Manchester United reportedly aimed to increase season ticket prices by 20 per cent before being talked out of such an enormous rise. The Red Devils have come under immense criticism for rising costs at the club, especially as performances have not met the mark this season.
United announced a five per cent increase to season ticket prices for the 2025/26 campaign, with ‘financial issues’ being cited as the key reason for the hike. Other costly changes are also set to be implemented, such as fans incurring a £10 fine for listing their season ticket for resale within 14 days of said match.
The Red Devils have increased prices by five per cent for the past two seasons, though a far more significant rise was on the cards for a while.
According to The Athletic, United were initially hopeful of implementing a 20 per cent rise but were talked down from the idea by the club’s Fans’ Advisory Board (FAB) after ‘substantial lobbying and extensive consultation’ with the group of non-paid supporters.
Instead, different solutions were sought to ensure that around 50,000 season ticket holders were not stung by the major rise. This includes the seats around the dugout being converted into a hospitality area, which is available for a premium price.
So many major changes at the Theatre of Dreams have been a source of frustration at United, though Sir Jim Ratcliffe was initially stunned when he did not receive a warm welcome earlier this season.
The INEOS boss heard his name sung in ‘abusive terms’ whilst he was in attendance at Craven Cottage to watch his side take on Fulham. Whilst leaving the ground, Ratcliffe thought that a group of away supporters were gesturing for him to stop for a photograph.
However, when he stopped and wound down his window, he was met with a barrage of abuse for altering their ticket strategy in November, as well as abandoning concessions. The incident sparked a reaction among the club chiefs, who were ‘shaken’ by the criticism.
They responded by reintroducing concessions to non-season ticket holders, and it remains to be seen whether Ratcliffe and co continue to drastically cut prices at the club over the coming months now that another price rise has come to the surface.