Manchester United fans are expressing outrage over rising ticket prices, which they view as a slap in the face after a dismal Premier League season. The club's recent announcement of a 5% increase in season ticket prices for the 2025/26 season, coupled with a new "match categorisation model" for non-season ticket holders, has sparked widespread criticism and fueled existing tensions between the supporters and the club's management.
The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has been particularly vocal in its condemnation of the new ticketing policies. MUST described the changes as a "fresh kick in the teeth" for fans, especially considering the team's poor performance in the 2024/25 season, where they finished in the bottom half of the Premier League. A MUST spokesperson stated that after the disastrous season, they had hoped the club would reconsider its plans, which will see significant price increases for approximately 20,000 fans who purchase tickets on a match-by-match basis.
The new "match categorisation model" is a significant point of contention. Manchester United will now categorize games into four groups (A, B, C, and D), with prices varying based on the perceived attractiveness and demand for each match. Category A games, which include high-profile matches against rivals such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, and Newcastle United, will have the highest ticket prices, ranging from £59 to £97. Category B games will be priced between £57 and £86, Category C games between £37 and £60, and Category D, reserved for cup fixtures, will range from £32 to £52.
Critics argue that this new system disproportionately affects match-going fans who are not season ticket holders, with the cheapest tickets for most league games rising by more than 50%. MUST claims that the club failed to properly consult with fan representative bodies on the details of the decision, going against their commitment to fan representation. While the club maintains that the figures were presented to the Fan Advisory Board (FAB), MUST asserts that their concerns were not adequately addressed.
Manchester United's management has defended the price increases by citing rising operating costs and the need to maintain financial stability. Club CEO Omar Berrada stated that the pricing package was designed to be fair and reasonable, and that the club had worked hard to keep the increase to the lowest possible level while protecting younger season ticket holders from any rises. The club also stated the new structure reflects the reality of variations in demand and attractiveness between different fixtures and that they have prioritised their most loyal fans in season-ticket holders and under-16 matchgoers.
However, fans argue that the price hikes are unjustified, especially given the club's recent struggles on the pitch and the financial mismanagement under previous ownership. Some supporters groups have accused the club of prioritizing revenue generation over fan interests and expressed concerns that the rising ticket prices will alienate loyal fans and price out the next generation of supporters.
The situation is further complicated by the club's recent performance. The 2024-25 season saw Manchester United finish in 15th place in the Premier League, their worst league finish since 1973-74. The club also saw an early exit from the FA Cup and finished as runners-up in the UEFA Europa League. This poor performance has only intensified fan frustration with the ticket price increases, leading to protests and demonstrations outside Old Trafford.
While the club insists that the changes are necessary to ensure financial sustainability and invest in improving the team, many fans view the ticket price hikes as a betrayal of their loyalty and a sign that the club is out of touch with its supporters. The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between the commercial demands of modern football and the desire to maintain a strong connection with the fans who are the lifeblood of the club.
