Manchester City have revealed their stance on Premier League admission for next season, announcing a price freeze on season cards and game-by-game tickets.
Regular match-going Blues will be buzzing to hear that the cost of going to the ground won’t be increasing as expected after all, with the East Manchester side delighting supporters with news of a ticket freeze on all domestic league games for the 2025/26 campaign.
Although this season has been an up-and-down one for the recent Treble winners and record-breaking four-time consecutive Premier League champions, this will come as a nice surprise.
For context, Man City season ticket prices have gone up almost every year bar 2020 – when football was being played behind closed doors during the pandemic – for the past half a decade.
Ticketing Update:
We can confirm that general admission season ticket and Premier League match-by-match ticket prices will be frozen for the 2025/26 season.
Confirming the decision in a brief statement shared on the club website and social media channels, City said that the outcome arrives following “the latest consultation meeting with its elected fan engagement programme, City Matters”.
ADVERTISEMENT
“The Club would like to thank City Matters representatives for the feedback they provide on a range of topics relating to ticketing, and for sharing a broad range of perspectives from the fans they represent”, the statement continues.
“The Club and City Matters will continue their ongoing discussions and consultations throughout the coming months around the evolution of the fan experience on matchday in the redeveloped and expanded Etihad Stadium.”
ADVERTISEMENT
In terms of the stadium expansion, not only do the ongoing works include increasing the fan capacity to more than 60,000, but they will also be accompanied by a new sky bar, roof walk and on-site hotel.
The official hotelier partners for ‘The Medlock’ were recently revealed too, which could prove to be a game-changer for making the Etihad Campus the ‘year-round entertainment destination’ they’ve been dreaming of.
No doubt, all-in-one ticket prices for Man City matches and hotel stay packages will be introduced too.
While a season ticket freeze is no doubt a good thing, the news has been met with a somewhat measured response by most fans, with one responding in the comments below: “That’s a good start, now let’s reduce them.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Popular fan podcast The City Ramble went on to add: “A step in the right direction now time to make tickets more affordable for everyone.”
Moreover, it’s also worth noting that this decision to freeze season tickets and general matchday admission only relates to the Premier League; Manchester City has yet to detail the prices for 25/26 cup games and European fixtures.
The lowest possible season ticket price at the Etihad Stadium currently is around £540 in the Family Stand/Colin Bell Stand/South Stand pitchside, with single match tickets starting from roughly £30 for juniors and approximately £58 for standard adults.
On the other hand, while averages range close to £800-900, the top end touch four figures and some single matchday tickets push the £75 mark.
Tributes pour in as former Rochdale and Bury midfielder Joe Thompson dies at just 36
Danny Jones
Awful news to share with you this bank holiday, as former Rochdale and Bury FC midfielderJoe Thompson has sadly passed away. He was just 36 years old.
Born in Bath, he spent time at both Man United and Rochdale’s academies before representing the first team, as well as representing fellow Greater Manchester club Bury and other teams in the North West – a region where he built a life with his partner and his two kids.
The ex-pro ultimately had to retire from football following a long battle with cancer, having been given the all clear from stage four lymphoma (a type of blood cancer) twice before during his playing days, before tragically receiving a heartbreaking third diagnosis last April.
News of his death broke on Good Friday, 18 April, having “passed away in the early hours of Thursday morning”. His wife Chantelle and eldest daughter Thailula shared a lengthy and heartbreaking statement on social media.
Confirming that he passed surrounded by his family, they wrote: “Joe has made such an impact on so many people and we are all forever grateful for him blessing us with his presence and for being so strong and staying with us as long as he did against all the odds.
“He was the most Incredible husband, son, brother, friend and father to our beautiful daughters, who will now carry his light and legacy on, and I will continue to keep filling them up with Joe’s love every single day […] I know he will be deeply missed by everyone and the world will not be the same without his contagious energy.”
Addressing their followers directly, who have been unwavering in their support for Joe and his family over recent years, The Thompsons went on to add: “Long may his legacy and impact live on! Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey with us… We are all forever grateful.”
They also announced that his funeral will be an open service to allow others inspired by his story, charity work, from his Dale days saving the club from relegation and more to pay their respects, with more details to follow soon.
Countless figures from around the footballing world have joined the likes of the Red Devils and his other former clubs in paying touching tributes to the inspiring individual.
A man who epitomised our club's values ❤️
We are saddened to share that Joe Thompson has passed away.
A warm personality who had a deep connection with our club from a young age, our thoughts are with Joe's family and friends at this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/40ddQpyRTi
Very sad news, to battle cancer once is extremely brave but to battle it three times is not just brave but you need a strong mindset and obviously Joe had that to keep fighting. Thoughts with Joe’s family and friends.
Joe and his family were friends with our very own Amy here at The Manc, so it goes without saying that we offer our deepest condolences to his family, friends and everyone whose lives he touched – our thoughts are with all of them at this difficult time.
She said: “To one of the most incredible men I have ever met – Joe it was an unbelievable honour to have known you, you were the light in any room, and I can’t believe we have to carry on in this world without you.
“To the guy with the best laugh and best waves, you will forever be missed.”
Inside Manchester’s new padel club with a Pot Kettle Black cafe and courtside cocktail bar
Daisy Jackson
Padel is the fastest-growing sport in the world, and it’s really picking up speed in Manchester now too with another city centre club opening this month.
The Pollen Club is a little different to the others, in that it’s fully undercover and protected from Manchester’s less-than-favourable weather.
And another thing that makes it a must-visit is the cafe attached to it – a third site for the beloved Pot Kettle Black.
The Pollen Club and Pot Kettle Black have both taken over a prominent city centre spot just off Deansgate, at the foot of the recently-opened Treehouse Hotel.
There are two state-of-the-art padel courts inside, with a mezzanine terrace for enjoy Pot Kettle Black’s offerings.
In summer, there are plans to launch a bar downstairs too, where you can sip spritzes courtside from loungers and swing seats.
The exciting new Manchester padel club will host pop up events, DJ takeovers and an extended evening food offering.
Pot Kettle Black are part of the new padel clubInside Manchester’s new padel club, The Pollen ClubPot Kettle Black are part of the new padel club
And even if you’re not heading inside The Pollen Club, Pot Kettle Black has a grab-and-go hatch facing onto Blackfriars Street, making their delicious coffees, sandwiches and pastries (from their own bakery Half Dozen Other) even more accessible.
Commenting on the opening of the new site, Pot Kettle Black co-owner, Mark Flanagan said: “We’re absolutely thrilled to have opened our third Pot Kettle Black site at The Padel Club. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team.
“After ten years in the city we’ve been enjoying seeing some familiar faces stopping by for a coffee and we can’t wait to get started on our programme of summer events!”
Danny Jones -
9th April 2025 
