Manchester City fan group City Matters have told the club they fear supporters are being "priced out" of attending the Etihad and that the season ticket policy being pursued could sever a generational link between fans.
The group have called for renewed dialogue from the club ahead of the season ticket renewal window, having presented their own proposals to the club in the final few months of 2024.
City Matters, the club's elected fan-advisory board, has sent an open letter to chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak today voicing their concerns ahead of the 2025/26 season. The club raised season ticket prices by five per cent last year, a decision that led to protests at the Etihad from supporters. Pep Guardiola admitted he understood the frustration being felt among supporters.
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Those price rises were released in early March last year, and ahead of the window for renewals and prices being confirmed for 2025/26, City Matters have written to Al Mubarak to reaffirm their own views.
In a detailed letter, the group explained how prices and the way season tickets are sold have changed in recent years and outlines some of the challenges being faced by fans living in Greater Manchester.
"We believe that there is no longer a balance in the club’s season ticket policies," said the group.
"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 addressed the club's desire to be financially secure but insists this ambition doesn't necessitate paying supporters in advance.
"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.
"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 outlined their own season ticket proposals in meetings in September and December, calling for prices to be frozen or reduced for 2025/26. They also proposed removing the £150 upfront cost of flexi-gold season tickets and giving fans the option to choose between a gold or platinum season ticket or a flexi-gold season ticket.
The fan group are now calling on the club to devote the majority of February's City Matters meeting to discussing season tickets, or to call an extraordinary meeting to focus entirely on the issue.
"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."
