Manchester United Faces Fan Backlash Over Third Consecutive Season Ticket Price Hike

Manchester United has announced a 5% increase in season ticket prices for the third year in a row as the club continues its push for financial stability. While the price hike is lower than some had anticipated, it has sparked criticism from supporters who had called for a freeze, particularly in light of the team’s underwhelming performances on the pitch.

The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) acknowledged that the increase was not as steep as feared but expressed disappointment that club officials had ignored widespread calls to maintain current pricing. While ticket prices for under-16s will remain unchanged, other adjustments—including a requirement for season ticket holders to attend at least 16 of 19 home Premier League games—have also drawn scrutiny.

Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos group took partial control of the club last year, several financial and operational changes have been introduced to improve United’s economic outlook. However, these measures have proven controversial, with recent protests from fans, particularly during last week’s home fixture against Arsenal.

Among the latest revisions for the 2025-26 season, United is introducing a tiered pricing system for individual match tickets, meaning higher-demand games will cost more for non-season ticket holders. Additionally, the club is increasing car parking charges by 15% and converting seats near the Old Trafford dugouts into premium hospitality spots.

United’s chief executive, Omar Berrada, defended the decision, stating that the club had worked to develop a “fair and reasonable” pricing structure. He acknowledged fan frustrations but emphasized that rising operational costs made a price freeze impractical.

“We understand that any increase is unwelcome, particularly given the team’s recent struggles, and we carefully considered the arguments put forth by the Fan Advisory Board,” Berrada said. “However, maintaining the current pricing structure while costs continue to rise would not be sustainable. We have kept increases to a minimum while ensuring our youngest supporters are not affected.”

MUST has strongly opposed the changes, arguing that the club should focus on rebuilding trust with fans instead of raising prices. In a statement, the organization stressed that other clubs had managed to freeze ticket costs and that a similar move from United could have sent a powerful message of unity.

“The introduction of a match categorization model is a major concern, as it will place additional financial strain on supporters attending high-profile fixtures,” the statement read. “We are also deeply disappointed by the increase in the minimum usage requirement for season ticket holders.”

United’s decision comes just days after co-owner Ratcliffe warned that the club would have run out of money by Christmas without his investment. His recent announcement of a planned £2 billion redevelopment of Old Trafford has also raised questions about the club’s financial priorities.

Despite the backlash, United insists that the revised ticketing approach will allow the club to remain competitive while continuing to invest in improving the squad. However, with fans already expressing their frustration through protests and criticism, the club’s leadership may face mounting pressure to reassess its pricing strategy in the near future.

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