[1]The next Fans Forum which we be held on February 9th before the Wigan game will be totally dedicated to the ticketing policy for the 2013/14 season.
It is very important to ensure your voice is heard as when the policy has been agreed the club will not amend/change it for the whole of the season.
The ticketing policy dictates how Chelsea FC manage the selling and distribution of home and away ticket allocations. Pricing will also be discussed.
The Chelsea Supporters Group will obviously be advocating a freeze on all ticket prices given the current economic climate, the ever rising contribution of Sky TV to the Premier League and so to the football clubs and due to the fact that we already believe that ticket prices are too high and have and will continue to drive the average fan out of the game.
One of the most contentious aspects of the ticketing policy is the way that away tickets are distributed. Specifically when it comes to the season ticket holders/members split and the loyalty points required to secure a ticket.
The CSG understands that there is no process/arrangement which will please all – equally the club have to try and implement a system which rewards loyalty but also gives as many fans as possible the opportunity to attend away games.
It is difficult to balance the requirements of both season ticket holders and members in this regard – and we are looking for feedback from match going individuals in ways in which the club can best accommodate both groups.
When looking at this issue, it is important to keep in mind not what is simply best for you whether you be a member, season ticket holder or away ST holder – but what is also best for the ongoing support of the club. Many site loyalty as the only way to distribute tickets and although this should form the basis for any policy, it cannot be the only criteria used as we all view loyalty differently.
Taking into account previous discussions it seems that the most contentious items seem to be the current 60/40 split for away tickets between season ticket holders& members and the loyalty points required for members once the allocation of season ticket holders tickets have sold out.
Some have suggested that members should only have access to away tickets once all season ticket holders have a ticket if they want one; we feel this is unfair and would make the membership worthless for the majority – something which will not be considered by the club purely on commercial grounds. Also there are many reasons why some fans are members rather than ST holders – it does not make them any less loyal.
Perhaps what should be discussed is tweaking that split – the CSG committee discussed this aspect and decided that perhaps 70/30 would be more acceptable – thoughts?
Also, we thought that perhaps the loyalty points required for games should be the same for ST holders and members – i.e. if ST holders allocation sold out at say 80 points – then the membership allocation should only go to that level too (although an adjustment would have to be made to allow for the fact that ST holders get 47 points up front at the beginning of the season); once that level is reached tickets would go back on sale to ST holders and members either on an agreed loyalty point level – or on a first come first served basis – thoughts?
When mulling these issues over, it should be noted that this issue only ever flares up for a particularly popular game or where we have an unusually small allocation – less than a handful of games a season.
Let us know what you think about only 5% of tickets being sold over the phone/personal callers, how loyalty points are awarded, junior/juvenile prices and any other aspect of the ticketing policy that you would like input into.
Please use the comments section below – or alternatively e-mail us on info@chelseasupportersgroup.net [1] (please put Fans Forum in the subject field) – we will then collate all the information we get and put it before the club.
CSG Committee