The club stated that this move directly resulted from a consultation meeting held with its official fan engagement group, City Matters. This announcement comes on the heels of significant protests from City supporters. During their recent Premier League match against Leicester City, a large number of fans staged a visible demonstration by remaining in the stadium concourses for the initial nine minutes of the game. This action was a direct expression of their frustration regarding the club's newly established partnership with a third-party ticket resale platform.
This protest followed an open letter penned by seven prominent Manchester City fan groups. The letter voiced deep concerns over the escalating ticket prices witnessed in recent seasons and the potential for local, regular supporters to be priced out of attending matches at the Etihad Stadium. The fans argued that these price hikes contradicted the club's image and risked alienating its core support.
In its official statement addressing the price freeze, Manchester City acknowledged the "positive and constructive dialogue" that has transpired in recent weeks with representatives from City Matters, the club's elected fan engagement program.
"The club would like to thank City Matters representatives for the feedback they provide on a range of topics relating to ticketing," the statement read, "and for sharing a broad range of perspectives from the fans they represent."
This decision by Manchester City can be seen as a direct response to the organized and vocal opposition from its fanbase. The club's willingness to engage with City Matters and subsequently implement a price freeze suggests a recognition of the importance of maintaining a strong and engaged relationship with its supporters.
The protests highlight the delicate balance football clubs must strike between maximizing revenue and ensuring accessibility for their loyal local fanbase, a sentiment echoed by supporters across the globe. It remains to be seen whether this price freeze will fully appease the disgruntled fans and what long-term implications this decision will have on the club's ticketing strategy.