Manchester United has faced severe backlash from its season ticket holders after unveiling significant changes aimed at addressing its financial difficulties. The club will raise ticket prices by approximately 5% for the third straight year, and notably, senior citizens will see their discount cut from 50% to 25%, effective next season.
Fan group ‘The 1958′ has expressed outrage, highlighting that this increase essentially reflects a 57% rise in costs for some of the club’s longest-serving loyal supporters. They have been actively campaigning alongside the Football Supporters’ Association to convey the negative sentiments regarding escalating ticket prices. The group criticises the club for failing to freeze prices or follow the lead of other Premier League teams, especially given the lacklustre performance of the team in recent years. They lament the club’s disregard for fan loyalty, stating that Manchester United appears to be deteriorating under the ownership of the Glazers, and fans are being left to bear the financial burden of years of neglect.
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust has indicated plans to engage in ‘urgent discussions’ with club officials, seeking to delay the implementation of the senior discount reduction over a longer timeframe. United’s CEO, Omar Berrada, has defended the price adjustments, asserting that the club aimed to ensure pricing was fair and reasonable, insisting the changes are meant to remedy inconsistencies in discounting.
While the club maintains that current ticket prices, even with increments, remain lower than a decade ago when adjusted for inflation, and are compared favourably with other clubs in the north-west, the changes have sparked discontent. It’s worth noting that youth tickets for under-16s will not be affected.
In addition to the price hikes, the club will convert certain seating areas around the Old Trafford benches into VIP hospitality zones as a means of generating additional revenue. This move mirrors similar strategies employed at other venues, where premium seats come at hefty prices. The club has acknowledged that this could disrupt current ticket holders in those areas and has pledged to communicate with them to find alternative seating options.
These announcements come amid a dire financial outlook, with co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe recently stating that the club would face financial insolvency by Christmas without his investment and the ambitious plans for a new £4 billion stadium. The ongoing tactics to increase revenue highlight the challenges facing Manchester United and the growing dissatisfaction among its fanbase.