City’s worldwide popularity continued to grow over the past season, with a host of new Official Supporters Clubs (OSC) across the globe.
No fewer than 62 OSC branches were established during the 2023-24 campaign, taking the overall total to 405 branches across 75 different countries.
The most popular territory in terms of the number of overseas branches remained the USA, with over 60 OSC branches in multiple states.
USA, China and Japan all saw an increase in memberships over the course of the 2023-24 season
USA
CHINA
JAPAN
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JAPAN
Source: Manchester City
The Club marked a major milestone moment this year, with the OSC’s 75th birthday. The OSC was established in 1949 when local branches were set up around Manchester, since then it has spread first nationally and then globally. This year’s anniversary was marked with a glittering annual OSC dinner in Manchester as 500 members, former players and staff came together to celebrate.
The event drew attendees from 60 branches, some coming from as far afield as Bolivia, Brazil and China. Together they raised an impressive £20,000, which was matched by the Club. The £40,000 total was donated to the Club’s charity, City in the Community (CITC).
City’s on-pitch successes continued to supercharge growth in new Cityzens Official Members. Major increases in memberships were posted in the United States (up 61% year-on-year), China (up 59%), and Japan (up 56%) whilst overall membership grew by 34% relative to the previous season.
Source: Manchester City
In Summer 2023, the Club embarked on its biggest ever Trophy Tour visiting 21 different countries across six continents. The tour was presented by OKX, the Club’s Official Crypto Currency Exchange and Sleeve Partner.
Fans across the globe had the opportunity to get up close and personal with the Treble trophies, starting with the pre-season tour in Japan and Korea and continuing throughout the season. The UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup trophies were added to the Trophy Tour following the Club’s success in these competitions.
A new experience was introduced, recreating the stage on which the players celebrated the Treble, while the Tour also offered match screenings, Q&As with former players and football coaching clinics for young people.
Fans in Belgium were treated to a special evening as Kevin De Bruyne returned to his hometown, Ghent, with the trophies, taking to the stage for an extended interview before an exclusive meet-and-greet.
OSC branches were involved throughout the Trophy Tour, with members in India and Brazil enjoying exclusive football tournaments amongst other activations.
The Trophy Tour also visited local community projects in Mumbai, Bandung, Washington D.C., São Paulo and Buenos Aires as part of the Club’s ongoing commitment to its global communities.
In the UK, the Trophy Tour visited fans in Greater Manchester, CITC participants and over 60 OSC branches.
City returned to Asia on their pre-season tour, with games against City Football Group sister club, Yokohama F. Marinos and Bayern Munich in Tokyo, Japan and a fixture against Atlético Madrid in Seoul, South Korea.
The tour demonstrated the growing popularity of City – tickets for the Seoul fixture sold out within 30 minutes and over 23,000 people attended open training in the South Korean capital. Thousands of fans also attended partner and Treble Trophy Tour events across the two cities and merchandise sold out at all three fixtures.
