‘Man City are alienating fans’ after new development – ‘this is wrong’
Man City are enduring their toughest season in recent memory but fans are concerned the club will hike season ticket prices for the 2025-26 campaign.
Seven City fan groups have written an open letter (per the FSA, 10 February) to the club’s board urging them to freeze or reduce prices for next season.
They say season ticket prices have increased in all areas of the Etihad Stadium since the global pandemic, climbing 15% between 2021-22 and 2024-25 – while South Stand prices have increased of 24%.
Man City are currently undergoing expansion works to increase the Etihad’s capacity to 61,474 and construct a new hotel and ‘Skybar’.
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – claimed the Premier League champions are “alienating fans for a small gain”.
‘Man City must be careful with their fanbase’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed City must “be careful” with their fans as the club is “not in any financial dilemma”.
In their accounts for the 2023-24 campaign, the club recorded a highest-ever revenue of £715million and posted a profit of £73.8million.
Wyness claimed City have “struggled to fill the stadium” and should keep prices low to repair their reputation following the 115 charges controversy.
He told Football Insider‘s Insider Track podcast: “City are not in any financial dilemma.
“They’ve got money in the bank, wealthy owners, they’re making a profit.
“I think it’s wrong, the way they’re handling these ticket issues.
“Each department is under pressure to perform, but like Man United – City fans are saying they’ve had enough.
“It’s just marginal money in terms of the bigger picture, and fans have to be treated better.
“If City are increasing capacity, they’ve got to be able to attract fans. City will want to be seen as a fair-minded club with supporters and they have the chance to lead the way.
“They’ll want to limit some of the damage to their reputation from this 115 charges case.
“City fans are known to be incredibly loyal, but it’s also a fact that they’ve struggled to fill the stadium.
“The club have to be careful with this fanbase. If they want to grow it, they’ve got to make it attractive.
“I just don’t see the point in alienating any of the fans for such a small gain.”
Man City spending to continue this summer
On the pitch, Wyness has previously told Football Insider that Man City can continue spending this summer despite their £180million January outlay.
Nico Gonzalez, Omar Marmoush, Victor Reis and Abdukodir Khusanov all arrived at the Etihad Stadium to bolster Guardiola’s squad.
Former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown has told Football Insider that Man City scouts are keeping tabs on Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton.
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