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Why is Manchester City called "The Citizens"?

Explained by SportCells · 27 June 2026 · 2 min read

Why is Manchester City called "The Citizens"?

Manchester City is called "The Citizens" due to a twist on their name, giving a title to their supporters, and is also known as the "Sky Blues" due to their home jersey colour, with the nickname having a deeper meaning as a slight dig to Manchester.

Manchester City is called "The Citizens" due to a twist on their name, giving a title to their supporters. The nickname "The Citizens" is a play on the club's name, Manchester City, and is often used to refer to the team's fans.

History of the Nickname

The origin of the nickname "The Citizens" is not well-documented, but it is believed to have started in the late 19th century. The first known use of "Citizens" goes back to 1898.

Club Name and Colours

Manchester City adopted their club name in 1894, in a rebranding aimed at reflecting the whole city. The club's name change was aimed at making the team more inclusive and representative of the city of Manchester. The team's colours, sky blue, have been a part of the club's identity since 1894.

Stadium and League

Manchester City's home stadium is the Etihad Stadium, which has been their home since 2003. The team currently plays in the Premier League, which they have been a part of since the 2002/03 season. For more information on the Premier League and other football leagues, visit our football page.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

The origin of the nickname "The Citizens" is not well-documented, but it is believed to have started in the late 19th century.

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