Supporters gathered outside the Etihad Stadium to protest what they call the club’s disregard for its traditional fan base.
Image credit: MCFC Fans Foodbank Support
Despite being recent Premier League champions, Manchester City are now facing growing unrest—not just in the league standings, but among their loyal supporters as well.
With performances faltering and the team no longer dominating, fans are voicing serious concerns about how the club is being run—particularly around ticket pricing and availability.
Before a recent home game, supporters gathered outside the Etihad Stadium to protest what they call the club’s disregard for its traditional fan base.
Leading the charge is the 1894 Group, a well-known supporters’ organization.
They accuse the club of reducing the number of available season tickets, even as the stadium’s capacity has grown by 9,000 seats in recent years.
“The stadium keeps expanding, but fewer of us can afford to regularly attend,” said a spokesperson for the group.
“Many tickets now cost up to £88 for adults and £58 for children. Then we see those same tickets resold for inflated prices on third-party sites. It’s unacceptable.”
The next fan protest is planned for Manchester City’s home game against Wolves on 2 May.
Supporters have been urged to remain in the stadium concourse for the first six minutes of the match—a symbolic gesture marking six years without new season ticket allocations.
Fans fear the situation may worsen when the Etihad expands to over 60,000 seats next season.
They believe most of the new seats will be reserved for corporate hospitality, not ordinary supporters.
Empty seats at recent high-profile matches have only fueled the frustration.
Manager Pep Guardiola has acknowledged the discontent, saying he understands the fans’ concerns and is “on the side of the people.”
Critics argue the club is prioritizing matchday profits over loyalty.
By capping the number of games season ticket holders can miss and encouraging resale through the club’s exchange system, many believe City are shifting toward a model that favors wealthier, occasional attendees over devoted fans.
The Football Supporters’ Association (FSA) has weighed in, calling the move a “culture shift” away from building loyal season ticket bases.
“It’s clear that some clubs are moving toward a model where casual fans are more profitable than committed ones,” said an FSA representative.
