Manchester United season ticket holders have expressed their frustration at changes to how they enter Old Trafford on matchdays, which will start from the 2024/25 campaign.
United made the decision to digitise their ticketing system in 2021/22, which meant fans were asked to download their season tickets to their mobile phones.
Supporters would gain entry to Old Trafford by scanning QR codes on their phones and season tickets could be downloaded to Apple/Google wallets for convenience.
However, communication was sent to season ticket holders last week outlining there would be changes for next season. Now, fans will gain entry by using a live QR code in the club app that regularly updates and the season ticket will be restricted to just one device.
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The changes prevent season ticket holders from passing on their ticket to a family member or friend without cost if they cannot attend the game themselves. A United membership is required to accept a transferred season ticket and that costs a minimum of £20 per season.
Many United season ticket holders have expressed their anger at the changes on social media and some have written emails and letters to the club to criticise the new rules.
One fan described the changes as “unacceptable” and another said: “The harder they make it to pass a ticket in, the more fans that will pack their season tickets in.”
The new QR code system – the digital code is not available until three hours before kick-off – was implemented as a trial for some fans for Sheffield United’s visit to Old Trafford.
The Manchester Evening News has contacted United to convey fans’ concerns regarding the changes. It’s thought the changes have been made to prevent ticket resale touts.
Fans recently encountered another ticket-related issue, as United intended to implement a rule that stated 17 out of 19 Premier League games must be attended to keep a season ticket.
A ticket ‘usage’ for a game includes forwarding to another member, donating the ticket to the Manchester United Foundation and selling the ticket back to the club for a full refund, but supporters felt 17 games was an unfair benchmark and won a battle to reduce that number.
Fan and club representatives met at Old Trafford on 18 April for a Fans’ Forum and it was agreed for the 2024/25 campaign that season tickets must be used for 15/19 Premier League games.
United hoped that U-turn was an example they listened to supporters’ concerns on ticket issues.