Manchester United supporters have criticised the club’s decision to raise matchday ticket prices to a potential high of £97. This follows what many consider one of the club’s poorest campaigns in decades, with a 15th-place finish – their lowest league position since being relegated in 1973-74.
Last season, tickets for Premier League matches at Old Trafford started at £40, with the most expensive reaching £66. That mid-season flat rate was introduced without concessions for unsold seats. Now, the club is introducing a tiered pricing system for the roughly 20,000 tickets sold per match, sparking concern and frustration among fans.
Ticket categories and fan discontent
The new structure introduces four pricing levels, with the lowest only applicable to selected cup matches. Premier League fixtures are split across three price bands: category A, B, and C. Only two games – against Wolves and Sunderland – fall into category C, with the cheapest tickets at £37. The top tier, category A, includes matches versus Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Tottenham, where the most expensive seats will now cost £97.
United officials have stated that this top price affects fewer than 1% of the available tickets, and that the original pricing proposal was adjusted after engagement with supporters. However, the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) strongly disputes this version of events. They argue that there was no genuine consultation and say the club ignored suggestions to keep prices stable for most matches and reduce costs for games with less demand.
MUST described the decision as “a fresh kick in the teeth” for loyal fans and believe the model could severely impact support at Old Trafford next season, damaging the stadium’s atmosphere when the team needs unity most.
Club defends pricing amid wider financial strategy
Chief executive Omar Berrada admitted in an interview that the previous season’s switch to a £66 flat rate was poorly handled. Still, the club insists the new system is necessary to manage its financial obligations. United also points out that categorising matches is already standard practice at most other Premier League grounds.
An external source, Football Fancast, noted that four top-flight clubs had higher maximum ticket prices than United’s planned £97, with Fulham topping the list at £160. Despite this, many fans feel their loyalty is being tested just when the team needs their support more than ever.
After the final game of the season, manager Ruben Amorim urged fans to remain unified as the club rebuilds. The reaction to the pricing changes suggests that call may be harder to realise than hoped.
