June 1 – Manchester City have had a torrid time on the field this season, and it hasn’t been plain sailing off the pitch either, as chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has had to deal with fan unrest over the issue of rising ticket prices.
City fans have protested on numerous occasions inside and outside the Etihad Stadium, leading the club to announce that they would freeze ticket prices for the 2025-26 season.
Much of the supporters’ anger has been directed against the club’s new partnership with a third-party ticket resale platform, which typically raises prices through extra charges and hidden fees.
Individual match tickets for Premier League games currently range from £40-70 for matches against lower-ranked teams, while high-profile fixtures against Liverpool, Manchester United, or Champions League matches can reach £100-150.
Despite these costs, Manchester City still offers one of the cheapest season tickets in the Premier League at £540 for the season.
Asked about the issue in an interview with City’s in-house media channel, Al Mubarak said: “Yes, I think this is a very important question. This has been a relationship built on trust between the fans and the club. And that trust comes both ways.
“I think this issue on ticketing is no doubt something that has… I’m not OK with the way it played out.
“I think the management team is working very closely with [fan group] City Matters, addressing and understanding the issues.
“What I’m sure about and I hope this message comes out loud and clear, is that relationship of trust between the fans and the club is the foundation of the success and sustainability of this club.”
It is widely rumored that City will embark on an ambitious player spending spree this summer, leading many fans to wonder how long ticket prices will remain affordable for ordinary supporters.
Al Mubarak has been City’s chairman since Emirati royal Sheikh Mansour completed his purchase of the club in September 2008. Under Al Mubarak’s stewardship, City have become the dominant force in English football, winning the Premier League eight times. They lifted their first Champions League title in 2023 as part of the club’s treble-winning campaign.
City are still waiting the verdict of an independent tribunal over accusations they brke more than 100 financial fair play rules.
Contact the writer of this story at nick.webster