Football supporters from Manchester United and Manchester City are sending a loud and clear message today – the rising cost of attending matches is no longer acceptable.
United and City fans are joining forces with Everton and Liverpool supporters to protest against extortionate ticket prices, targeting the gluttonous ticket hikes affecting both children and pensioners.
The fans are banding together to challenge what they feel is the “exploitation of loyalty” by the Premier League’s decision-makers.
The Scene at Old Trafford: Fans Fight Back
Ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Everton (1:30 PM kick-off), United fans have teamed up with Everton supporters for a joint protest at Old Trafford.
Fans gathered at the iconic Trinity Statue with banners reading “Stop Exploiting Loyalty.” Among the banners, one particularly poignant sign read, “Man Utd ripping off kids,” highlighting the unjust impact on young fans.
As one protester, Ross Jenkins, stated: “How is United going to be sustainable without fans of the future?” Jenkins, alongside his son William, expressed deep concern about the skyrocketing prices, noting that he would be forced to stop attending matches himself if his son couldn’t continue attending. 
As seen in the tweet from Chris Slater (@chrisslaterMEN), Ross and his son are just one example of the ripple effect this policy will have on families.
The protest went up a notch with chants like “Sell United and f** off home”* directed at the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe, sparking intense reactions from both sides of the rivalry. As one protestor put it succinctly, “We want our club back.”
A Broad Coalition for Change
Despite the fierce rivalries between these clubs, fan groups across the Premier League are uniting under the banner of the Football Supporters’ Association’s (FSA) #StopExploitingLoyalty campaign.
The message is crystal clear: enough is enough. The protest coincides with an announcement by Manchester United that mid-season ticket prices will rise to £66 per game for both children and pensioners – with no consultation from the fans themselves. 
As noted by Steven Railston (@StevenRailston) and Stephen Killen (@StephenKillen), the response has been one of fury and frustration, with banners and chants echoing around Old Trafford.
Fan Impact: For many, this is a “kick in the teeth.” As one fan told the Manchester Evening News, the decision has made it impossible for them to continue attending games with their children. “It’s gutting,” said another supporter, expressing disbelief that such an increase was deemed fair.
Notably, United fans had already faced increased season ticket prices, which had risen at a rate nearly double the cost of living since 2011, according to a BBC report. Despite this, the Premier League’s new broadcast deal further exacerbates the problem, making matchday ticket income less significant to clubs’ finances.
Anfield: City & Liverpool Fans Stand United
Simultaneously, Manchester City fans will link up with Liverpool supporters at Anfield ahead of their 4 PM clash. Fans from the 1894, MCFC Fans Foodbank Support, and Spirit of Shankly groups will meet at 3 PM by the Kop to join the protest.
Though City fans are usually less vocal than their Manchester United counterparts, this protest shows that the rising ticket prices are a concern for supporters from all walks of life, from Manchester to Merseyside.
The Bigger Picture: More Than Just Ticket Prices
This protest is part of a broader movement questioning how football’s financial model operates. The joint statement from fan groups emphasizes that while Premier League broadcast deals have inflated by 17%, the ticket price increases are creating a divide between clubs and the very fans who have kept the sport alive. 
Fans argue that these price hikes are unfair, especially when considering that 97% of tickets have already been sold for Manchester United’s matches. With concerns about away ticket prices also on the rise, the #StopExploitingLoyalty movement is pushing for more accessible football and an end to the corporate greed threatening the sport’s soul.
As Stephen Killen (@StephenKillen) tweeted, “Football doesn’t have a revenue problem; it has a spending problem – and loyal supporters should not bear the cost.” This united front of fans across Manchester, Liverpool, and Everton stands as a stark reminder: football is nothing without its supporters. The time to act is now.
Stay tuned for more updates on the ongoing protest across both stadiums as these passionate supporters fight for the future of football.
