Man City make talk look cheap by disrespecting fans over tickets

Manchester City were 'pleased to announce' last week that season ticket holders would soon be able to renew their seats for next season.

The club were so happy with this news that they decided to shove it out on Friday night at the same time as a piece exploring Fantasy Premier League options, an unexpectedly fitting choice given how far from reality City look with their fanbase. Not that the article was upfront enough to mention it, but for the 12th year out of 14 (not counting 2020/21 when the pandemic meant season tickets were suspended) supporters are being asked to pay more to watch their team.

The rise is on average five per cent, which works out at about £40 for an adult season ticket holder. There are lots of fans who will have no problem with this, particularly given the entertainment on offer from a Pep Guardiola side that are chasing an historic Treble.

Also read: Why Man City put season ticket prices up despite record profit

However, there are many that rightly do, including City Matters - a group of fans set up by the club to work with them through regular meetings to ensure their voice is being heard. Their request for season tickets to be frozen in light of the cost-of-living crisis was ignored, as was their request for tickets for the Real Madrid game to be no more expensive than the Bayern Munich game; as far as the club are concerned, it doesn't appear as though City Matters actually matters at all.

City's decision to raise season ticket prices again flies in the face of the economic reality of their supporters, who are traditionally one of the fanbases in the Premier League with the least disposable income.

During a period of 14 years where it has been incrementally more expensive to watch