Man Utd fans 'disappointed' by season ticket price increase

Yahoo

17-03-2025

Manchester United season ticket prices will increase by about 5% for the third successive year as the club aims to become financially sustainable.
The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) says the increase is "less than many feared", and there has been a price freeze for under-16s.
But MUST says United fans have "expressed their disappointment" that the club has "ignored" the call for a widespread price freeze.
Since becoming the club's co-owner last year, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group have tried improve the club's finances but several changes have been unpopular, resulting in fan protests, in particular at last week's home game with Arsenal.
Some of the latest changes for the 2025-26 season include the introduction of a game categorisation model for non-season ticket holders, where premium games cost more.
United are also increasing the minimum usage requirement for season ticket holders from 15 to 16 of their 19 Premier League home games.
United's chief executive Omar Berrada says the club "worked hard to come up with a pricing package that is fair and reasonable" and that the new changes are being made "to offset continued rises in operating costs".
However, MUST says that "we fail to see any justification for the increase" and that the new categorisation model is "a source of major concern".
A MUST statement read: "For several months we have argued long and hard that the club need to look at the big picture and freeze ticket prices for next season.
"Other clubs have done that already and at United it would have sent a powerful message about the need for everyone to pull together to get the club out of the very difficult position it finds itself in."
Berrada said: "We understand that any price rise is unwelcome, especially during a period of under-performance on the pitch, and we listened carefully to the strong arguments put forward by the FAB (Fan Advisory Board) in favour of a freeze.
"However, the club has decided it would not be right to keep prices unchanged while costs rise and the club continues to face financial issues.
"We have kept the increase to the lowest possible level and protected our youngest season ticket holders from any rises, while ensuring the club remains financially strong enough to invest in improving the team."
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Full transcript of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's interview
After freezing season ticket prices for 11 years, United are now increasing them for a third straight year.
This comes after a second round of redundancies at the club was announced last month, and there was a mid-season rise in some ticket prices to £66, with no concessions. Other cost-cutting measures including the removal of free lunches for staff.
Ratcliffe has said the decisions are necessary in order to slash losses, which last year exceeded £113m, and last week he told the BBC Sport "the club runs out of money at Christmas if we don't do those things".
The latest season ticket changes represent an average increase of £2.50 per game.
Ratcliffe told the BBC: "Well, I don't get involved in the detail of ticket pricing. That's for the management of the club, not for me really.
"My sort of general principles on ticket pricing are that it should be fair, affordable for the people in Manchester.
"We do need to look after the under-16s and the older people who do not have as much money, but at the same time ticket income is part of the overall income of the club.
"The club receives income from ticketing, from merchandising and from TV. They are all major components of how much money we have to spend on new players and the squad."
The introduction of a game categorisation model, plus the increase in season ticket prices and the minimum usage requirement as just some of the latest changes:
United's 'senior' discount will now track the state pension age of 66, giving older fans 25% off. Some had previously received a 50% discount.
Fans behind the dugouts will be relocated, allowing the club to convert those seats for hospitality and sell them at premium prices
Fans who sell their ticket back to the club less than 14 days before a game will be charged £10
Car parking charges will rise by 15%
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