a standard season ticket, ticketing policy decision makers at Manchester City are severing the generational link between fans and their club."

The group also acknowledged the club's need for financial sustainability, while expressing their opinion that the cost of this ambition does not need to be passed onto supporters.

"It would be remiss not to recognise the need for the club to operate on sustainable financial footing. However, we do not believe this to be a binary choice between protecting supporters and financial sustainability," they said.

"Club accounts show profitability in each season since 2014/15 – with the notable exception of 2019/20 which was curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic. In each of the last two seasons, the club has made profit in excess of £70 million.

"In this instance, we believe that you can have your cake and eat it. We do not need to extract excessive and ever-increasing revenue from loyal supporters."

City Matters have called on the club to freeze season ticket prices ahead of the 2025/26 season, and also proposed removing the £150 upfront cost of flexi-gold season tickets, giving fans the option to choose between a gold or platinum season ticket or a flexi-gold season ticket.

"We are hopeful that the club will implement the measures proposed by City Matters. However, despite brief high-level comments at the Fan Advisory Board meeting in October, we are concerned that limited meaningful dialogue has taken place between supporters and the club on season tickets.

"We note with particular alarm that last season’s renewal information was announced in March 2024. A similar timeline this season would leave only a short timeframe for appropriate input."

📸 Shaun Botterill - 2023 Getty Images