Real Madrid was one of my first Man City games - I saved for three years (2025)

Manchester City memberships are seized on by opposition fans and third party sites, but they do allow genuine fans to have unbelievable experiences

Some of the problems with Manchester City memberships have been highlighted this season. The £35 fee paid to be eligible to buy tickets has not put off some opposition fans from signing up in order to attend a game, or third party sites from hoovering up returns and selling them for inflated prices to the highest bidder.

However, any system will always be targeted by those either desperate to get in for a particular match or those whose business it is to turn a profit from fleecing fans. Any number of measures can still be bypassed by anyone determined enough.

What the matchday membership does is act as a first screen of protection to ensure that tickets in the home end go to home fans. If you are a committed City fan who wants to attend a game, you will not have an issue with paying the annual fee on top of any tickets you buy.

City matches are subject to various criteria depending on how high-profile the match is and the level of safety concerns. Away tickets are sorted by loyalty points, season ticket holders have the ability at the start of the season to attend all cup games, and proof of attending previous games may be required.

Anyone who wanted to go to Feyenoord this season had to have been to a previous City game, while anyone who wanted to go to Liverpool needed to have been to five. There were further checks at the ground to try to ensure no away fans slipped through the net, as well as action taken retrospectively to ban anyone who had been found to had.

City's semi-final against Real Madrid in 2022 - a thriller of a game that finished 4-3 - was put on sale to members and some disagreed with this, arguing there should be stricter requirements.

However, that allowed for supporters such as South African Menzi Percy Khuzwayo to make their dreams even better. He saved for three years to plan a two-week trip that took in matches against Brighton and Watford (bought on general sale) as well as the women's team playing Leicester, and went to the ground or training ground on 13 of the 14 days he was in Manchester to try and see the players whenever he could.

The criteria for Real allowed him to get in for one of the best matches ever seen at the Etihad, ensuring that a super-fan who had travelled thousands of miles at great expense to see the team he supporters got an amazing experience. Unsurprisingly, despite the cost, he has been back once since and is saving for the next time he can come over.

"It gives us an opportunity. Coming from abroad, the whole thing is expensive," he told the Manchester Evening News. "For some it's not as expensive as it feels for me but when you're looking at the currency you have to save a lot so it's good that when fans aren't able to attend they can list their ticket and it helps us.

"Having to buy a matchday membership when you aren't sure that you're going to be there this season. The criteria excludes us a lot. When the tickets are coming out, the criteria mostly kicks you out because you don't have the points or haven't attended multiple home matches. It's hard because you are abroad.

"But having them on general sale, at least I can get to watch a game or two. It's expensive and it's getting more and more difficult with tickets."

Real Madrid may have been just his third men's game, but nobody could argue this fan's support. There are plenty more like him, and for the problems that membership can throw up it also allows opportunities to fans who are only coming to one or a few games a season.

The same is true for the decision made a few years ago to put all home games for sale in summer. It may go against the local fan who doesn't have the money to buy all the tickets he wants in one go and wants to wait until nearer the time, but does help those planning an overseas trip to have confirmation they can attend a game without having to resort to unauthorised third party sites.

As much as City pride themselves on their core fanbase, the Etihad has increasingly become a destination for the club's growing numbers around the world to want to visit. It is only right that they get the chance if they can, and membership may just get them in for the best game they will ever see.

The MEN are taking a closer look at the ticketing issues around City with a series of special reports. You won't miss any of them by joining our free WhatsApp group here or subscribing to our free newsletter service here.