North Stand expansion - seating, ticketing etc

bobbyowenquiff said:
I thought they had been offered good seats (arguably better ones) in the new stand with their old prices fixed for three years.
Click to expand...
I don't know what they've been offered exactly. I did hear that they'd been offered alternative seats that might be construed as being better seats and that the price was fixed for a certain time but that doesn't negate the fact that they'll have to pay a higher price eventually. Either way, they ARE being forced out of their seats regardless of whatever mental gymnastics the likes of @Centurions are referring to. Just like I was forced out of my seat a few years back to make way for larger advertising hoardings in the South Stand. I was allowed a more expensive seat in the SS for the same cheaper price of my old seat but only for a season or two (can't remember how long it was now), then I had to pay the higher price after that.
 
M18CTID said:
I don't know what they've been offered exactly. I did hear that they'd been offered alternative seats that might be construed as being better seats and that the price was fixed for a certain time but that doesn't negate the fact that they'll have to pay a higher price eventually. Either way, they ARE being forced out of their seats regardless of whatever mental gymnastics the likes of @Centurions are referring to. Just like I was forced out of my seat a few years back to make way for larger advertising hoardings in the South Stand. I was allowed a more expensive seat in the SS for the same cheaper price of my old seat but only for a season or two (can't remember how long it was now), then I had to pay the higher price after that.
Click to expand...
I could have sworn it said that if you move to a dearer seat it would be at the old price for 2 seasons, if moving to a more expensive GA seat anywhere in the stadium but the below would indicate either ad infinitum (no, I don't believe that) or presumably, just the 1 season. You could of course relocate after that 1 season if you wished.

The bit about moving to "ample available seats close to them in Level 0" is interesting? They'll get the first priority window to decide what to do, hopefully someone will post just how many seats (together and separate) are available in tier 0 given it's nominally the family stand.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Support for Fans Needing to Relocate

The introduction of City Hall means that a small number of Season Ticket Members in North Stand Level 0 (formerly known as Level 1) may need to move seats ahead of the commencement of the 2026/27 season. No fans will need to move to accommodate Cross Bar.

We understand that relocating seats may be unsettling, and we are here to support these fans. All affected fans have been contacted directly and offered:

  • A priority relocation window to choose any available general admission seat in the stadium. This includes the option to relocate to the expanded North Stand or stay within the ample available seats close to them in Level 0 (formerly known as Level 1).
  • Fans impacted by the change will not need to pay more if they move to a more expensive location.
  • The ability to move together in groups, even if not all members are directly affected.
Next Steps

All ticketing and stadium-related announcements will follow consultation with our elected fan network, City Matters. In early 2026, we will share more details about:

  • Pricing for the 2026/27 season - this will be in advance of Season Ticket Relocates, Renewals and new Season Tickets going on sale.
  • How to express interest in rail seating and new experiences.
  • The release of match-by-match tickets for any matches with the expanded section in operation this season.
We also look forward to sharing further exciting updates about our new museum, fan zone, hotel, and food and beverage spaces, all of which are due to open in late 2026.
 
Centurions said:
I could have sworn it said that if you move to a dearer seat it would be at the old price for 2 seasons, if moving to a more expensive GA seat anywhere in the stadium but the below would indicate either ad infinitum (no, I don't believe that) or presumably, just the 1 season. You could of course relocate after that 1 season if you wished.

The bit about moving to "ample available seats close to them in Level 0" is interesting? They'll get the first priority window to decide what to do, hopefully someone will post just how many seats (together and separate) are available in tier 0 given it's nominally the family stand.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Support for Fans Needing to Relocate

The introduction of City Hall means that a small number of Season Ticket Members in North Stand Level 0 (formerly known as Level 1) may need to move seats ahead of the commencement of the 2026/27 season. No fans will need to move to accommodate Cross Bar.

We understand that relocating seats may be unsettling, and we are here to support these fans. All affected fans have been contacted directly and offered:

  • A priority relocation window to choose any available general admission seat in the stadium. This includes the option to relocate to the expanded North Stand or stay within the ample available seats close to them in Level 0 (formerly known as Level 1).
  • Fans impacted by the change will not need to pay more if they move to a more expensive location.
  • The ability to move together in groups, even if not all members are directly affected.
Next Steps

All ticketing and stadium-related announcements will follow consultation with our elected fan network, City Matters. In early 2026, we will share more details about:

  • Pricing for the 2026/27 season - this will be in advance of Season Ticket Relocates, Renewals and new Season Tickets going on sale.
  • How to express interest in rail seating and new experiences.
  • The release of match-by-match tickets for any matches with the expanded section in operation this season.
We also look forward to sharing further exciting updates about our new museum, fan zone, hotel, and food and beverage spaces, all of which are due to open in late 2026.
Click to expand...
The point I'm making is that they're being forced out of their seats but you claimed they weren't, and you even said in a subsequent post that it was "hyperbole" for saying that fans are being forced out of their seats, despite it being a 100% fact.
 
Donmcfc said:
I'm sure the PL say no to clubs selling tickets in the home seats to away fans but City do it all the time.
Click to expand...
They may sell some corporate seats to neutrals which happens at every stadium in world football but it is rare to see large numbers of away fans in home ends. I can remember Celtic where season ticket holders sold their seats to pals. Apart from that you get a smattering of away fans in home ends. Again this happens everywhere in the world. I have done this scores of times as a City fan myself.
 
M18CTID said:
I don't know what they've been offered exactly. I did hear that they'd been offered alternative seats that might be construed as being better seats and that the price was fixed for a certain time but that doesn't negate the fact that they'll have to pay a higher price eventually. Either way, they ARE being forced out of their seats regardless of whatever mental gymnastics the likes of @Centurions are referring to. Just like I was forced out of my seat a few years back to make way for larger advertising hoardings in the South Stand. I was allowed a more expensive seat in the SS for the same cheaper price of my old seat but only for a season or two (can't remember how long it was now), then I had to pay the higher price after that.
Click to expand...
What do you think the club should do? Stadium development has always happened. It happened at Maine Road numerous times. The offer being made to fans looks reasonable. The way it has been communicated does not look good I agree. The comms to fans are pretty poor generally. But the new facilities will be fantastic and the club is right to keep progressing.
 
M18CTID said:
The point I'm making is that they're being forced out of their seats but you claimed they weren't, and you even said in a subsequent post that it was "hyperbole" for saying that fans are being forced out of their seats, despite it being a 100% fact.
Click to expand...
They're being given options and first choice on what they want to do, so again, that isn't being forced out no matter how many times you repeat it. You, perhaps, were "forced out" as they removed those seats entirely at the front. This is a different scenario entirely.

BTW, it's a block of 500(?) seats and no one knows how many of those are season ticket holders bar the club. How many of them will jump at the chance to move somewhere else (to a more expensive position to see if they like it there?), perhaps to stay in their existing seats if the price and facilities suit or of course to move to tier 1 above them.

If there is a group that want to move together then the club will give priority to them plus any members that aren't within that 500 block.
 
bobbyowenquiff said:
What do you think the club should do? Stadium development has always happened. It happened at Maine Road numerous times. The offer being made to fans looks reasonable. The way it has been communicated does not look good I agree. The comms to fans are pretty poor generally. But the new facilities will be fantastic and the club is right to keep progressing.
Click to expand...
I'm not saying the stadium shouldn't continue to be developed but like you say the communication has been piss poor on this and many other things - like I say, I've been on the receiving end of that previously and it didn't work out for the better either. Fans who are affected by this have every right to ask for a meeting with the club. For me, it's the fact that they were given something like 30 minutes (or less) notice that seriously rankles with me. They'd have known months and months ago that they would have to relocate fans so why not tell them then and give them far more advance notice? Then there are the other issues like sticking GA+ seats slap bang in the middle of a stand that the club are claiming will be an atmosphere stand too. Not to mention the lack of clarity around pricing for those who may wish to relocate from other stands. Stuff like that should've been boxed off and announced long ago.

Instead of listening to me though, perhaps people should watch that YouTube video from last night that was posted a couple of pages back. It's a far better overview of the whole situation than I can give.
 
Centurions said:
They're being given options and first choice on what they want to do, so again, that isn't being forced out no matter how many times you repeat it. You, perhaps, were "forced out" as they removed those seats entirely at the front. This is a different scenario entirely.

BTW, it's a block of 500(?) seats and no one knows how many of those are season ticket holders bar the club. How many of them will jump at the chance to move somewhere else (to a more expensive position to see if they like it there?), perhaps to stay in their existing seats if the price and facilities suit or of course to move to tier 1 above them.

If there is a group that want to move together then the club will give priority to them plus any members that aren't within that 500 block.
Click to expand...
Mate, do yourself a favour - stop fucking gaslighting and just admit that fans are being forced out FFS
 
Centurions said:
Except no one is being "forced out" and there is no way that they would get advance notice as it'd be posted on social media within seconds (which it was BTW). I'm not sure how an email can be other than impersonal?

If they want a talk with the club they're going to have to come up with something better than that.
Click to expand...

I think they well deserve a talk with the club, and hopefully the club welcome the chance to engage with them, as their email suggests in its promise to do all they can to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Agree on the communication and timing, I don't see any other way that could have been handled to that point, in the circumstances. But nothing wrong with then following up with further talks etc.

Also agree that relocations weren't as out of the blue as is suggested, as there was zero chance the approved scheme would not have involved relocations and that was fairly obvious from the start.

What is however a curveball is the location of the seats affected, as that would have generally been presumed to have been the front lines of the upper tier where the GA+ is (if still) going.

Hopefully if they do get the talks, that bit is clarified to people affected, but may likely be NDA'd till the club control how they announce whatever change is involved there.
 
M18CTID said:
I'm finding it difficult to see how anyone can defend this to be honest. I guess some fans think the club should be beyond criticism on absolutely everything.
Click to expand...

Whether you agree or disagree, I struggle to see how you don't see the logic in the timing of the email and announcement. Proper rock and hard place scenario that.

That said, totally agree further talks should be offered/welcomed thereafter. Even if nothing else for appearences, but hopefully way more than that.
 
Last edited:
M18CTID said:
The point I'm making is that they're being forced out of their seats but you claimed they weren't, and you even said in a subsequent post that it was "hyperbole" for saying that fans are being forced out of their seats, despite it being a 100% fact.
Click to expand...
This isn't news though we've known for years ,since the plans were released that some fans would be noved. On the original plans it was 660, now as far as we can tell it's 500. Different seats thanthe original plans but less being moved. Most of these fans could have probably been expected to have been moved years ago unless they still have children with them.
 
Any news on flexi-access tickets for young ones? I spoke to City on Twitter and they said to keep an eye out on the website etc. but I don't want to miss out and not entirely sure what I'm looking for!
 
Coatigan said:
I think they well deserve a talk with the club, and hopefully the club welcome the chance to engage with them, as their email suggests in its promise to do all they can to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Agree on the communication and timing, I don't see any other way that could have been handled to that point, in the circumstances. But nothing wrong with then following up with further talks etc.

Also agree that relocations weren't as out of the blue as is suggested, as there was zero chance the approved scheme would not have involved relocations and that was fairly obvious from the start.

What is however a curveball is the location of the seats affected, as that would have generally been presumed to have been the front lines of the upper tier where the GA+ is (if still) going.

Hopefully if they do get the talks, that bit is clarified to people affected, but may likely be NDA'd till the club control how they announce whatever change is involved there.
Click to expand...
They specifically say that nobody in tier 1 (new numbering) will be affected by The Cross Bar which is all of the existing (in use) seats on the upper tier so they're definitely not going at the front of the tier. I wonder if they've maybe decided to give the front of the tier over to the 1894 banners? That is glass half full thinking mind.


We'll find out eventually if there is any GA+ seats further up (I'd be very surprised if not). I can only think that the City Hall Bar (whatever that may involve) was a much later decision although it's still puzzling as hell.
 
M18CTID said:
I don't know what they've been offered exactly. I did hear that they'd been offered alternative seats that might be construed as being better seats and that the price was fixed for a certain time but that doesn't negate the fact that they'll have to pay a higher price eventually. Either way, they ARE being forced out of their seats regardless of whatever mental gymnastics the likes of @Centurions are referring to. Just like I was forced out of my seat a few years back to make way for larger advertising hoardings in the South Stand. I was allowed a more expensive seat in the SS for the same cheaper price of my old seat but only for a season or two (can't remember how long it was now), then I had to pay the higher price after that.
Click to expand...

The offers by the club have been reported out there. Whether they are fair or sufficient, it is imo really up to those affected to decide and not for me to pass comment on perhaps. But it is unfair to suggest the club aren’t trying or offering options, including staying in their current seats etc.

I think you are misreading Centurions' point, and have got caught up on the semantics of that one line btw.

Edit i am also behind and this may have been cleared up already.
 
skillman said:
Any news on flexi-access tickets for young ones? I spoke to City on Twitter and they said to keep an eye out on the website etc. but I don't want to miss out and not entirely sure what I'm looking for!
Click to expand...
Besides what's in the below, no. They're supposed to be meeting with City matters early next year when we may find out more (unless they put an NDA on it :( )

Edit: forgot the link.

 
Coatigan said:
I think they well deserve a talk with the club, and hopefully the club welcome the chance to engage with them, as their email suggests in its promise to do all they can to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Agree on the communication and timing, I don't see any other way that could have been handled to that point, in the circumstances. But nothing wrong with then following up with further talks etc.

Also agree that relocations weren't as out of the blue as is suggested, as there was zero chance the approved scheme would not have involved relocations and that was fairly obvious from the start.

What is however a curveball is the location of the seats affected, as that would have generally been presumed to have been the front lines of the upper tier where the GA+ is (if still) going.

Hopefully if they do get the talks, that bit is clarified to people affected, but may likely be NDA'd till the club control how they announce whatever change is involved there.
Click to expand...
To be honest mate, that all depends on how clued up the fans were regarding the development. Not everyone reads the North Stand Construction thread - which has been an excellent source of information by the way - or Bluemoon in general. Some fans simply don't do football forums full stop. If people aren't up to speed with the plans then they'd probably have little idea that there would be relocations. And I'd add that it's not up to the fans in the North Stand to find that out - it's on the club to communicate that to them, something that they've totally failed to do until just before the announcement the other week. Even if they couldn't give specifics about exactly which seats would be subject to relocation, they could've at least given fans in that stand a general heads up that they may need to move and they'd keep them updated as and when more information became available.

Yet another example of a club that has been largely world class on the pitch over the past 15 years being non-league standard off the pitch.
 
Centurions said:
I can assure you 100% that I'm not gaslighting anyone, but you've made your mind up on what's happening despite much more information to come yet so I'll leave you to it.
Click to expand...
Seriously, how you can say fans aren't being forced out when they 100% are and then deny that you're gaslighting anyone is completely and utterly beyond me. Is that a hill you really want to die on?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top