In a significant move aimed at addressing growing fan discontent, Manchester City has announced a freeze on ticket prices for the 2025-26 season. The decision comes after increasing pressure from supporters, including recent protests and open letters voicing concerns over affordability and accessibility to matches.

Fan Protests Spark Action

Last week, during the Premier League clash against Leicester City, fans staged a protest by remaining in the concourses for the first nine minutes of the game. This demonstration followed the club’s controversial new partnership with a third-party ticket resale platform, which many supporters argued would further inflate costs and exclude local fans.

Seven prominent Manchester City fan groups had previously sent an open letter to the club, criticizing the steady rise in ticket prices in recent years and fears that loyal fans could be priced out of attending matches.

Club Engages in Constructive Talks

Manchester City acknowledged the concerns raised by City Matters, the club’s official elected fan engagement group. In a released statement, the club emphasized the importance of dialogue with supporters:

"The club would like to thank City Matters representatives for the feedback they provide on a range of topics relating to ticketing and for sharing a broad range of perspectives from the fans they represent."

The decision to freeze general-admission season tickets and matchday Premier League ticket prices was made after extensive discussions with fan representatives.

Broader Implications for Football

This development raises questions about ticket affordability across elite football clubs, where rising costs have increasingly drawn criticism from supporters. Manchester City’s move signals a potential shift toward prioritizing fan engagement over revenue maximization—a trend that could influence other top-flight clubs.

What’s Next?

While the price freeze is a positive step, fan groups have called for further reforms, including transparent pricing policies and long-term affordability measures. The club has yet to comment on whether additional changes will be introduced.

For now, City supporters can take solace in knowing their voices were heard—but the conversation around fair ticketing in modern football is far from over.