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Supporter groups’ pleas for price freezes ignored Both clubs insist rises needed to compete on pitch Manchester United and Newcastle have increased season-ticket prices by 5% for next season. While both clubs insist the rises are necessary to achieve success on the pitch, their respective supporter groups have strongly criticised the above-inflation hikes. Manchester United are third in the Premier League under their interim head coach, Michael Carrick, and are well placed to return to the Champions League after a rare season without European football. The club want to kick on and mark their 150th anniversary in 2028 with a first league title since 2013 and say increased ticket prices in the 2026-27 campaign will help them invest in football and facilities. “We have a clear objective to return Manchester United to the top of domestic and European football, ” the club said in a statement. “We want to keep investing in the team and improving our facilities so fans get the best possible experience. We also need to make sure the club stays financially sustainable, taking into account inflation and rising costs. It is within this context we have made the decision to increase season-ticket prices by around 5% across all areas of Old Trafford. ” The Football Supporters’ Association appealed to clubs in November to freeze ticket prices for the next two seasons. The Manchester United Supporters Trust pointed to the FSA’s campaign as the group expressed frustration with the increase, along with the relocation of 600 more fans for hospitality seats in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand. “It is disappointing that the club has ignored our call, as part of the FSA’s league-wide campaign, for a ticket-price freeze, ” Must said in a statement. “Supporters are paying more and more to watch their team, and as the FSA campaign said: enough is enough. We’ve also learned that 600 more loyal fans are being moved for ever more hospitality. “Those people will be understandably furious, and need to be better treated by the club than those who went through the same thing last year were. That said, we are pleased the club listened to some of our concerns and there are no further restrictions on season-ticket holders forwarding their tickets and no increase in the minimum usage rules. Football clubs make better decisions when they listen to fans – they should do it more! ” United confirmed they would reintroduce the publication of ticket allocation and ballot data, as well as ticket collections for European away games whenever they return to continental action. Newcastle’s chief executive, David Hopkinson has also defended his club’s 5% season ticket hike. This rise will lift standard category adult season tickets at St James’ Park to between £730 and £987 but Hopkinson claims that, without the additional revenue, Eddie Howe’s team would inevitably become less competitive. It is the fourth consecutive season that ticket prices have risen by 5% at Newcastle as the Saudi Arabian-owned club moves away from the more affordable pricing structure created during Mike Ashley’s ownership.
In a statement the club’s official Fan Advisory Board said it “unanimously advised the club there should be no increase to season ticket pricing and are disappointed it has decided to go ahead with an increase”. Hopkinson demurred and maintains that such price hikes in one of England’s most deprived regions are necessary.
“We fully understand this will not be popular news and it is not a decision we take lightly, ” he said. “But the reality is that, without making responsible increases, we cannot continue progressing or competing at the level we all expect and aspire to. In the current financial landscape we must balance affordability for our fans with the need to generate the revenue required to remain competitive. “After this adjustment our general admission ticket prices will remain competitive against other Premier League clubs and we will also be offering the league’s second lowest price for a standard adult season ticket. ” In a move strongly contested by the Fab, Newcastle will also reduce tickets discounts for disabled fans from 50% to 25% next season and increase prices for premium tickets offering additional bar memberships by 15%. Season tickets prices in the most expensive “platinum club” area will rise to £1, 404 for adults, an increase of £183.
Meanwhile, Newcastle have already raised prices for Tuesday’s Champions League last 16 first legagainst Barcelona, with season-ticket holders being asked to pay an additional minimum of £69 for a standard seat and platinum club members an extra £79.
Newcastle have 35, 000 season ticket holders but non season-ticket holders who will already have paid £37 for the year’s membership, which allows them to apply for tickets on a match-by-match basis, must pay a minimum of £74 to watch the Barcelona game. That represents the highest basic price charged for any match at St James’ Park.