MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 03: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) General view inside the stadium prior to the Barclays Women's Super League match between Manchester City and Liverpool at Joie Stadium on May 03, 2026 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Manchester City's Joie Academy Stadium
Manchester City rejected an offer to play this season's FA Youth Cup Final at their opponents' Old Trafford home, after it was decided the Etihad Stadium would be unavailable to host the fixture.
Manchester United supporter groups and players' families are dismayed by the decision to play the fixture at such a small venue, with demand for tickets reportedly exceeding supply.
The game between the two rival sides is scheduled to be played at 7pm on Thursday, May 14, and will break from tradition this season.
Manchester United parents 'struggling to get tickets' for Youth Cup Final
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: A general view of the Joie Stadium during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester City U21 and Newcastle United U21 at Joie Stadium on April 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 14: A general view of the Joie Stadium during the Premier League 2 match between Manchester City U21 and Newcastle United U21 at Joie Stadium on April 14, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Harriet Massey/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
Typically, the game is hosted at the stadium of whichever team is drawn as the home side, but Man City have instead chosen to contest the final at their much smaller academy venue.
Pep Guardiola's side still have two Premier League fixtures to play at the Etihad before the season finale in just under a fortnight, as well as a test event on May 20, however, those two matches are separated by an 11-day gap.
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Since 2000, every other host club has played the FA Youth Cup Final at their primary stadium.
Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel's father Joe took to social media to share his frustration at the decision, dubbing it a 'robbery of kids' dreams'.
"To not play it in a main stadium is ludicrous. I don't blame City, I blame the FA for allowing it to happen," he said.
According to the BBC, Manchester United academy staff are 'unhappy with the situation' and the decision has left many parents annoyed with some reportedly struggling to get tickets due to the reduced capacity.
An allocation just short of 1,000 has been made available to visiting supporters.