I knew this moment, like every other Manchester United fan, was expected to come: Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos regime have increased ticket prices by five per cent.
Just in another season of highs and lows for Manchester United fans, I feel that the ticket price hike is another bitter blow for the Old Trafford faithful under Ineos.
This is not even a one-off price increase: this is the fourth time that prices have shot up across the last four seasons in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era of the club.
United have defended their reason for putting prices up — we’ll come on to that— but it feels like another soul-destroying moment for the Old Trafford ethos.
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Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
After a dramatic start to 2026, what is your message to Sir Jim Ratcliffe?
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe arrives prior to the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on January 17, 2026 in Manchester, United Kingdom
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd’s ‘clear objective’ under Ineos comes at the expense of fans attending matches at Old Trafford
Manchester United’s official website on Friday confirmed that the Red Devils must stay “financially sustainable” in their battle against inflation and rising expenditure.
Despite the slew of cost-cutting measures enforced under Ineos chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe, more money must be injected into the Red Devils in the short term.
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That means that the wallets of Man Utd fans will be targeted, especially those desiring a prized season ticket for an Old Trafford seat for the 2026-27 season.
As part of the decision made by Ineos, adult United fans will see an increase of over £2 per match in their season ticket prices and £1 per match for under-16 holders.
If a United fan wanted to look for the most affordable season ticket option, then United revealed that the “lowest price” option would be an eye-watering £646.
The Red Devils have argued that it would work out at around £34 per match across 19 home Premier League fixtures, but the price is far from a drop in the ocean.
United’s “clear objective” is for the Red Devils to climb back to the “top of domestic and European football,” but I feel another price rise doesn’t send that message.
Obviously, I can see price rises being enforced to plough revenue into the club, but at the cost of loyal United fans coming to Old Trafford? It’s not the best look, Ineos.
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Are you happy with Ineos and Sir Jim Ratcliffe?
The (sort of) ‘benefit’ for Man Utd amid the season ticket price rise at Old Trafford for the 2026-27 campaign
I think United fans shouldn’t be all too bleak about the recent call from Red Devils co-owner Ratcliffe and the Ineos regime at Old Trafford ahead of next season.
After all, the Red Devils have confirmed that fans will not “pay more than 1/19th of their season ticket price” for home matches in Europe or domestic cup competitions.
That comes on the back of United making early — and frankly embarrassing — exits from the 2025-26 FA Cup and League Cup competitions this season.
I forgot to mention that it also includes no European football at all in the current campaign amid the Red Devils’ push for a Champions League spot next season.
Irrespective of getting back into Europe next season, whether Europa League or Champions League, the caveat to this ‘benefit’ is not as incentivising as it seems.
With this latest price rise now confirmed, Ineos and Co risk losing more United fans as season tickets become less affordable for the common person growing up.
The de facto season ticket increase, which is now an unfortunate standard to expect every year at Old Trafford, is a really sad moment for this lifelong Man Utd fan.
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