Open Letter on Season Tickets and Pricing | Club announce price freeze on "general admission season tickets & PL match tickets" for next season (p163)

[BringBackSwales]

They are only bothered about the next game, and selling it for as much as they can. Cutting prices is the main way of match day revenue taking a hit.

It won't count as a strike according to what the club say, but I imagine it would have to be left on until the 3 hour window closes.

In the good old days once the ST holder got to 16 the concession light no longer came on, even if an U16 ST.

What’s the 3 hour window Corky?

 

[Corky]

What’s the 3 hour window Corky?

When they are all taken off sale by the club 3 hrs prior to kick-off.

 

[kippax_blueboy]

Not just Football Clubs chasing overseas cash, it's University's too. City need to be careful. The overseas fans wont be there forever but we will be.
How did the University of South Wales (USW) lose its way?

While Cardiff University / Prifysgol Caerdydd’s financial struggles have dominated the headlines, the challenges facing USW are just as serious and and potentially more revealing of deeper issues in the higher education sector.

The Vice Chancellor at USW recently announced a £20 million deficit resulting in up to 350 jobs being lost or put at risk having adopted a high-risk strategy that prioritised international recruitment over its local mission.

Between 2021 and 2024, income from international students rose from £19m to £56m - a 195% increase.
Nigerian student numbers grew from 70 in 2018 to over 2,000 by 2023, accounting for 30% of USW’s international cohort.
When UK visa rules changed to restrict dependents, international student recruitment fell 50% especially from countries such as Nigeria where students brought their families with them.

Meanwhile, USW was also losing its core base of UK students:

Between 2019-2024, income from UK and EU full-time students dropped from £104m to £84m - a 24% fall.
In the last academic year, UK student numbers fell by 3,500, an 18% decline, compared to a 4% drop across other Welsh universities.
In 2014, while 32% of students from South East Wales studied at USW, by 2024, that figure had fallen to 20%, a loss of 5,000 local learners.

Despite this, the university continued to channel investment into international recruitment:

International scholarships rose from £1.5m in 2018–19 to £9.8m in 2022–23 whilst support for home students was only £837,000.
Overseas agent fees rose by £6.2m in a single year, suggesting as much as £20m may have been spent on international recruitment services.

This was not just a financial misjudgement but a conscious strategic decision that moved USW away from its original purpose.

Can you imagine the difference that £9.8m would have made to those local students who, as the Vice Chancellor admitted to a Senedd Committee recently, must work part-time to be able to afford to attend USW? What could the millions of pounds spent on overseas agents have done to help those from some of the most deprived communities attend their local university?

So what now?

If is to rediscover its original mission, USW must change its strategy by

Rebuilding trust with local communities and strengthen outreach to schools and colleges
Working with regional employers to align courses with real job opportunities
Rebalancing recruitment efforts to support and attracting more local students, particularly those from the Valleys.

If USW’s leadership had focused more on addressing the decade-long fall in UK student numbers rather than risking everything on their international strategy, then perhaps it wouldn’t be in the dire financial position it currently finds itself in.

But they didn’t and now, the consequences - for students, staff, and the communities USW was meant to serve - will be felt for years to come.

 

[doobyedoobye]

They are only bothered about the next game, and selling it for as much as they can. Cutting prices is the main way of match day revenue taking a hit.

If attendances start to drop they will have no choice..

 

[I'm not really here]

If attendances start to drop they will have no choice..

Yep, think the problem is not just with city, is that the higher ups seem to have convinced themselves that the demand to watch city or any of the other clubs is higher than it actually is, so they seem to be in a supply and demand pricing strategy

 

[Oldtraffordblue1]

And also make sure they understand that the fans are on the frontline of the 115 charges battle. We have to put up with being labelled chests all the time - so don’t fucking destroy the soul of the club entirely.
It was summed up in as small way when I was going to the Feyernoord game and started talking to the blue next to me who it turned out had watched us everywhere in about 50 stadiums (he must have been 70 or so) and said his wife left him 10 years ago due to his love of City.
Fast forward to the Real game and talking to the lad next to me who had come as a Real fanboy and asked me is £150 the normal price and did I pay that?
To which I relied my friend of over 40 years gave me his ticket as he couldn’t go

If I was City and we got a load of compensation (not legal costs) I would use at least half to reduce season and non hospitality match day prices - we could then thank all the fans who had been calling us cheats for helping us see our team for cheaper - City win big on PR and we at least get something back for having defended our club for the past several years!

 

[Jazzyblue]

I know a few blues that don't even bother checking the ticket site now. They've accepted they are priced out and would only go if you offered them a ticket. The clubs done that, not that they care.

I made exactly this point multiple times at City Matters. What was the strategy for ensuring the next generation would be regular attendees at games, rather than watching on TV?

I talked about, and passed on to the club, a study that had been done on this topic in MLB. The finding was that by getting youngsters involved in playing the sport early, and getting them to games regularly they then become your hardcore fans as they get older.

Clever marketing sucks people in to being regular users of products or services. How often do we see introductory offers for things that are too attractive to ignore? Liverpool offers £9 tickets to under-16s. That means a father and two kids can attend a game at Anfield for £79 for the three of them, and that's the best seats. The same on Wednesday night v Leicester would be closer to £120. Looking at the ticketing website there's 2,000 unsold tickets in the three Level 3 stands alone.

This is one of the things that worries me most. The club don't seem to realise that you can't guarantee that the future "legacy" fan will always WANT to go to Premier League football in large numbers. At the moment you could say there's future "legacy" fans waiting to get in, but but how many of these are the relatives of existing matchgoing Blues or fans of individual players? My lad plays a lot of under-13s football around Greater Manchester and knows a lot of kids who support City and United. But the number who actually attend the match regularly is very small. The Rag fans have basically given up on the idea, either because their parents can't get tickets or because their parents find going depressing. The City fans still have a chance but for how much longer? What happens when they accept they've been priced out or just separate the idea of support from matchgoing...permanently?

These days you've got lots of YouTubers, from Goldbridge down, who have normalised the idea that you don't even have to want to go the stadium - football is something to be watched on telly, tweeted about online, sampled in little bits in YouTube takes, played on a console, you don't have to experience it live to feel properly part of a community of fans at all anymore, just watch the watchalong and jump on the YouTube comments afterwards. And PL football is digging its own grave with this and all, with games being moved around for TV, every club with its own channel, the blackout in danger and clubs putting more time into building the "online fanbase" than they put into keeping the matchgoing fanbase happy, even though without the matchgoing fanbase the game isn't as exciting, as we all saw during the Covid season.

At the same time as all that, those who really want the buzz can go to lower league and have an old school experience - decide on the day, go without parents or grandparents, stand with their mates, make a noise and have a day of chips, cans and mischief - for half the price or less of what we're asking for at a time when a lot of young people don't have Saturday jobs and don't have cash to burn. I've said it before, but who could have imagined 30 years ago that going to the cinema, shopping malls or buying CDs/records/tapes would be in decline? Anything can become old hat if it can't or won't futureproof itself.

 

[Edghill OG]

This is one of the things that worries me most. The club don't seem to realise that you can't guarantee that the future "legacy" fan will always WANT to go to Premier League football in large numbers. At the moment you could say there's future "legacy" fans waiting to get in, but but how many of these are the relatives of existing matchgoing Blues or fans of individual players? My lad plays a lot of under-13s football around Greater Manchester and knows a lot of kids who support City and United. But the number who actually attend the match regularly is very small. The Rag fans have basically given up on the idea, either because their parents can't get tickets or because their parents find going depressing. The City fans still have a chance but for how much longer? What happens when they accept they've been priced out or just separate the idea of support from matchgoing...permanently?

These days you've got lots of YouTubers, from Goldbridge down, who have normalised the idea that you don't even have to want to go the stadium - football is something to be watched on telly, tweeted about online, sampled in little bits in YouTube takes, played on a console, you don't have to experience it live to feel properly part of a community of fans at all anymore, just watch the watchalong and jump on the YouTube comments afterwards. And PL football is digging its own grave with this and all, with games being moved around for TV, every club with its own channel, the blackout in danger and clubs putting more time into building the "online fanbase" than they put into keeping the matchgoing fanbase happy, even though without the matchgoing fanbase the game isn't as exciting, as we all saw during the Covid season.

At the same time as all that, those who really want the buzz can go to lower league and have an old school experience - decide on the day, go without parents or grandparents, stand with their mates, make a noise and have a day of chips, cans and mischief - for half the price or less of what we're asking for at a time when a lot of young people don't have Saturday jobs and don't have cash to burn. I've said it before, but who could have imagined 30 years ago that going to the cinema, shopping malls or buying CDs/records/tapes would be in decline? Anything can become old hat if it can't or won't futureproof itself.

Slightly off topic, but I think it's quite pertinent and sort of alludes to Prestwich's comment. I'm originally from Cumbria and growing up all my classmates were Utd or Liverpool fans apart from myself and one of my mates. My step-father had a season ticket at Maine Road and he took me along with him. My mate (the only other person that didn't support either of the red scum) was a Newcastle fan. Surprise, surprise we were the only two people in the class that actually went to watch live games. We'd even go and watch Morecambe who were non-league at the time if we didn't have a home fixture ourselves.

We don't speak that often any more, but I messaged him when they beat the dippers in the league cup final. He replied back with images from Wembley and he is a season ticket holder at the barcodes. In the meantime I'm still not sure any of my old classmates have EVER been to a live game. I worry this is what is starting to happen in Manchester itself. That not going to the game is just the norm.

 

[kippaxkid74]

Slightly off topic, but I think it's quite pertinent and sort of alludes to Prestwich's comment. I'm originally from Cumbria and growing up all my classmates were Utd or Liverpool fans apart from myself and one of my mates. My step-father had a season ticket at Maine Road and he took me along with him. My mate (the only other person that didn't support either of the red scum) was a Newcastle fan. Surprise, surprise we were the only two people in the class that actually went to watch live games. We'd even go and watch Morecambe who were non-league at the time if we didn't have a home fixture ourselves.

We don't speak that often any more, but I messaged him when they beat the dippers in the league cup final. He replied back with images from Wembley and he is a season ticket holder at the barcodes. In the meantime I'm still not sure any of my old classmates have EVER been to a live game. I worry this is what is starting to happen in Manchester itself. That not going to the game is just the norm.

my son took over my mum's season ticket two years ago when she died, and he's the only kid in his school who has a season ticket with anyone - or even goes, and the thing that bugs me even more is that no one cares that he goes! To the rest of the 8 year olds in his year football is watching the telly, they don't even think of going, and in my day if a kid went to a game at my school it was like "wow", now it's "meh whatever, did you see so and so on the tv match last night".

my son loves coming with me, and city need to hook kids into the match day addiction. As well as of course making it where you can afford to take them.

 

[manclad]

my son took over my mum's season ticket two years ago when she died, and he's the only kid in his school who has a season ticket with anyone - or even goes, and the thing that bugs me even more is that no one cares that he goes! To the rest of the 8 year olds in his year football is watching the telly, they don't even think of going, and in my days if a kid went to a game at my school it was like "wow", now it's "meh whatever, did you see so and so on the tv match last night".

my son loves coming with me, and city need to hook kids into the match day addiction. As well as if course making it where you can afford to take them.

Great post KK74.
Let's hope that some of the directors at City realize that they are alienating the core/ legacy fans and decide to reverse the decisions they have made in the last few years.

 

[ysmsa]

Slightly off topic, but I think it's quite pertinent and sort of alludes to Prestwich's comment. I'm originally from Cumbria and growing up all my classmates were Utd or Liverpool fans apart from myself and one of my mates. My step-father had a season ticket at Maine Road and he took me along with him. My mate (the only other person that didn't support either of the red scum) was a Newcastle fan. Surprise, surprise we were the only two people in the class that actually went to watch live games. We'd even go and watch Morecambe who were non-league at the time if we didn't have a home fixture ourselves.

We don't speak that often any more, but I messaged him when they beat the dippers in the league cup final. He replied back with images from Wembley and he is a season ticket holder at the barcodes. In the meantime I'm still not sure any of my old classmates have EVER been to a live game. I worry this is what is starting to happen in Manchester itself. That not going to the game is just the norm.

Good Post.

I think it's people in general, there are lots of people nowadays who don't do anything. I mean, they even have fast food delivered to their houses cos they can't be arsed going out.

I also think the cost of living will have a huge impact.

It has now become accepted for corporations, services, businesses, LA and Central Government etc etc to hike prices way above inflation, there is hardly a whimper about it.

I dread to think how much more we will be paying just to live from April, the price hikes are preposterous.

How many people won't have money for expensive football tickets?

 

[BertM19]

Wednesday's protest isn't just about Viagogo, it's also our last opportunity to make our voices heard on all ticketing issues before City Matters finally have that meeting with the club.

9minute concourse wait after kick-off, or if you don't fancy that there's a peaceful demo outside the Colin Bell statue at 7pm. Or both if you want!

The actions might not be your ideal way to protest, but we've all been whinging all season and now we have a chance to do something about it - hope all Blues can come together and back it..

 

[Edghill OG]

Good Post.

I think it's people in general, there are lots of people nowadays who don't do anything. I mean, they even have fast food delivered to their houses cos they can't be arsed going out.

I also think the cost of living will have a huge impact.

It has now become accepted for corporations, services, businesses, LA and Central Government etc etc to hike prices way above inflation, there is hardly a whimper about it.

I dread to think how much more we will be paying just to live from April, the price hikes are preposterous.

How many people won't have money for expensive football tickets?

Yep, football has an opportunity to be different and still be affordable and give the working classes something to enjoy. Instead they're probably the worst culprits and cashing in at every opportunity.

I went to the semi-final in Madrid under Pellegrini and got tickets from a relatives friend in the home end. Maybe since then their fans have been getting their own back on that score! This is coming up to 10 years ago now and the face value for those tickets even then were in excess of 175 Euro each!! Fortunately I didn't pay that and it came off somebody's bonus account. Those prices are obviously considered normal for the likes of Soriano from Spain and shows a clear misunderstanding of English football culture.

I don't blame people that can afford to go that don't bother either. A complete headache buying tickets, poor atmosphere, overpriced, minimum games restrictions, generally have to sit by themselves if they win the lottery of getting tickets (big games). Then when they get to the stadium only to see groups of people that haven't met the criteria sat together and surrounded by muppets with camera phones, empty seats, youtubers, half and half scarves and away fans. It's like they're purposefully trying to make the whole experience not very enjoyable for the 'legacy' fan.

 

[Quinny851]

Not true. Depends who you think the club is. As an example Pep, our best manager ever, is very aware how important the loud support of the home crowd is. He may not have joined all the dots re why it’s getting worse I grant you

We're all aware of how important the home crowd is but he's not the one in charge of the finances. However, he does reap the rewards when a ticket is exchanged via the club which they then resell as "hospitality" which includes a meal at a restaurant he's invested in with Soriano & Txiki.

If he or the club cared really cared about local support and their importance, why aren't new season tickets being made available and why aren't members with Manchester postcodes offered discounted tickets like Liverpool do?

 

[BringBackSwales]

We're all aware of how important the home crowd is but he's not the one in charge of the finances. However, he does reap the rewards when a ticket is exchanged via the club which they then resell as "hospitality" which includes a meal at a restaurant he's invested in with Soriano & Txiki.

If he or the club cared really cared about local support and their importance, why aren't new season tickets being made available and why aren't members with Manchester postcodes offered discounted tickets like Liverpool do?

You’d have to ask that to Soriano etc as I don’t know. If you’re suggesting that Pep is motivated by extra covers in his restaurant I am pretty sure he isn’t like that

 

[BertM19]

Pep saying in the presser here that he prefers supporters to "not be passive", in support of tomorrow's action.

He fully gets stuff like this, shame that it seems like the club didn't let him know about it at all - similar to the 2023 Community Shield game when the players were boggled at how bad the crowd was.

 

[Quinny851]

You’d have to ask that to Soriano etc as I don’t know. If you’re suggesting that Pep is motivated by extra covers in his restaurant I am pretty sure he isn’t like that

No, I'm not saying that. But Pep's call for a better atmosphere is directed at the wrong group of people. Instead of throwing his arms in the air trying to drum up support, maybe he should speak to his mates who are actively pricing out the loyal and local fans who have been behind the club through everything.

Instead, they want "supporters" with bags full from the club shop, gourmet meals in their hands, watching the match through their phones.

 

[blue44]

 

[Jazzyblue]

Yep, football has an opportunity to be different and still be affordable and give the working classes something to enjoy. Instead they're probably the worst culprits and cashing in at every opportunity.

I went to the semi-final in Madrid under Pellegrini and got tickets from a relatives friend in the home end. Maybe since then their fans have been getting their own back on that score! This is coming up to 10 years ago now and the face value for those tickets even then were in excess of 175 Euro each!! Fortunately I didn't pay that and it came off somebody's bonus account. Those prices are obviously considered normal for the likes of Soriano from Spain and shows a clear misunderstanding of English football culture.

I don't blame people that can afford to go that don't bother either. A complete headache buying tickets, poor atmosphere, overpriced, minimum games restrictions, generally have to sit by themselves if they win the lottery of getting tickets (big games). Then when they get to the stadium only to see groups of people that haven't met the criteria sat together and surrounded by muppets with camera phones, empty seats, youtubers, half and half scarves and away fans. It's like they're purposefully trying to make the whole experience not very enjoyable for the 'legacy' fan.

Good Post.

I think it's people in general, there are lots of people nowadays who don't do anything. I mean, they even have fast food delivered to their houses cos they can't be arsed going out.

I also think the cost of living will have a huge impact.

It has now become accepted for corporations, services, businesses, LA and Central Government etc etc to hike prices way above inflation, there is hardly a whimper about it.

I dread to think how much more we will be paying just to live from April, the price hikes are preposterous.

How many people won't have money for expensive football tickets?

Bang on. It's sad because I feel like going to the match can be good for mental health, particularly blokes (as long as you're not overdoing it on the beer/substances/anger). But that's because I'm fortunate enough to have reached the point where I can afford it and not have to regret going whatever the result or atmosphere. Take that away from some lads and they'll stay in the house with a firestick, cans, they can do their bets on the phone and have a bit of gear and vape/smoke to their hearts content, but there's none of the social benefits, none of the fresh air, none of the exercise or the camaraderie you can get on a matchday. Everything's either expensive or digital these days, and it's trapping people inside and doing them in.

 

[BringBackSwales]

No, I'm not saying that. But Pep's call for a better atmosphere is directed at the wrong group of people. Instead of throwing his arms in the air trying to drum up support, maybe he should speak to his mates who are actively pricing out the loyal and local fans who have been behind the club through everything.

Instead, they want "supporters" with bags full from the club shop, gourmet meals in their hands, watching the match through their phones.

That was my point really - as I said Pep may not have joined up the dots as to why the atmosphere has diminished but the answer is Soriano etc