James Murray

Thu 10 April 2025 20:30, UK

Manchester City fans have endured a challenging campaign after the club’s on-field performances have slipped and ticketing issues have emerged. 

Pep Guardiola’s side are currently on course to miss out on Champions League football for next season.

They currently sit sixth in the Premier League table, but five Champions League places are on offer to top-flight clubs as England is comfortably clear in Uefa’s coefficient ranking. 

Man City’s only remaining chance of claiming silverware this season is in the FA Cup as they prepare to take on Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals later this month.

However, off-field issues have dominated proceedings at the Etihad Stadium in recent weeks as fans are growing increasingly frustrated with the club’s ticketing situation.

A large number of supporters remained in the stadium’s concourses for the first nine minutes of their game against Leicester City on 2 April to protest against the new partnership with third-party ticket resale platform Viagogo.

It is the ninth company the Premier League champions have a resale agreement with.

The protest comes after seven Man City fan groups sent a joint letter to the club in February complaining about ticket price rises and the prospect of local supporters being frozen out.

The letter, which was sent to chairman Khaldoon al-Mubarak, pointed out the club have made a profit every year since 2014-15, barring the Covid-affected season. 

Man City match Liverpool after ticket controversy

Finance expert Stefan Borson told Football Insider fights have broken out among Man City fans following the ticketing issues at the Etihad.

The Manchester giants were expected to increase their ticket prices again for next season, but they have now decided against that decision.

The club have announced their season ticket and matchday ticket prices will be frozen for 2025-26 following talks with their fan advisory board.

Man City held an extraordinary meeting with City Matters on 3 April, with the club revealing the decision comes after “positive and constructive dialogue” has taken place between the parties in recent weeks. 

They have joined Liverpool, West Ham, Tottenham and Brentford in freezing their rates, while Manchester United, Arsenal and Newcastle United have confirmed a price hike for next season.

Man City avoid PR nightmare after confirmed news

The reality is that all of the Premier League clubs want to increase their ticket prices as they look to boost their matchday revenue. 

Man City are no different in that regard, but it would have been a PR nightmare had they raised their prices for next season given the ill feeling among the fans. 

They have come under intense pressure to announce this freeze after matters have escalated in recent weeks, with fighting in the stands and the protests. 

It just isn’t a good look for any club, and something clearly had to give for everyone to start moving forward again at the Etihad following their disappointing campaign. 

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