Manchester United have defended a rise in season ticket prices for 2025/26, forming part of the club’s ongoing wider efforts to raise revenue and cut costs.
Season ticket prices for all supporters except junior fans aged 16 and under will increase by 5%, a figure in line with the likes of rival clubs Arsenal and Liverpool.
The club’s fans’ advisory board (FAB) was consulted before a decision was made and had “strongly advocated” for a price freeze in the circumstances – as has been the case at Tottenham Hotspur.
Communication from the FAB suggested that United had hoped to raise prices by more than 5%. The Athletic has revealed the club were initially looking to implement a much steeper 20% increase.
Chief executive Omar Berrada explained: “We understand that any price rise is unwelcome, especially during a period of underperformance on the pitch, and we listened carefully to the strong arguments put forward by the FAB in favour of a freeze. However, the club has decided that it would not be right to keep prices unchanged while costs rise and the club continues to face financial issues.
“We appreciate the loyal and patient support of our fans, and particularly our season-ticket holders who represent the core of our match‑going support base.
“We understand the importance of their backing for the team and have worked hard to come up with a pricing package that is fair and reasonable. We have kept the increase to the lowest possible level and protected our youngest season‑ticket holders from any rises, while ensuring the club remains financially strong enough to invest in improving the team.”
The rise has been strongly criticised in a statement from the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST), who describe the news as “hard to stomach” in the context of everything else.
“We acknowledge that Jim Ratcliffe has put money into the club, while also meeting fans. But while he is right that the club is in terrible shape on and off the pitch, the idea that United must get its financial house in order essentially overnight is a choice.
“Our owners – and here we are looking squarely at the Glazers – put us in this position, and it is they who should be putting their hands in their pockets to help get us out of it.
“The idea that fans should pay for the Glazers’ ownership and errors on top of the thousands that we already pay to loyally follow the team is frankly offensive.”
In a further bid to raise income, United are reported to have decided that areas situated by the home and away benches should by converted into premium hospitality seating. It means that existing season ticket holders located there will be forcibly given new seats somewhere else.
