Introduction
Manchester City have announced a groundbreaking initiative for the 2026-27 season, trialling Premier League matchday tickets priced at just £10 for adults living in the local area. The scheme, confirmed by the club, aims to strengthen ties with the community surrounding the Etihad Stadium and ensure that residents in nearby wards can continue to enjoy top-flight football at accessible rates.
The move comes as City continue to expand their stadium capacity and enter a new era under manager Enzo Maresca, following the departure of the legendary Pep Guardiola.
The £10 Ticket Initiative: How It Works
Residents in specific Manchester City Council wards – including Ancoats & Beswick, Clayton & Openshaw, Gorton & Abbey Hey, Ardwick, and Miles Platting & Newton Heath – will be eligible to apply for the discounted tickets. Applicants must provide proof of their postal address, and the club will make available between 100 and 500 reduced-price tickets for each Premier League home fixture, as well as selected domestic cup and European matches.
The initiative offers adult tickets at £10, concessions at £7.50, and under-18 tickets at just £5. This is part of a wider commitment to affordability, with City having frozen ticket prices for a third consecutive season and introduced a new category of adult tickets starting from £25 for certain midweek Premier League games.
Stadium Expansion and Guardiola’s Farewell
The ticketing trial coincides with the full opening of the expanded North Stand, now renamed the Pep Guardiola Stand in honour of the iconic former manager. The stand’s completion was marked during Guardiola’s final match in charge – a 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa last May – which drew a record Etihad crowd of 60,332. Guardiola stepped down after a decade of unparalleled success, making way for Maresca.
A New Era Under Enzo Maresca
Enzo Maresca will take charge of his first competitive fixture in the Community Shield against Arsenal on 16 August, with the first home league game of the season coming a week later against Bournemouth. The new manager inherits a club deeply rooted in its community, a philosophy reinforced by this latest ticketing drive.
Quotes: A Club Rooted in Its Community
"Manchester City has always been rooted in its community and, as we grow, we want to ensure people who live closest to the Etihad Campus remain part of everything that happens here. We know matchdays bring significant social and economic opportunities to the area. But with more matches, more activities and more visitors than ever before, it is important that those who live closest to us can continue to enjoy the experience, make lasting memories, and be a part of the journey with us."
— Danny Wilson, Managing Director of Operations, Manchester City
Key Takeaways
- Manchester City are trialling £10 adult tickets for local residents in specified wards around the Etihad Stadium.
- Between 100 and 500 discounted tickets will be available per home Premier League match, plus selected cup ties.
- The initiative coincides with the expanded Pep Guardiola Stand and the start of Enzo Maresca’s tenure.
- Ticket prices have been frozen for a third straight season, with additional affordable options introduced for midweek games.
- The club emphasises the importance of keeping the local community engaged despite its growing global profile.
Quick Facts
Adult ticket price: £10 (trial)
Concession price: £7.50
Under-18 price: £5
Eligible wards: Ancoats & Beswick, Clayton & Openshaw, Gorton & Abbey Hey, Ardwick, Miles Platting & Newton Heath
Tickets per match: 100–500
First home league game (2026-27): vs Bournemouth, 23 August