The Race for FA Cup Semi-Final Tickets: Forest vs. Man City at Wembley
This year’s FA Cup semi-final between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City promises to electrify Wembley on April 27, 2025. Forest, finally returning to the national stadium after years off the big stage, face City, who are almost getting used to semi-finals after making it for the seventh time in a row. No surprise, tickets have become gold dust.
On the Nottingham Forest side, fans have snapped up a generous allocation of 34,000 seats. It’s a hot ticket, representing a rare Wembley visit for the club’s loyal supporters. For Manchester City fans, the club secured an even bigger share: 36,230 tickets, including 100 wheelchair bays for extra accessibility coverage. The excitement for both fanbases is already off the charts.
But getting a ticket isn’t just a matter of logging on and clicking ‘buy’. There’s an order to the chaos. Season ticket holders and club members—like Cityzens Matchday and Junior Members—get first dibs. Man City kicked off sales on April 14, unlocking tickets for their membership groups in tightly managed waves. If you’re not in one of these trusted circles, you’re likely fighting an uphill battle.
Ticket Prices, Digital Access, and Resale Workarounds
Pricing is another wrinkle. Official tickets for the FA Cup semi-final cover a wide range: adults can land a seat for as little as £30 if they don’t mind the upper tiers (Category 4). Want to live it up in Level 2 hospitality? That’ll be £150 for the privilege. Young fans and seniors catch a bit of a break with discounted rates, helping families fill out the stands.
Every ticket gets sent out as a mobile pass. No paper, no print-at-home—only digital tickets linked to your phone wallet. Forget about passing your ticket on: once it’s in your wallet, it’s yours, and refunds vanish if you cancel in the final week before kick-off. The digital shift aims to cut down on fraud and touting, but it’s tripped up some less tech-savvy supporters.
Missed the official sales phases? There’s still hope—but it’s expensive. Websites like Livefootballtickets are already listing FA Cup tickets from £81 and upwards. These third-party resellers charge big premiums, especially as demand soars. While you might snag a seat, you’ll pay a hefty price just to be part of the action.
Hospitality packages offer another door in, provided you have deep pockets. These bundles throw in perks like prime seats and exclusive lounge access but rarely come cheap. Fans desperate to witness Forest’s Wembley adventure or City’s relentless pursuit of silverware may decide it’s worth the splurge.
With rival fans buzzing, allocations tight, and prices all over the map, the race for an FA Cup semi-final spot at Wembley is as heated as ever. Whether you’re lucky enough to score a digital pass directly or you’re combing the resale sites, competition will be fierce up to matchday. Forest’s rare shot at glory is fueling a red wave in ticket demand, while City fans hope to cement another chapter in their modern dominance. Wembley’s going to be riotous, no matter who you support.
