Manchester City fans have hit back at the club’s ‘disgusting’ decision to relocate season ticket holders from the Etihad Stadium’s North Stand next season.
City announced plans to plough some £300million into the redevelopment almost three years ago, with works now nearing completion.
The revamped stand, which will add more than 7,000 general admission seats to the ground, is set to open before the end of this season. It will feature safe-standing seats and modernised concourse areas, the club say.
But such improvements mean that many season ticket holders – some of whom have been in the same spots for decades – will have to relocate from their seats in a move which has left fans frustrated.
Hundreds took to X to express their dissatisfaction at the announcement, criticising City’s decision to allegedly prioritise corporate seating.
One wrote: ‘Sat in the same seat since we moved to the stadium, 4 of us now being kicked out of our seats to accommodate people willing to pay more money. Club is getting further and further away from the fans. Really considering not going anymore, had my season ticket since 1987.’
Man City’s new revamped North Stand is set to be opened before the end of this season
But the improvements mean that some loyal season tickets will have to relocate
Another complained: ‘So I get turfed out of my seat to accommodate more corporate. Never mind I’ve only had my season ticket for 44 years. Disgusting way to treat loyal fans. Don’t worry about relocating, this is now my last season.’
‘Are you joking?,’ one disillusioned supporter fumed, ‘I’ve sat in the same seat for almost 20 years and this is how I find out I’m “relocating”. It’s an absolute disgrace the way you’re treating loyal fans in favour of toursits. I was there when we were s**T, do you think they will be here if we go to s**t again?’
Another wrote: ‘Kicking out supporters who have had them seats for years to accommodate more money grabbing hospitality seats in a supposedly *Blue Wall” is not a great look. You don’t care. Does it really need more hospitality? That will help with the atmosphere.’
While one more posted: ‘Been sat here for the past 17 seasons and made friends for life with those who sit around us, just to have that taken away by more and more greed. Very close to knocking it on the head but then again that’s probably what you want’
The new stand will boast two new features, described by the club as ‘Cross bar’ and ‘City Hall’. The former will be a space to offer fans a ‘relaxed, social atmosphere’ while the latter is an ‘enhanced bar’.
City’s statement, released today, said: ‘The introduction of City Hall means that a small number of Season Ticket Members in the North Stand may need to move seats ahead of the commencement of the 2026-27 season. No fans will need to move to accommodate Cross Bar.’
The supporters forced to relocate will be offered a priority window anywhere in the ground at the price they are currently paying, a two-year price freeze and the option to move with family or friends.
Many dissatisfied supporters took to X to express their frustration at having to relocate
The expansion of the North Stand puts City’s stadium in line with those of Tottenham, Arsenal and West Ham United around the 60,000-capacity mark.
Pep Guardiola’s side are next in action this Sunday against Aston Villa.
