OT ticket price hikes for rest of season

I’m becoming more and more tired of football.
 
Speako said:
MUST Update:

MUST UPDATE ON CLUB’S £66 TICKET PLANS

  • CLUB BACK DOWN ON SUPPORTERS' CLUB BRANCHES IMPACT
  • MUST SURVEY SHOWS SCALE OF FANS DISCONTENT
  • PRESSURE NOW ON CLUB TO REVERSE KIDS PRICES
We wanted to update you on progress in the campaign against the Club’s plans — now implemented — to charge a flat price of £66 to all Members for tickets for the remaining matches of this season. This price will be the same for adults, kids and seniors, and the same wherever you are in the ground.

Since the decision was revealed a week ago, there has been a huge outcry from supporters and in the media. MUST joined the FC58, TRA and other supporters groups including Everton fans, in a protest on Sunday, along with media appearances raising the profile of the issue. On Monday, we met with the Club to discuss the issue through the Fans Advisory Board on which we have membership. This followed direct discussions with MUST and club staff which had preceded that meeting and have continued since to progress reconsideration of the matter.

Club backs down on supporters club branches
We have pressed hard on the effect on all fans in the discussions we have had. Overall, the Club is standing firm in its position, except for in how it relates to Supporters Club Branches where they have reformed how it will be implemented.

MUST has brought together a community of around 150 official supporters clubs (and still growing) which has been invaluable in many ways, including enabling branches to communicate with each other directly and share issues and solutions. The group has also helped us better represent branches to the club.

A new branches subgroup of the Fans Forum has also just been formed, composed of Branch Secretaries, some FF members as well as MUST reps with branch connections or roles. This group engaged with the club on the £66 issue and was supported by MUST with direct dialogue to progress to a decision. This proved a winning formula: the club confirmed that branch allocations of members’ tickets would not be repriced to a flat rate of £66 for future matches this season.

While this is a huge relief for branches, the core problem remains. We strongly disagree with the rationale behind this price hike. While we recognize the financial pressures the Club faces, seeking additional funds through ticket price increases is short-sighted and risks doing more harm than good, both in the short- and long-term.

MUST survey shows scale of discontent
More than 4000 of you have participated (thus far, it is still live) in our recent survey on this issue and your voice is loud, clear and near-unanimous. There is a live survey dashboard linked here for those interested in the detail and comments, but the headlines are as follows:

  • 68% of fans will attend fewer games, one way or another
  • 97% think the changes will alienate the next generation of fans
  • 65% are unhappy with the ownership and management of the Club, against only 12% who are happy
  • The most common words people associate with the decision are ‘disappointed’, ‘angry’ and ‘exploited’. Only 3% of fans are ‘understanding’ of the decision.
  • 99% of fans think it is important that the Club consult properly with supporter representatives before making any further changes to ticketing.
Pressure now to reverse kids prices decision
The recent hike in member ticket prices, particularly for children, is by far the most unpopular decision the Club has made since the partial ownership change earlier this year. It has created a significant rift with the fanbase, and the Club must act urgently to repair the damage.

The steep increase for kids’ tickets, which have more than doubled to £66 in many cases, is especially damaging. For a parent and child to attend a match, the cost is now £132—roughly double what it was before. This places a heavy financial burden on families and risks alienating young supporters, the very future of the Club’s support.

In our discussions and campaigns, we will prioritize this issue and urge the Club to reconsider. This is not just about fairness; it’s about the long-term sustainability of the Club’s relationship with its fans. Pricing out children harms the pipeline of future supporters and ultimately undermines the Club’s own commercial interests.

The bond between a football club and its fans is unique—far beyond a simple business-customer transaction. It’s a source of immense value, driving loyalty, matchday atmosphere, additional spending by fans and sponsorship appeal too. When nurtured, this relationship delivers financial and emotional rewards for both the Club and its supporters. For match going fans the way the club approaches pricing of tickets is fundamental to the perception of that relationship. If fans feel the club is exploiting that loyalty through ticket price rises they can quickly destroy the huge added value of supporter loyalty at the stroke of an accountant’s pen. Then a short term revenue increase becomes a much greater long term loss.

Preparing for next year
Finally, we share the concern that so many have expressed, namely that this change could be the “thin end of the wedge” and that there is a risk of worse to come. We will do everything in our power — directly with the club and as members of the Fan Advisory Board and Fans Forum — to protect ticket prices and ensure ticket policies are designed to appreciate fans, not punish them. This is in the best interests of our Football Club too and it is our job to ensure the senior management and owners share this crucial understanding. The lack of consultation around this change can’t be repeated, and we are actively pressing the club to remember its commitments.

Many thanks for your continued support
Click to expand...
At least there has been a partial uturn from the club but only for Supporters Clubs and the main issue of kids tickets still remains


People should fill out the survey as it gives fan groups more power to discuss with club
 
Speako said:
MUST Update:

MUST UPDATE ON CLUB’S £66 TICKET PLANS

  • CLUB BACK DOWN ON SUPPORTERS' CLUB BRANCHES IMPACT
  • MUST SURVEY SHOWS SCALE OF FANS DISCONTENT
  • PRESSURE NOW ON CLUB TO REVERSE KIDS PRICES
We wanted to update you on progress in the campaign against the Club’s plans — now implemented — to charge a flat price of £66 to all Members for tickets for the remaining matches of this season. This price will be the same for adults, kids and seniors, and the same wherever you are in the ground.

Since the decision was revealed a week ago, there has been a huge outcry from supporters and in the media. MUST joined the FC58, TRA and other supporters groups including Everton fans, in a protest on Sunday, along with media appearances raising the profile of the issue. On Monday, we met with the Club to discuss the issue through the Fans Advisory Board on which we have membership. This followed direct discussions with MUST and club staff which had preceded that meeting and have continued since to progress reconsideration of the matter.

Club backs down on supporters club branches
We have pressed hard on the effect on all fans in the discussions we have had. Overall, the Club is standing firm in its position, except for in how it relates to Supporters Club Branches where they have reformed how it will be implemented.

MUST has brought together a community of around 150 official supporters clubs (and still growing) which has been invaluable in many ways, including enabling branches to communicate with each other directly and share issues and solutions. The group has also helped us better represent branches to the club.

A new branches subgroup of the Fans Forum has also just been formed, composed of Branch Secretaries, some FF members as well as MUST reps with branch connections or roles. This group engaged with the club on the £66 issue and was supported by MUST with direct dialogue to progress to a decision. This proved a winning formula: the club confirmed that branch allocations of members’ tickets would not be repriced to a flat rate of £66 for future matches this season.

While this is a huge relief for branches, the core problem remains. We strongly disagree with the rationale behind this price hike. While we recognize the financial pressures the Club faces, seeking additional funds through ticket price increases is short-sighted and risks doing more harm than good, both in the short- and long-term.

MUST survey shows scale of discontent
More than 4000 of you have participated (thus far, it is still live) in our recent survey on this issue and your voice is loud, clear and near-unanimous. There is a live survey dashboard linked here for those interested in the detail and comments, but the headlines are as follows:

  • 68% of fans will attend fewer games, one way or another
  • 97% think the changes will alienate the next generation of fans
  • 65% are unhappy with the ownership and management of the Club, against only 12% who are happy
  • The most common words people associate with the decision are ‘disappointed’, ‘angry’ and ‘exploited’. Only 3% of fans are ‘understanding’ of the decision.
  • 99% of fans think it is important that the Club consult properly with supporter representatives before making any further changes to ticketing.
Pressure now to reverse kids prices decision
The recent hike in member ticket prices, particularly for children, is by far the most unpopular decision the Club has made since the partial ownership change earlier this year. It has created a significant rift with the fanbase, and the Club must act urgently to repair the damage.

The steep increase for kids’ tickets, which have more than doubled to £66 in many cases, is especially damaging. For a parent and child to attend a match, the cost is now £132—roughly double what it was before. This places a heavy financial burden on families and risks alienating young supporters, the very future of the Club’s support.

In our discussions and campaigns, we will prioritize this issue and urge the Club to reconsider. This is not just about fairness; it’s about the long-term sustainability of the Club’s relationship with its fans. Pricing out children harms the pipeline of future supporters and ultimately undermines the Club’s own commercial interests.

The bond between a football club and its fans is unique—far beyond a simple business-customer transaction. It’s a source of immense value, driving loyalty, matchday atmosphere, additional spending by fans and sponsorship appeal too. When nurtured, this relationship delivers financial and emotional rewards for both the Club and its supporters. For match going fans the way the club approaches pricing of tickets is fundamental to the perception of that relationship. If fans feel the club is exploiting that loyalty through ticket price rises they can quickly destroy the huge added value of supporter loyalty at the stroke of an accountant’s pen. Then a short term revenue increase becomes a much greater long term loss.

Preparing for next year
Finally, we share the concern that so many have expressed, namely that this change could be the “thin end of the wedge” and that there is a risk of worse to come. We will do everything in our power — directly with the club and as members of the Fan Advisory Board and Fans Forum — to protect ticket prices and ensure ticket policies are designed to appreciate fans, not punish them. This is in the best interests of our Football Club too and it is our job to ensure the senior management and owners share this crucial understanding. The lack of consultation around this change can’t be repeated, and we are actively pressing the club to remember its commitments.

Many thanks for your continued support
Click to expand...
I absolutely think the prices for OAPS and children are crazy, but this survey is meaningless. Do you think people would be happy with a price increase?
 
Speako said:
MUST Update:

MUST UPDATE ON CLUB’S £66 TICKET PLANS

  • CLUB BACK DOWN ON SUPPORTERS' CLUB BRANCHES IMPACT
  • MUST SURVEY SHOWS SCALE OF FANS DISCONTENT
  • PRESSURE NOW ON CLUB TO REVERSE KIDS PRICES
We wanted to update you on progress in the campaign against the Club’s plans — now implemented — to charge a flat price of £66 to all Members for tickets for the remaining matches of this season. This price will be the same for adults, kids and seniors, and the same wherever you are in the ground.

Since the decision was revealed a week ago, there has been a huge outcry from supporters and in the media. MUST joined the FC58, TRA and other supporters groups including Everton fans, in a protest on Sunday, along with media appearances raising the profile of the issue. On Monday, we met with the Club to discuss the issue through the Fans Advisory Board on which we have membership. This followed direct discussions with MUST and club staff which had preceded that meeting and have continued since to progress reconsideration of the matter.

Club backs down on supporters club branches
We have pressed hard on the effect on all fans in the discussions we have had. Overall, the Club is standing firm in its position, except for in how it relates to Supporters Club Branches where they have reformed how it will be implemented.

MUST has brought together a community of around 150 official supporters clubs (and still growing) which has been invaluable in many ways, including enabling branches to communicate with each other directly and share issues and solutions. The group has also helped us better represent branches to the club.

A new branches subgroup of the Fans Forum has also just been formed, composed of Branch Secretaries, some FF members as well as MUST reps with branch connections or roles. This group engaged with the club on the £66 issue and was supported by MUST with direct dialogue to progress to a decision. This proved a winning formula: the club confirmed that branch allocations of members’ tickets would not be repriced to a flat rate of £66 for future matches this season.

While this is a huge relief for branches, the core problem remains. We strongly disagree with the rationale behind this price hike. While we recognize the financial pressures the Club faces, seeking additional funds through ticket price increases is short-sighted and risks doing more harm than good, both in the short- and long-term.

MUST survey shows scale of discontent
More than 4000 of you have participated (thus far, it is still live) in our recent survey on this issue and your voice is loud, clear and near-unanimous. There is a live survey dashboard linked here for those interested in the detail and comments, but the headlines are as follows:

  • 68% of fans will attend fewer games, one way or another
  • 97% think the changes will alienate the next generation of fans
  • 65% are unhappy with the ownership and management of the Club, against only 12% who are happy
  • The most common words people associate with the decision are ‘disappointed’, ‘angry’ and ‘exploited’. Only 3% of fans are ‘understanding’ of the decision.
  • 99% of fans think it is important that the Club consult properly with supporter representatives before making any further changes to ticketing.
Pressure now to reverse kids prices decision
The recent hike in member ticket prices, particularly for children, is by far the most unpopular decision the Club has made since the partial ownership change earlier this year. It has created a significant rift with the fanbase, and the Club must act urgently to repair the damage.

The steep increase for kids’ tickets, which have more than doubled to £66 in many cases, is especially damaging. For a parent and child to attend a match, the cost is now £132—roughly double what it was before. This places a heavy financial burden on families and risks alienating young supporters, the very future of the Club’s support.

In our discussions and campaigns, we will prioritize this issue and urge the Club to reconsider. This is not just about fairness; it’s about the long-term sustainability of the Club’s relationship with its fans. Pricing out children harms the pipeline of future supporters and ultimately undermines the Club’s own commercial interests.

The bond between a football club and its fans is unique—far beyond a simple business-customer transaction. It’s a source of immense value, driving loyalty, matchday atmosphere, additional spending by fans and sponsorship appeal too. When nurtured, this relationship delivers financial and emotional rewards for both the Club and its supporters. For match going fans the way the club approaches pricing of tickets is fundamental to the perception of that relationship. If fans feel the club is exploiting that loyalty through ticket price rises they can quickly destroy the huge added value of supporter loyalty at the stroke of an accountant’s pen. Then a short term revenue increase becomes a much greater long term loss.

Preparing for next year
Finally, we share the concern that so many have expressed, namely that this change could be the “thin end of the wedge” and that there is a risk of worse to come. We will do everything in our power — directly with the club and as members of the Fan Advisory Board and Fans Forum — to protect ticket prices and ensure ticket policies are designed to appreciate fans, not punish them. This is in the best interests of our Football Club too and it is our job to ensure the senior management and owners share this crucial understanding. The lack of consultation around this change can’t be repeated, and we are actively pressing the club to remember its commitments.

Many thanks for your continued support
Click to expand...
Am I right in thinking the ‘supporters clubs’ are the ones from Europe and beyond that they celebrate birthdays for before a game?

How do they get the reduced rates but local fans don’t!?
 
It was interesting looking at the queue for the ticket drop this week, 10am less than 3000 in the queue normally would 50k plus. The price rise is bitterley disapointing I take my son who is 5 he's hooked on United, and now unless this changes we're priced out I cannot justify spending 132 quid. I think this will be the thin end of the wedge if INEOS back down on this it won't be back to the previous concession prices.
 
U-N-I-T-E-D said:
Am I right in thinking the ‘supporters clubs’ are the ones from Europe and beyond that they celebrate birthdays for before a game?

How do they get the reduced rates but local fans don’t!?
Click to expand...
There are Supporters Clubs in England and other parts of UK too
 
Rood said:
There are Supporters Clubs in England and other parts of UK too
Click to expand...
Still. I have friends that struggle to get tickets that live 5-10 mins from the ground. Not only that but if they manage to find some now they’re £66
 
Apologies for butting into something that is very sensitive and I have little knowledge about but I have to ask this question. I wonder what local fans would think if a two tier ticket system is implemented

a- the normal season ticket (were these ticket price increases are applied)
b- a cheaper season ticket is issued but it can't be transferred unless a huge fee payment is made. Tickets must also be booked 48 hours before or else penalties apply (thus it would give the club the chance of selling those tickets to others if you're not using it)

In my opinion that would be fairer for local fans who regularly watch live football and it would improve the atmosphere at OT. It would be to the deterrence of many people who are making a killing through 'renting' their tickets to third parties.

Please don't shoot the enquirer.
 
PeteJD said:
It was interesting looking at the queue for the ticket drop this week, 10am less than 3000 in the queue normally would 50k plus. The price rise is bitterley disapointing I take my son who is 5 he's hooked on United, and now unless this changes we're priced out I cannot justify spending 132 quid. I think this will be the thin end of the wedge if INEOS back down on this it won't be back to the previous concession prices.
Click to expand...
This is a real shame. People like your lad are the fans of the future. If you can no longer afford to take him (and I don't blame you at those prices), he could easily lose interest in United and go and support some other team.
 
U-N-I-T-E-D said:
Still. I have friends that struggle to get tickets that live 5-10 mins from the ground. Not only that but if they manage to find some now they’re £66
Click to expand...

Ye I get you - the backtrack from the club on Supporters Clubs does nothing for the most local fans who won't belong to one

As I mentioned here before, the new higher price makes getting forwarded tickets from current ST holders much more valuable as you get the prices from the start of the season - for many games tickets are available at around £40 in the ticket exchange thread on here, direct your friends there

There are also lots of Facebook groups for similar ticket exchange, although you have to be more careful as scammers also try to take advantage there
 
Rood said:
Ye I get you - the backtrack from the club on Supporters Clubs does nothing for the most local fans who won't belong to one

As I mentioned here before, the new higher price makes getting forwarded tickets from current ST holders much more valuable as you get the prices from the start of the season - for many games tickets are available at around £40 in the ticket exchange thread on here, direct your friends there

There are also lots of Facebook groups for similar ticket exchange, although you have to be more careful as scammers also try to take advantage there
Click to expand...
The bit in bold is interesting. Wasn't the (perceived anyway) reason for the move to the official app to try and stop all the touts and ticket scams?

On a sidenote relating to the first point you made, it's sad that local supporters groups aren't really a thing anymore.

When I lived in Prestwich in 2014, our local one was great. They used to regularly organise nights in local pubs with former players. Was a good way for people to meet other reds. Especially great for some of the older lads who were often a bit isolated living on their own.

You'd almost always get sorted for a ticket aswell if you wanted one.
 
MancunianAngels said:
The bit in bold is interesting. Wasn't the (perceived anyway) reason for the move to the official app to try and stop all the touts and ticket scams?

On a sidenote relating to the first point you made, it's sad that local supporters groups aren't really a thing anymore.

When I lived in Prestwich in 2014, our local one was great. They used to regularly organise nights in local pubs with former players. Was a good way for people to meet other reds. Especially great for some of the older lads who were often a bit isolated living on their own.

You'd almost always get sorted for a ticket aswell if you wanted one.
Click to expand...
Actually I just checked and I'm wrong, there are some pretty local Supporters Clubs - several in Cheshire/Lancashire and even a couple in Greater Manchester.

Didn't even realise there is one based in Sale, just down the road from me.

The app does not much to stop touts apart from tracking all transactions
 
Why the feck should people continue to pay these fees for the privilege of watching Marcus Rashford stroll around the pitch with a face like a slapped arse for 90 mins. There should be protests.
 
Blood Mage said:
Why the feck should people continue to pay these fees for the privilege of watching Marcus Rashford stroll around the pitch with a face like a slapped arse for 90 mins. There should be protests.
Click to expand...
That's true. If we have to pay more then don't dare you allow any player, like Rashford, to half arse it.
 
Tom Van Persie said:


Click to expand...


This graph from the article puts Ratcliffe's "I don't think it makes sense that a United ticket should cost less than a Fulham ticket" comment into context:

944a2353fc516c9e801ffdc0d40cdffd03649cd1.png


Fulham are the outlier there, not United.
 
FrankDrebin said:
I guess its not possible to have a owner who isnt a complete cnut
Click to expand...

Genuinely, yes probably. It's near impossible for someone to accumumate the scale of wealth needed to own a club like ours without being a cnut in one way or another.
 
Rood said:
Actually I just checked and I'm wrong, there are some pretty local Supporters Clubs - several in Cheshire/Lancashire and even a couple in Greater Manchester.

Didn't even realise there is one based in Sale, just down the road from me.

The app does not much to stop touts apart from tracking all transactions
Click to expand...

Yeah, it's definitely diminished but they're still about. Was at the Crown Inn in Middleton before and they had a coach going to OT.

Interesting again about the app. Completely pointless exercise aside from forcing 75 year old to get a smartphone.

JoseM4 said:
The atmosphere in the stadium will diminish.
Click to expand...
Yep. At the time, when the players will ultimately need the fans more than ever.
 
Monmouthshire Red said:
This is a real shame. People like your lad are the fans of the future. If you can no longer afford to take him (and I don't blame you at those prices), he could easily lose interest in United and go and support some other team.
Click to expand...
Well according to Jim in UWS we shouldn't be cheaper than fulham a club actively pricing its own fans out. I'm gutted for my lad but hopeful some sort of accomodation can be found, I have coughed up for West Ham but won't next season at that price
 
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