Manchester United has unveiled its season ticket prices and updated guidelines for the 2025-26 campaign, sparking a mix of relief and concern among its loyal fanbase. The announcement, made on Monday, March 17, details a 5% increase in season ticket prices for most categories, marking the third consecutive year of hikes, while freezing prices for under-16s to preserve access for younger supporters. Alongside the pricing adjustments, the club introduced new policies aimed at boosting revenue and ensuring financial sustainability amid rising operational costs.
The 5% rise translates to an average increase of £2.50 ($3.25) per game for adult and senior season ticket holders, following similar increments over the past two seasons. After 11 years of frozen prices, the club has now raised costs by 15% cumulatively since 2023. For the 2025-26 season, adult season tickets will range from £608 to £1,121, depending on seating location at Old Trafford. Under-16s, however, will see no change, a decision the club attributes to its commitment to nurturing the next generation of fans following consultations with the Fans’ Advisory Board (FAB).
Chief Executive Omar Berrada defended the move, stating, “We appreciate the loyal and patient support of our fans, particularly our season-ticket holders who represent the core of our match-going support base. After 11 consecutive years of price freezes, we’ve increased prices by 5% for the past two seasons and intend to do the same for next season to offset continued rises in operating costs.” Berrada acknowledged the fans’ frustration, especially amid the team’s inconsistent performance, currently languishing in 13th place in the Premier League, but stressed the necessity of the increase to maintain financial stability.
Senior concessions will also see adjustments, with discounts standardized at 25% off (down from 50% for some) and now aligned with the state pension age of 66. Car parking charges at Old Trafford will rise by 15%, further adding to matchday expenses.
Beyond pricing, Manchester United introduced several operational changes for the upcoming season. A notable shift is the introduction of game categorization for match-by-match tickets, a system not applicable to season ticket holders. This will see prices vary based on the fixture’s profile—high-demand games, such as derbies against Manchester City or Liverpool, are expected to command premium rates. The club has yet to release specific pricing details, pending the Premier League fixture list, but assured fans that concessions will still apply to these tickets.
Another change affects ticket resale. Season ticket holders wishing to sell their seats back to the club within 14 days of a match will now incur a £10 deduction from their refund, a measure aimed at reducing late cancellations. Resales beyond this window remain free, and options to forward tickets or donate them to the MU Foundation are unchanged.
The minimum usage requirement for season tickets will also increase, from 15 to 16 out of 19 Premier League home games. This includes attending, forwarding, donating, or reselling tickets, with non-compliance risking the loss of season ticket privileges. Additionally, seats near the dugouts will be converted into hospitality packages, displacing some fans to capitalize on their “high value” location.
The announcement has elicited a mixed response. The FAB, while disappointed at the lack of a full price freeze, expressed relief that the increase was capped at 5%. “We strongly advocated for an across-the-board freeze, which we felt was justified given the club’s current circumstances,” the board stated. “While we didn’t get the freeze we argued for, we’re relieved the club limited the increases and froze prices for our youngest fans.”
The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST) echoed this sentiment but voiced broader concerns. “For months, we’ve argued the club should freeze ticket prices to send a powerful message of unity during these challenging times,” MUST said. “Other clubs have done so, but the new match categorization model for non-season ticket holders is a major worry, with fans facing additional increases for big games. We call for a strict cap on higher-priced categories.”
Fans took to social media to express frustration, with some highlighting the disconnect between rising costs and the team’s mid-table standing. Others pointed to the £2 billion new stadium project announced last week by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe as evidence of misplaced priorities, especially given Ratcliffe’s claim that the club would have been “bust by Christmas” without his financial interventions.