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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 pricing them out of attending games 
  • The Premier League champions claim the increases are due to operating costs
  • The Premier League has to wake up! More than 5 minutes for a VAR check… what about the paying customers in the stadium – It’s All Kicking Off podcast

Manchester City have been urged to reverse a decision to increase season ticket prices by an average of five per cent.

Three fan groups have united in telling Mail Sport that the Premier League champions ought to perform a U-turn on the pricing structure for next season after renewal emails were sent out on Wednesday.

Fans have accused City of pricing them out after continued incremental rises for the majority of the past decade – the latest coming months after City boasted record revenues of £712million.

The Treble winners argue that the increases are linked to operating costs connected to inflation and that no Premier League club has yet to announce a freeze on tickets ahead of next year.

But City Matters, the club’s fan advisory board, joined the 1894 Group and the City Fans Foodbank Support Group in asking for a rethink.

Manchester City's decision to increase season ticket prices by an average of five per cent has been criticised by the club's fans

Manchester City’s decision to increase season ticket prices by an average of five per cent has been criticised by the club’s fans

Supporters have urged City to reverse the move, with some fan groups claiming that the club has priced some out of going to the match

Supporters have urged City to reverse the move, with some fan groups claiming that the club has priced some out of going to the match 

Pep Guardiola has often referenced the need for vocal supporters but there are concerns among some supporters groups that the decision is 'one step too far'

Pep Guardiola has often referenced the need for vocal supporters but there are concerns among some supporters groups that the decision is ‘one step too far’  

‘The rise is immensely disappointing,’ an 1894 spokesman said. ‘There is no justification for it. We’d like the club to reconsider. People want a freeze, which is achievable.

‘We’re in a situation now where they don’t need to wring every last bit out of the matchday revenue. The fans are a little bit restless. This one feels like a step too far. There is a battle for the heart and soul of the club.’

Alex Howell, the chair of City Matters, added: ‘At what point does the success on and off the pitch get passed to supporters? I echo the sentiment for the club to reverse the decision.

‘In isolation it’s not a huge rise but it’s the context of the past 10-15 years. We’re a city that does have a lot of deprivation, the cost of living (crisis). People aren’t going to be able to afford these rises year-on-year and the reality is that some are going to be priced out by the incremental rises.’

City have always prided themselves on having some of the cheapest season cards in the division. The lowest next term – in five blocks of the Etihad Stadium’s top tier – are £425 for an adult. The most expensive, without any hospitality included, are £1,080.

Supporters have until April 4 to decide whether to renew for the 2024-25 campaign, with some claiming to have been hit with rises of more than 10 per cent.

Pep Guardiola has often referenced the need for vocal supporters as the club regularly battle on three fronts but fan groups believe more of the traditionally core support are being faced with tougher decisions each year. 

Supporters will have until April 4 to renew for the 2024-25 season and City have always prided themselves on having some of the cheapest season tickets

Supporters will have until April 4 to renew for the 2024-25 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' that let fans opt-in to matches, but at the cost of a membership charge of £150

They have also introduced pay-as-you-go ‘flexi-golf season tickets’ that let fans opt-in to matches, but at the cost of a membership charge of £150

The Treble winners argue that the increases are linked to operating costs connected to inflation

The Treble winners argue that the increases are linked to operating costs connected to inflation

A Foodbank spokesman said: ‘Pep always talks about “our people” but it’s his friends in the boardroom who are making it more difficult for “our people”. 

‘Decisions like this are actively excluding them. It feels like we’re taken for granted. The renewal period is extremely short. That will stretch people. Little decisions are squeezing people. We’d asked the club to reconsider.’

City have introduced a new pay-as-you-go “Flexi-Gold season ticket” which allows fans to opt in for matches in a guaranteed seat, with a membership charge of £150 before purchasing match passes individually.

‘The premium at £150 that goes with it seems like it’s taking advantage of people,’ Howell said. ‘The context is that the club haven’t made 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.’

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