Manchester Pride Faces Backlash for More Than Doubling Ticket Prices

Manchester Pride organisers have found themselves in hot water after more than doubling the price of their tickets before a line-up has even been announced, reports Manchester Evening News.

Weekend prices have risen to £70.95 this, which were sold at staggered prices of £22 to £28 last year. Pride goers have criticised the move as pricing a huge segment of the LGBT+ community out of being able to attend, including students who made up a large part of the festivities last year.

On Facebook user wrote: "£70 is absolutely ridiculous when there is no line up announced. You are pricing people out of pride. How does it make sense that we used to pay £20-30 to get in the village AND listen to acts but not only is it £70 to see acts it’s £16 for entry to the village. To do what? £16 to walk down the street and go into bars that are open year round anyway. Very bizarre safe to say it I do go I’ll be getting the cheaper weekend ticket."

Organisers have defended the price hike, saying they have “very special shows planned” and they “anticipate the event will sell out.”

They maintain this year’s pride can’t be compared to last year’s, for 2019 they are offering “the biggest line up of artists we’ve ever had, for less than the price of a single concert ticket.”

"So sad that @ManchesterPride are charging £70+ for top tier tickets,” wrote one twitter user. “The commercialisation for profit of an event that should celebrate diversity is now only for those that can afford it, shameful indeed."

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