Manchester City – The Fans

Matchday experience

Manchester City has expanded and enhanced every aspect of the matchday experience over the last decade. The Club has continued to offer affordable season tickets, even as it has invested significantly in facilities and performances on the pitch have improved.

City has gradually transformed the Etihad Stadium – with increased capacity, customer service and fan experience innovations, improved transport and catering – with matchday attendances and memberships up as a result

Highlights

2009-10

Indoor, fully accessible Ticket Office and Supporter Services centre opens on first floor of new City Store.

2010-11

The City Promise launched, club-wide customer service initiative aimed at making a visit to the Etihad Stadium the best experience in world football (August 2010). City Square fan zone opens with café, bar and entertainment district.

2010-11

Enhanced and expanded Family Stand opens with capacity for up to 8,000 supporters.

2011-12

City players take the Premier League trophy through the City centre on an open top bus at the end of the season.

2012-13

Metrolink line to Etihad Campus opens (February 2013). Hospitality spaces undergo and overhaul, including the creation of the new Chairman’s Club, and refurbishment of the Mancunian Suite.

2013-14

The first ever ‘City Live’ season launch party takes place.

2014-15

Installation of giant video screens and second tier LED ribbon, Production Control Room and Broadcast Communications Room, allowing full control over the digital assets to improve the stadium fan experience.

2015-16

Opening of the expanded Etihad Stadium, with the capacity increased to more than 54,000.

2015-16

Unveiling of the City Circle – a lasting tribute to supporters and players, past and present located at the base of the Nexen Bridge.

2016-17

First ever Cityzens Weekend at the City Football Academy – unveiling the new Manager, new badge, new season to fans before anyone else.

2016-17

Changing Places facility opens within the Etihad Stadium, further enhancing the club’s provision for disabled supporters.

2017-18

Launch of The Tunnel Club, a UK first in football, providing backstage access to world class football (August 2017).

2017-18

Awarded Level Playing Field Centre of Excellence award in recognition of the accessible facilities and services offered at the Etihad Stadium.

Average attendances for home games at the Etihad Stadium

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Manchester City (home games)

Premier League average

Average attendances for 2011-12 Manchester City 43k, Premier League 36k

2008-09

2017-18

26%

Manchester City growth

Premier league average growth

Memberships

Source: Manchester City. Growth rates based on exact numbers

Since introducing a £250 season ticket in 2009-10, Manchester City has offered the cheapest season ticket of any of the Premier League clubs finishing in the top ten every season, apart from 2015-16 (when Stoke City’s was £5 cheaper)

Cheapest annual season ticket of top ten Premier League clubs

Manchester City has expanded and enhanced every aspect of the matchday experience over the last decade

Matchday at the Etihad Stadium

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Seasoncard retention rate

2007-08

2017-18

17pts

Growth over 10 years

Global fan engagement

Success on the pitch, combined with an innovative digital and social media strategy, have transformed the level of interest in Manchester City around the world.

Manchester City has quadrupled its global fanbase since 2010. This is reflected in greater interest in news about City and higher levels of viewing of City games on TV around the world

Global fanbase

Source: Manchester City, Nielsen Sports

Online searches

Volume of monthly Google searches for ‘Manchester City’, 2008-2018 (peak = 100)

City’s proactive approach to digital and social media has led to significant increases on key platforms. It is the second biggest football club in the world in terms of cumulative YouTube views

City innovation in digital and social media

2008-09

Launched new ticketing website, as well as Man City’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.

2009-10

Club moves to a free-to-view video service, launching CityTV and an award winning new website (Roses award for best website, econsultancy CMS implementation of the year, Webby Nomination).

2010-11

Club publishes its first video on YouTube and launches Lovie-award winning iPhone CityApp, website wins Sports Website of the Year and Lovie award.

2011-12

Man City is the third most played football club in the world on EA Sports’ FIFA 12 online game. The Club website wins Champions League Website of the Year.

2012-13

More video views on YouTube than any other football club in the world. Launched 12 international websites, most languages covered in the Premier League.

2013-14

City was ranked the best football club on social by Accepted Socially, and passes 100 million lifetime views on YouTube.

2014-15

Launched Matchday App, companion app for matchday audience and fans in the stadium.

2015-16

Club record-breaking views on YouTube, producing the most ever in a season with 82 million.

2016-17

The top-placed football club in the world in SportTechie’s ranking of the 25 Most Tech-Savvy Sports Teams. Launched new website.

2017-18

Passed 1 million subscribers on YouTube, becoming one of only three football clubs to exceed this threshold.

TV, digital and social media

Source: YouTube analytics, Facebook analytics, Brightcove analytics, Twitter analytics, CrowdTangle, Sky, NBC Sports. Growth rates based on exact numbers

the fans

Heart and soul

Matchday experience

City has gradually transformed the Etihad Stadium – with increased capacity, customer service and fan experience innovations, improved transport and catering – with matchday attendances and memberships up as a result

Highlights

2009-10

2010-11

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2015-16

2016-17

2016-17

2017-18

2017-18

Average attendances for home games at the Etihad Stadium

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Memberships

Since introducing a £250 season ticket in 2009-10, Manchester City has offered the cheapest season ticket of any of the Premier League clubs finishing in the top ten every season, apart from 2015-16 (when Stoke City’s was £5 cheaper)

Cheapest annual season ticket of top ten Premier League clubs

Manchester City has expanded and enhanced every aspect of the matchday experience over the last decade

Matchday at the Etihad Stadium

Filter by

Seasoncard retention rate

Occupancy rate at the Etihad

Global fan engagement

Manchester City has quadrupled its global fanbase since 2010. This is reflected in greater interest in news about City and higher levels of viewing of City games on TV around the world

Global fanbase

Online searches

Volume of monthly Google searches for ‘Manchester City’, 2008-2018 (peak = 100)

City’s proactive approach to digital and social media has led to significant increases on key platforms. It is the second biggest football club in the world in terms of cumulative YouTube views

City innovation in digital and social media

2008-09

2009-10

2010-11

2011-12

2012-13

2013-14

2014-15

2015-16

2016-17

2017-18

TV, digital and social media

community

Changing lives