Manchester City has come under fire from its supporters after announcing a global partnership with the third-party ticket resale platform Viagogo.
The deal, which includes the sale of hospitality tickets for both men’s and women’s games, has been labeled “tone deaf” by fan groups who have raised concerns about ticket prices and safety.
Supporters are particularly worried that the partnership might lead to hospitality tickets being sold to away fans and an increase in ticket touting.
City has previously taken action against ticket misuse, banning 165 accounts and suspending 354 others this season due to complaints of away fans being present in home areas of the Etihad Stadium.
In response to the Viagogo deal, several supporter groups, including 1894 and MCFC Fans Foodbank, issued a joint statement condemning the partnership, highlighting safety issues, and urging fans to boycott the first nine minutes of City’s Premier League match against Leicester City on April 2.
The groups argue that City has not addressed their ongoing concerns, with an open letter on ticket pricing remaining unanswered for over seven weeks.
City Matters, the club’s fan advisory board, has also expressed discontent. Chair Alex Howell said, “To sign a ninth partnership with a ticket resale platform is incredibly tone deaf given the strength of concern.” The Football Supporters’ Association added that clubs should prioritize in-house ticket exchange platforms that allow supporters to pass on tickets at face value.
While City insists that the Viagogo partnership will cap ticket prices and exclude standard tickets, the announcement comes amid wider scrutiny of the ticket resale industry.
Both the UK Competition and Markets Authority and the UK government have called for tighter regulations on resale platforms, with fan dissatisfaction about rising costs reaching a tipping point.
