Manchester United are considering charging fans up to £4,000 – purely for the right to buy a season ticket at their planned new stadium.
Mail Sport understands what a highly controversial introduction of a ‘Personal Seat Licence’ – a system commonplace in America but not yet seen in the Premier League – was one of a number of proposals presented to fans by US-based consultants CSL International.
While United officials have stressed no final decisions have been made and that they are at an exploratory stage, such a move would see supporters forced to pay thousands, before then having to shell out separately for their season tickets.
Under the system, which is often used across the Atlantic to part-fund new stadiums, fans who fork out for a PSL would then have first refusal on the seat for the next 30 years. However, should they fail to buy a season ticket they would automatically lose the licence.
Following the arrival of co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group, United unveiled concept designs drawn up by the award-winning architect Lord Norman Foster for a new 100,000-capacity stadium to be built at the side of Old Trafford.
It is expected that such a venue would cost north of £2bn. The club are seeking government funding for the wider infrastructure of what is a vast regeneration project, but would raise money for the stadium construction themselves.
Man United are considering charging £4,000 for the right to buy a season ticket at their planned new stadium
A highly controversial ‘personal seat licence’ system – as seen in the US – is being considered
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s grand vision is expected to cost more than £2billion to deliver by 2031-32
Earlier this month, Mail Sport revealed Lord Seb Coe is to spearhead the plans, with United hoping to host the 2035 women’s World Cup Final at what would be their new home.
They are targeting the 2031-32 season for a grand opening, although the situation is currently being complicated by a failure to come to an agreement over the purchase of the Freightliner Terminal, behind the Stretford End, which is crucial to the proposed build.
United insiders insist the introduction of a PSL is hypothetical and part of wide-ranging options for ticket pricing models in a new stadium.
They were discussed with focus groups in the second week of July with season ticket holders, members and corporate customers.
United sources say they were part of a range of early ideas and themes which were presented to fans to find out what resonates and what needs refinement.
They added that a survey will follow to all fans in due course.
Opposition to PSLs would undoubtedly be strong. Adult season tickets for the forthcoming campaign will cost United fans between £608 and £1,121, an increase of five per cent. Prices for Under 16s remain unchanged.
Most NFL franchises use some form of PSL system. At the Levi’s Stadium, home of the San Francisco 49ers, seat licenses can cost up to £60,000, although fans can pay in instalments.
Man United fans launched a series of fierce protests against the owners and prices last season
Supporters are already annoyed at rising prices and being evicted from their long-held seats
The licence system is just at the proposal stage for their planned 100,000-seater stadium
Man United hope they will be able to move out of their current Old Trafford home by 2030-31
London 2012 supremo Lord Seb Coe will spearhead Man United’s plans for a new stadium
In 2017, it was reported that the Los Angeles Rams, owned by Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke, were set to charge up to £166,000 for seat licences at their £2bn SoFi Stadium – far eclipsing the £110,000 charged by the Dallas Cowboys at their AT&T Stadium.
In football, some have targeted wealthy individuals as part of a limited PSL system. La Liga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid, for example, raised tens of millions by selling seat licenses in the VIP areas of their revamped stadiums to high net worth individuals.
Around 20 per cent of United’s stadium, should it be built, is expected to consist of corporate offerings.
