Following discussions with supporters’ groups, Manchester United have made changes to its season ticket policies.
Next season, Manchester United will let season ticket holders choose whether or not to participate in cup tournaments.
For several years, United fans had pushed the club to make cup games optional with season tickets, but the club made them mandatory in 2007, and the move will be enacted for next season after consultation with the fans’ forum and the new Fans’ Advisory Board (FAB).
It is the first significant outcome of United’s vow, made a year ago in the wake of the European Super League protests, to increase connection with fans. The policy change is the first significant result of that promise.
Since its inception in January, the FAB has convened twice, with Joel Glazer participating in both meetings via video conference.
Season ticket holders are guaranteed their seats for all 19 Premier League home games under current rules, and they are also required to purchase tickets for all FA Cup and UEFA competition home games under current rules.
As a result of the new rules, which will be in effect for the 2022/23 season, fans will have the option of purchasing a Premier League-only season ticket with the opportunity to add FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and European tickets on a competition-by-competition basis in addition to their season ticket.
Members of the public who choose not to participate in a competition will have the opportunity to apply for cup tickets on a match-by-match basis, subject to availability, alongside official members.
Additionally, a cup season ticket will be introduced for the first time, granting official members access to all cup games played at Old Trafford in the coming season.
“The ACS [auto cup scheme] was established initially as a handy option for supporters who wished to purchase tickets for every cup match in order to save time on administrative tasks,” a spokeswoman for the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust explained.
Because it was seen that the club was forcing some fans to purchase tickets for games they did not intend to attend, the club’s decision to make this mandatory in the summer of 2007 sparked considerable discontent and became a symbol of unpopular and punitive measures done by the Glazers.
“The removal of the mandatory nature of the ACS has been a long-standing demand for MUST, and while the club has never taken the subject off the table, it has been painfully slow in addressing it. In recent months, there have been more in-depth discussions about what it would actually look like to remove it, which has culminated in today’s statement.
“There is still a great deal more that we would like to see from the club.” Nevertheless, for the time being, this is a significant victory for match-going fans, as the ACS is no longer required.”
As a result of the new rules, which will be in effect for the 2022/23 season, fans will have the option of purchasing a Premier League-only season ticket with the opportunity to add FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and European tickets on a competition-by-competition basis in addition to their season ticket.
Members of the public who choose not to participate in a competition will have the opportunity to apply for cup tickets on a match-by-match basis, subject to availability, alongside official members.
Additionally, a cup season ticket will be introduced for the first time, granting official members access to all cup games played at Old Trafford in the coming season.
“The ACS [auto cup scheme] was established initially as a handy option for supporters who wished to purchase tickets for every cup match in order to save time on administrative tasks,” a spokeswoman for the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust explained.
Because it was seen that the club was forcing some fans to purchase tickets for games they did not intend to attend, the club’s decision to make this mandatory in the summer of 2007 sparked considerable discontent and became a symbol of unpopular and punitive measures done by the Glazers.
“The removal of the mandatory nature of the ACS has been a long-standing demand for MUST, and while the club has never taken the subject off the table, it has been painfully slow in addressing it. In recent months, there have been more in-depth discussions about what it would actually look like to remove it, which has culminated in today’s statement.
“There is still a great deal more that we would like to see from the club.” Nevertheless, for the time being, this is a significant victory for match-going fans, as the ACS is no longer required.”