By Martin Graham | 28th Nov 2024
Manchester United has come under fire for raising matchday ticket prices mid-season, with seats now costing £66 per game and no discounts available for children or pensioners. The club informed its fans’ forum of the decision earlier this week and has since updated its website to reflect the change.
Club representatives argue that the price hike will affect only a small proportion of fans, as 97% of tickets have already been sold. However, remaining tickets will be subject to the increased pricing, sparking anger among supporters.
Fan groups condemn the decision
The 1958 fans’ group, known for its vocal opposition to the Glazer family’s ownership, described the move as “blatant exploitation” of loyal supporters in an open letter to chief executive Omar Berrada. The group has accused the club of prioritizing profits over fan loyalty, labeling the practice of reselling unused season ticket seats at higher prices as “corporate touting.”
In response to the decision, the group has announced plans for a protest with Everton fans before Sunday’s match at Old Trafford. Similarly, the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust criticized the lack of consultation, calling the move “offensive” and seeking urgent discussions with the club to reverse the policy.
Financial struggles amid management changes
United’s latest financial report reveals significant costs related to managerial changes. The club spent £10.4m on severance packages for former manager Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff, along with £11m to secure the release of new manager Ruben Amorim from Sporting Lisbon.
These expenses come amid a disappointing season, with the team languishing in the bottom half of the Premier League and managing just seven wins in 18 competitive fixtures. Despite this, the club insists the increased ticket prices are necessary to comply with Premier League financial regulations while continuing to invest in the squad.
Ticket price increases are not unique to Manchester United this season. Amid rising revenues from new Premier League broadcasting deals, protests against ticket hikes have become widespread, with the Football Supporters’ Association spearheading a campaign to address concerns over fan exploitation.
