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Manchester City announce freeze on season ticket prices and change ticket transfer policy

Happy, Blues?

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 24th April 2026

In a welcome bit of news for Manchester City supporters, the club have announced another freeze on season card prices, as well as a change to a controversial policy surrounding ticket transfers.

A big bonus ahead of next term and what could still prove to be a blockbuster end to the 2025/26.

Confirming the news in a statement released on Friday, 24 April, Man City announced that they will be maintaining the current cost of season tickets for at least another campaign.

Sharing the information on social media, the update by and large has been met with a warm reception, with fan groups such as City Matters, various branches of the official Man City Supporters Clubs, and the likes of the 1894 Group welcoming the decisions.

The post reads as follows: “Following extensive consultations with its fan engagement network, City Matters, Manchester City can confirm its approach to pricing for the 2026/27 season.

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“Prices for renewing general admission season tickets and Premier League match-by-match tickets for junior and adult Matchday Members will be retained at the same rate for a third consecutive season.

“The Club has taken the approach in recognition of the extraordinary accumulated impact of the current cost of living pressures on fans and their families.”

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City have also now informed Etihad Stadium matchgoers of the latest info regarding several other ‘significant’ choices and changes.

Besides paying the same price for their seat upon renewal, the cost of ‘match-by-match’ tickets will also stay at the same rate for juniors and adults, and they will also be introducing a new category for selected mid-week Premier League home games, starting from £25 for 18+ visitors.

Although annual adult matchday membership has increased by £3, juniors haven’t changed, and another 4,000 new ‘Flexi-Season Tickets’ – with 50% ringfenced for juniors – are set to be introduced as part of the home ground’s expansion and their “commitment to future generations of Cityzens”.

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The 1894, who have been vocal against the club and mobilised as part of multiple peaceful protests in recent times, shared a lengthy response of their own:

Perhaps just as crucially, though, following extensive consultation with City Matters, the previously unpopular ticket transfer policy has been simplified. Ahead of next season, matchgoers will be able to list up to a total of 18 family members and friends, regardless of their membership status.

City fans will also be able to do this at any point throughout the year if they are unable to attend a match. You won’t hear any complaints when it comes to this one.

Reflecting on the productive discussions, fan representatives said: “City Matters is delighted with the Club’s ticketing announcement and the decisions that have been made, both in relation to Season Ticket and Match-by-Match prices as well as the simplified ticket transfer policy.

“Over several months, we have worked closely and constructively with the Club, taking part in positive dialogue with them, sharing a wide range of views from within our fan base on ticketing-related topics.

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“The outcome that the Club and City Matters have delivered together demonstrates the real and positive impact that City Matters has as the Club’s official fan network.

“We would like to thank the Club for delivering on our priorities, showing once again that there is a clear understanding of the needs of fans and a commitment to acting in their best interests.”

There might still be somewhat of a bittersweet end coming very soon, but at least there’s stuff coming that can still be celebrated.

Bernardo Silva has confirmed he is leaving Manchester City at the end of the season
Defender John Stones is also expected to leave the club this summer.

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Featured Images – The Manc Group

Sport

BBC’s Football Focus to end after more than half a century

Danny Jones Danny Jones Football Focus cancelled and ending after 52 years

In a fairly shocking bit of broadcasting news, Football Focus is ending after more than half a century on our screens.

Announced on Thursday, 23 April, the once flagship show and weekly TV guide staple for countless British households is set to be cancelled after 52 seasons’ worth of coverage.

With BBC Sport confirming the tough decision in a lengthy statement, the long-running show will be taken off the air at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Most programmes like these have seen declining audiences across the board in the era of streaming and digital packages across various platforms, but this is truly the end of an era.

An official social media post reads: “An incredible 52-year journey comes to an end.⁣ Following extensive consideration, BBC Sport has made the difficult decision to say goodbye to Football Focus at the end of this season. ⁣
⁣
“First broadcast in 1974, Football Focus is a testament to the brilliant team who have worked on it over the years and, of course, the audience. The programme has been a staple of the BBC’s football coverage for decades, providing fans with interviews, analysis and stories from across the game ahead of the weekend’s fixtures.

“But changing audience behaviours mean fans are now increasingly consuming football content in different ways, and we need to respond appropriately as we face difficult decisions around how the licence fee is spent.⁣”

Second only really to Match of the Day (MotD), which first began a whole decade prior to its once equally popular spin-off, Gary Lineker, Manish Bhasin, Alex Scott and others have all enjoyed varying periods hosting the regular weekend watch.

While even MotD has seen steadily dipping viewing figures, not just following the Lineker departure/saga, but ever since YouTube highlights and the social media era.

The statement goes on to say: “Fans are accessing discussion, highlights, analysis and news through digital platforms and on-demand viewing, and as viewing habits continue to evolve, it is right that BBC Sport adapts how it brings football coverage to the widest audiences across television, radio, online and to its extensive social platforms.
⁣
BBC Sport boasts a strong football rights portfolio and is set to significantly expand its digital output this year, growing content across BBC platforms, as well as a bold new slate of exclusive shows on YouTube.

“Featuring fresh formats, big personalities and more frequent, always-on content tailored for digital audiences, the expansion will bring fans closer to the game than ever before, delivering more high-quality, accessible and engaging football coverage at scale. We will release further details on these plans in the coming months.”

Will you miss it? Perhaps more to the point, do you still watch Match of the Day, Soccer Saturday and the like on terrestrial telly?

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Featured Images — BBC

Sport

Thousands of children in the North West have got involved in the UK’s biggest-ever Schools Cricket Day

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Thousands of children in the North West have got involved in the UK’s biggest-ever Schools Cricket Day

History has been made today, with thousands of children in schools across the North West taking part in a record-breaking Schools Cricket Day. 

The event has coincided with the 50-day countdown to the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, which will take over the Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground this summer. 

In Lancashire and Greater Manchester, around 14,500 children from 83 schools picked up a bat and ball as part of the event, the largest single-day cricket participation event in UK history. 

It marks a major milestone on the road to this summer’s tournament, which will kick off at Edgbaston on 12 June before heading to Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground for four fixtures from 13 June. 

There’s been everything from first-time batting and bowling in playgrounds to competitive matches on sports fields, as schools across the country catch the spirit of the game. 

And that’s included 130 children from Kings Road Primary School enjoying a dedicated session at Old Trafford’s Indoor Cricket Centre alongside World Cup Winner and former England star, Alex Hartley.

Alongside lessons and activities, all Lancashire Cricket Foundation (LCF) staff supported additional events, from games and activities to assemblies, taking place across the region.

School children take part in an ICC Schools Cricket day at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester. Credit: Dave Thompson/Route One Photography
School children take part in an ICC Schools Cricket day at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester. Credit: Dave Thompson/Route One Photography
School children take part in an ICC Schools Cricket day at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester. Credit: Dave Thompson/Route One Photography

Big names from the world of cricket, including Heather Knight OBE, Lydia Greenway OBE and Hampshire captain Georgia Adams also joined school events in ICC Women’s T20 World Cup host cities.

Australian international and current player for Yorkshire women’s, Jess Jonassen, supporting a cricket session at Morley Cricket Club over in Leeds.

Schools Cricket Day is part of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB)’s ambitions to use the tournament to inspire the next generation of girls to play cricket. 

This year alone, through various initiatives and programmes, the ECB is aiming to see 500,000 women and girls playing cricket, 300 women taking up key leadership roles within the game’s administration, and 500 Champions of Change created as part of the Young Cricket Collective, which will empower young girls to volunteer and make change at their local cricket clubs. 

The day also featured bespoke resources and games created by the ICC’s global charity partner, UNICEF, through its “Rights in Play” programme. 

2017 World Cup winner and Lancashire Women’s star Alex Hartley said: “It feels like I’ve been waiting all year for the World Cup to arrive, and now we’ve only got 50 days to go! 

“I’m really pleased to support initiatives like Schools Cricket Day today as they’re so important to inspire the next generation of potential cricket players. As an international cricketer I always looked forward to major tournaments, there’s nothing quite like playing on the global stage.

“There was a huge shift after the 2017 World Cup, we all felt it. Having the T20 tournament in England and Wales this summer presents another huge opportunity to continue building a legacy that can be felt by all future generations of cricketers from Lancashire and all across the nation.”

Managing Director of the Lancashire Cricket Foundation, Jen Barden said: “National Schools Cricket Day is a fantastic opportunity for young people in their education settings to get involved in so many aspects of the game! 

School children take part in an ICC Schools Cricket day at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, Manchester, joined by former England star Alex Hartley, to mark 50 days until the star of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Credit: Photo by Dave Thompson/Route One Photography

“We have members of the LCF delivering cricket across the County but also linking in lessons including the history of the game, using maths and science too! 

“We have an amazing opportunity to inspire the next generation of cricketers, volunteers, coaches and officials in all aspects of cricket this summer with the games at Old Trafford, I can’t wait to see lots of young boys and girls giving cricket a go for the first time!”

Gemma Barton, ECB Head of Strategic Growth, said “Moments like this show how the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup is shaping the future of the game. Every girl and boy inspired to pick up a bat and ball today can see how inclusive, welcoming and fun cricket is. 

“It’s not just about the summer ahead, it’s about what comes next: more girls playing, more teams growing, and more people feeling like they belong in the game.”

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Tickets for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 are selling fast – you can get yours HERE.

Read more: The route for the 2027 Tour de France Femmes revealed ahead of Manchester debut 

Featured image: Dave Thompson/Route One Photography | 07711459404 www.routeonephotography.co.uk

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