Manchester United’s Ticket Price Hike: Why Fans Are Furious After a Nightmare Season

A Season to Forget: Man Utd’s On-Field Collapse

Did you know Manchester United finished 15th in the Premier League last season? For a club of United’s stature, this was their worst domestic showing since the 1973-74 relegation disaster. Hopes for redemption in the Europa League were dashed when Tottenham Hotspur snatched victory in the final, leaving United trophyless for the third consecutive year. The mood around Old Trafford has been somber, with fans and pundits alike questioning the club’s direction and leadership.
Recent blog posts and news reports paint a picture of a team in crisis, with manager Amorim’s tactics under fire and the squad’s lack of cohesion on full display. The defeat to Spurs was particularly painful, as United’s attack faltered and their defense looked vulnerable throughout.

The Ticket Price Shock: What’s Changing and Why?

Here’s the bombshell: Manchester United announced a new tiered ticket pricing system for the 2025/26 season, with match-by-match tickets now categorized from A to D. The most in-demand fixtures—against rivals like Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Newcastle, and Tottenham—are now classified as Category A, with prices soaring up to £97 (about 180,000 KRW). Even less popular matches start at £37, a significant jump from last year’s entry price of £40. On average, the typical match ticket will now cost £46.51, up from £41.41 last season.
The club claims this brings United in line with other Premier League giants, but for the 20,000 fans who buy tickets per game, the increase feels like a slap in the face—especially after such a disappointing season.

Fan Outrage: Community and Supporter Group Responses

The backlash was immediate and fierce. The Manchester United Supporters’ Trust (MUST), Fan Advisory Board (FAB), and Fans Forum all condemned the decision, calling it a ‘kick in the teeth’ and a ‘betrayal’ of loyal supporters. Many fans argue the club failed to consult them, and that the price hike disproportionately affects those who attend matches most frequently.
On Naver and Tistory blogs, the sentiment is overwhelmingly negative—over 80% of comments are critical, with fans lamenting that the club is prioritizing profit over loyalty. One representative comment reads: “How can they justify this after such a terrible season? The fans deserve better.”

Cultural Insight: Why Ticket Prices Matter in Manchester

For foreign fans, it’s crucial to understand that football in Manchester is more than just a game—it’s a core part of the city’s identity. Many local supporters have held season tickets for generations, and attending matches is a family tradition. The steep price hikes threaten to exclude working-class fans, undermining the club’s historic connection to its community.
Unlike in some countries where football is a luxury event, in Manchester, it’s a weekly ritual. The anger isn’t just about money; it’s about feeling shut out of a club that’s supposed to represent the people.

Inside the Club: Jim Ratcliffe’s Reforms and Financial Pressures

The ticket price increase isn’t happening in a vacuum. Since acquiring a 25% stake and taking charge of football operations, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has launched sweeping reforms aimed at stabilizing the club’s finances. Cost-cutting measures include revoking corporate credit cards, ending remote work, and even canceling the staff Christmas party. The club faces mounting financial pressures after missing out on Champions League revenue and suffering a disastrous league finish.
Ratcliffe has been blunt: without tough decisions, United could face a cash crisis by year’s end. He’s also ended the £3.8 million annual payment to club legend Sir Alex Ferguson, signaling a break with the old guard.

Media and Community Reactions: A Divided Fanbase

Media coverage in the UK and Korea highlights the deep divisions within the United fanbase. While a minority see the reforms as necessary for long-term survival, the vast majority are angry and disillusioned. On Daum and PGR21, fans debate whether Ratcliffe’s business-first approach can revive the club or if it risks alienating its core supporters.
Representative comments include: “This is not the United I grew up with,” and “If the club keeps treating fans like cash cows, Old Trafford will lose its soul.”

Looking Ahead: Can United Rebuild Trust?

The challenge for Manchester United is clear: rebuild not just the team, but the relationship with its global fanbase. The club’s leadership insists that price hikes are temporary and necessary, but fans demand more transparency and genuine engagement. As United prepares for another season of uncertainty, the world will be watching to see if the Red Devils can restore both their fortunes and their bond with supporters.
For overseas fans, this saga is a reminder that football is deeply intertwined with local identity, economics, and tradition. The next chapter in United’s history will be shaped as much by its fans as by its owners and players.