Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has defended the club’s widely unpopular decision to increase season ticket prices. The club announced in March that they would be raising season ticket prices by five percent for the 2024/25 Premier League season.
This increase follows Manchester City posting a record-breaking £712 million revenue and £80 million profit in their latest annual financial records released in November.
Following the announcement, supporters were understandably furious. The 1894 Group, one of the four main supporters’ groups, issued a lengthy statement claiming that fans were being “priced out.” The group added, “It looks like the club wants us to give up season tickets so that more tickets can go on sale via packages. It’s more than price rises – it’s about the heart and soul of the club.”
Al Mubarak has defended the increase in prices, stating, “We need to find ways to generate capital and revenue. Every pound coming out from that revenue has been reinvested in the team and continues to be reinvested in the team. So, we have to again, carefully tread. We’re talking very closely to our fan base to make sure that we’re able to strike that balance in an appropriate way.”
This response has obviously not satisfied the fans. No club in a strong financial position should ever increase ticket prices. Especially after posting record revenues. With Pep Guardiola previously asking the fanbase to show more passion during games, this move is likely to worsen the atmosphere rather than improve it.
“I recognise some of our fans are not satisfied on the pricing side of it. We have to find solutions for them. That is our job,” Al Mubarak said. The solution seems simple, as expressed by a banner unveiled at the Etihad during a game against Arsenal: “Record profits but record prices. Stop exploiting our loyalty.”
