When it comes to providing tickets for the Europa League final, Manchester United and Tottenham have taken two very different approaches, leaving fans and staff alike with varying expectations.
United’s Ticket Strategy: Prioritizing Fans Over Staff
Manchester United, for the upcoming Europa League final in Bilbao on May 21, has decided to prioritize supporters over their own staff when it comes to ticket allocations.
With around 15,000 tickets set aside for the match, the club is holding a ballot for staff members, but only a small number of tickets are available through this process.
For the majority of employees, a screening event will be hosted in Manchester, with an invitation extended to plus-ones. Staff will receive two complimentary drinks, though their guests will need to pay for theirs.
The club’s rationale behind this decision is to ensure that tickets go to the fans who have supported the team throughout the season, with a significant demand for tickets.
There’s an understanding within the club that supporters would feel disappointed if a large portion of the limited tickets were allocated to employees instead of matchgoers.
This ticket policy is part of a broader cost-cutting effort led by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos group, following two rounds of redundancies.
This process, aimed at reducing expenses and focusing on improving the team, has already resulted in the loss of around 450 jobs, with further layoffs expected.
United has also canceled its Christmas party, and the Europa League ticket policy follows this leaner approach.
The decision has sparked frustration among some employees who feel they’re missing out on the opportunity to attend the final.
Spurs Offer Complimentary Tickets to Full-Time Staff
In contrast, Tottenham Hotspur is offering a much more generous deal to their staff.
Every full-time employee is entitled to one complimentary ticket for the Europa League final.
This offer applies to around 700 employees, although it remains unclear how many will take up the offer due to the high cost of travel and accommodation in Bilbao, which could run into thousands of pounds.
While Tottenham’s approach seems far more inclusive compared to United’s, it’s worth noting that Spurs are also facing their own challenges in balancing staff benefits with ticket demands, especially given the high volume of season ticket holders the club has.
United’s Ticket History and Approach to Staff Benefits
Historically, Manchester United has been more generous with staff benefits when it comes to major finals, especially in previous Champions League campaigns.
In the past, the club has covered flights, accommodation, and food costs for staff attending the Champions League final.
However, for the 2017 Europa League final, the club had to adapt to a smaller ticket allocation (only 10,000 tickets).
They planned a Manchester-based event with free drinks and entertainment, which was unfortunately canceled after the tragic Manchester Arena bombing.
More recently, in 2021, United’s allocation for the Europa League final in Gdansk was even smaller, with just 2,000 tickets available.
This limited allocation further underscored the challenges in providing tickets for staff while keeping fans as a top priority.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Generous Offer
In a move that contrasts with both United and Tottenham, Paris Saint-Germain has chosen to cover the costs of tickets, travel, and accommodations for all 600 of their staff for the Champions League final against Inter Milan in Munich.
Both PSG and Inter Milan have received around 19,000 tickets for the match, with PSG’s decision to take care of their staff’s expenses highlighting a more employee-friendly approach.
Inter Milan is also reported to be providing free tickets for their staff, making their strategy similar to that of PSG.
What’s Next?
With various clubs taking different approaches to staff ticket allocations, it remains to be seen whether Manchester United will adjust its policies in future seasons.
The situation is evolving, but fans and employees alike are paying attention to how these decisions reflect each club’s priorities and financial strategies.