Manchester City fan group Trade Union Blues have urged the club to rethink a recently introduced minimum-game season policy, which they claim “unlawfully” penalises fans unable to attend every single match.
The club has recently introduced a new policy which means season ticket holders must use their ticket for 16 of next season’s 19 Premier League games, while personally attending at least 10 games. Six games could be transferred to other eligible fans via the club’s inhouse system.
The letter, sent by Leigh Day solicitors on behalf of Trade Union Blues, argues that the minimum game policy “would leave potentially thousands of fans at risk of having their season ticket revoked, including those that are elderly, disabled, pregnant, have religious or cultural obligations, have caring responsibilities or who work shift patterns”.
Trade Union Blues were, as the name suggests, formed by trade union members, and they say the club’s guidelines lack “any clear guidance on exemptions or reasonable adjustments” and are in breach of the 2010 Equality Act.
We have instructed @LeighDay_Law to write to the club about the recently implemented minimum attendance policy as well as facial recognition. We hope they will engage in meaningful discussions and scrap these damaging policies. pic.twitter.com/46oL7OKBcM
— Trade Union Blues (@tradeunionblues) June 10, 2025
Trade Union Blues say the policy change has already discouraged renewals, with some lifelong fans priced out or forced to downgrade to Flexi-Gold, the club’s pay-as-you-go ticket. They say the club is prioritising profit over loyalty, aiming to drive up income from individual matchday sales rather than retain season ticket holders.
A major concern is the apparent lack of any formal review procedure or support structure for supporters who have contacted the club for clarification or with mitigation, which might also include things such as long-term illness.
“Policy punishes people for being human”
Chris Neville, secretary at Trade Union Blues, said: “This policy doesn’t reward loyalty – it punishes people for being human. Illness, pregnancy, disability, caring responsibilities or working shifts should now cost you your season ticket. Many of our members have followed City through thick and thin and now face exclusion because of inflexible criteria that takes no account of individual circumstances.
“The club talks about inclusion and community, but this policy does the exact opposite – it’s divisive and discriminatory. We’re urging the club to sit down with fans, rethink this damaging policy, and create a fairer, more inclusive approach.”
Lifelong City supporter Helen Powell contacted the club at the end of the 2023/24 season to let them know she was pregnant and asked if it would be possible to defer next season’s ticket as she anticipated being unable to make a lot of games.
“I was told this would not be possible,” said Helen. “Had this ten game personal attendance policy been in place I would have lost my ticket, as would many parents, particularly those carrying and feeding children. I am incredibly disappointed in this policy and the club.”
The legal action is supported by Law for Change who said they were “very happy to be funding this important challenge to an ill-thought-through policy at Manchester City Football Club. It seems apparent that this policy will disproportionately impact certain groups, and we therefore hope that this action will prompt the club to reconsider its decision. We thank the team at Leigh Day for bringing this important case to our attention.”
Trade Union Blues have asked the club to respond within 14 days and requested a meeting with club representatives to resolve the matter – read more via Leigh Day.