Man City want to double ticket prices after fan protest – Stefan Borson
Manchester City are one of several clubs to have raised their ticket prices in recent years as fans continue to protest against the price hikes.
Seven Man City fan groups sent a joint letter to the club on 6 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 English champions have made a profit every year since 2014-15, barring the Covid-affected season.
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Premier League clubs are looking to double the price of their matchday tickets over the next 10-15 years.
Manchester United’s hierarchy recently came under fire after raising the cost of tickets for members to £66 and removing concession prices for the rest of the campaign.
Man United, Man City, Liverpool and Everton all held protests against the ticket price rises in early December.
Football Insider revealed on 13 December Premier League ticket prices will skyrocket over the coming years as top-flight clubs aim to significantly boost their matchday revenue.
Premier League ticket prices to rise after Man City controversy
Borson expects Man City fans’ protests to fall on deaf ears at the Etihad.
He told Football Insider: “The clubs want a five per cent increase each year as a base.
“What that means is that the following year they can put five per cent on the five per cent, so by the time you get to 10-15 years, you have doubled the price of the ticket.
“That’s what they are trying to do. If you keep freezing a number of times, you are reducing the price, and that’s what they don’t want to do.
“I think City fans can protest, but I suspect it will fall on deaf ears. I suspect City will maybe freeze one category or one area of the stadium, but generally, they will put the prices up.
“That’s going to happen all over the country. It’s not a City issue. At some point, they will overdo it.
“The only thing that is going to cap ticket prices materially beyond fan protests is simple supply and demand.
“When clubs can’t sell those tickets at the prices they are setting, that will change behaviour and clubs will have to reduce ticket prices.
“But in the absence of that, while the demand is there, teams are going to continue pushing the prices up and they are going to keep resisting against the fan backlash.”
Sheikh Mansour has increased Man City stake after ownership update
Man City’s majority owner Sheikh Mansour has increased his shareholding in the club’s parent company over the past few months.
City Football Group (CFG) issued a total of £420million A Preference Shares in June and November last year.
It was believed Silver Lake, which initially bought a 10 per cent stake in CFG in 2019 before later increasing its shareholding to 18.1 per cent, was the party behind the investment after it was previously the only shareholder with A Preference Shares.
It has since been revealed Mansour’s vehicle Newton Investment and Development was behind the latest injection, taking his shares in CFG to over 80 per cent.
For more Man City news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.