With the details for the season tickets for 2020-21 now released, we bring you an update about the restrictions that will be facing supporters, details on how the new season ticket card and rewards card will work and the thinking behind the changes.
Supporters Back in Matches
The current plan is for the new season to start on Saturday 12th September, with supporters being able to attend matches from Saturday 3rd October. However, there will be restrictions in place for all supporters returning to matches.
What are the restrictions likely to be at the Crown Oil Arena once fans are allowed back in matches?
The capacity of the Crown Oil Arena will be reduced to around 2,170 under the Covid-19 restrictions. There will be 365 spaces in the Main Stand, 624 in the Pearl Street Stand, 353 in the Sandy Lane stand and 828 in the Willbutts Lane Stand. The plan for the stadium includes fans sat in every other row, in groups of seats between 1 and 3. The groups of 2/3 are to allow people from the same household to sit together.
With the reduced capacity, will a supporter need to buy a season ticket to be able to attend matches whilst restrictions are in place??
The vast majority of the tickets for each match will be taken up by season ticket holders. The Trust have asked that some tickets are made available to non-season ticket holders to prevent a situation where supporters not getting a season ticket are unable to attend matches until after the restrictions are lifted.
Given that it will be expected that each game will be sold out, can the club implement a scheme where season ticket holders who are unable to attend a match can make their ticket available for the club to re-sell in exchange for a £5 club shop voucher? We don’t want a situation where fans are unable to attend games that end up being under capacity.
Yes, the club would be happy to introduce such a scheme.
With reduced capacity for each stand under the restrictions, will season tickets based on these restrictions or will season tickets be sold first then accommodated throughout the ground?
Season tickets will be for the part of the ground. Once the limit for each stand is reached, those buying season tickets will be allocated into the Willbutts Lane Stand for the duration of the restrictions.
Will supporters be able buy season tickets to sit in household bubbles under the restrictions?
Yes that option will be available in groups of 2/3.
Will there be any away supporters?
There will be no away supporters during the restrictions, and there will be no scouts or free tickets available to allow as many Dale fans as possible to attend matches.
When can we expect the fixtures for the new season?
The new fixtures will be released on Friday 21st August.
What will be the financial impact on the club due to the restrictions?
At this moment in time, all scenarios are being planned for. It is an ever-changing process and given the local lockdown imposed last week. Should these restrictions be in place for the full season, it will cost the club a figure in the region of £1 million based on tickets, hospitality, and Executive boxes.
The Trust attended an EFL Network meeting with the FSA on Tuesday evening following the meeting with the club. During the meeting, the return of supporters attending matches was discussed and it is the intention of the FSA to issue Trusts with a checklist to complete with their club. Other clubs have talked about season ticket holders not being penalised for the restrictions. For example, where clubs operate loyalty schemes. At Dale, we are likely to have season ticket holders not renewing season tickets due to shielding or due to the reduction in season tickets available. We will be following up on this to request that they will still be able to retain that seat for the 2021-22 season once restrictions are lifted.
Season Card / Rewards Card (details)
How will it work?
Entry into the Crown Oil Arena will now be done using a card system that will be scanned at the turnstiles. This will apply to both season card holders and family rewards card holders. The turnstiles will still be manned and will allow checks to ensure that the appropriate card is being used.
The Season Card will have all matches loaded on to it, whilst supporters on the Rewards Day card will be able to purchase tickets to their card at any stage in advance of the game. This can be done online, via your phone or by telephoning the ticket office.
By purchasing the card, you will have your seat reserved at the Crown Oil Arena once the Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.
Will a supporter still be able to turn up on the day and purchase a ticket without purchasing the Rewards Card?
Yes, and they will be able to do so at the main ticket office, with a further purchase point being investigated. They will also be able to purchase tickets online in advance and print tickets off themselves.
What is the thinking behind the switch?
The club want to move the ticketing into the 21st century. It’s a system used successfully at many clubs within the EFL. The club said that whilst for many supporters, buying a season ticket is their preferred option, it isn’t for everyone, and this will allow supporters to gain the same benefits as season ticket holders and save money in the process.
It will make it easier for supporters to gain entry into the Crown Oil Arena. Currently, the biggest queues are always the cash turnstiles. This is seen at Cup matches when the attendance is less than the average League game, yet queues would suggest a bumper crowd.
From the club’s perspective, one of the biggest costs is the cost of handing cash and as such, this will reduce overheads. It will also make it easier to offer ticket promotions and allow supporters to reserve their seat for cup matches.
The Club held a consultation meeting open to all supporters back in January where supporters were invited to come in and discuss the proposed changes and to flag any concerns or questions that they might have over the scheme.
The Trust ran a consultation exercise with other clubs who had been through the same changes and alerted the club to what problems they might encounter. We spoke to clubs themselves and various other Supporters’ Trusts.
The only concerns raised from other clubs were:
- Print at home tickets can be a problem if the tickets get folded
- Issues once regarding a power cut 20 mins before kick off
- Concerns regarding queues at the ticket office, mostly for cup games where season ticket holders were required to purchase match tickets
Will support be given at the ticket office for those finding the process difficult?
Yes, the ticket office will be fully staffed to support people with this. The club have asked for patience with this as they will be operating under restrictions themselves, but they will cover every possible issue. There is an appreciation that this is an ever-changing process
Season Tickets
The price of the season tickets has increased. What is the thinking behind that?
The club have faced severe financial challenges due to Covid-19 both last season and the next one, and it has not been possible to retain the cheap season tickets of the past three seasons. However, they are confident that the prices for season cards represent fantastic value for money for League One football.
The Trust has since carried out extensive research into season ticket prices. Based on the information released so far (not all clubs have released details), the £200 season card for the Sandy Lane is currently the cheapest season ticket in League One next season (not all clubs have released details so far). Furthermore, the £270 season ticket for the Pearl Street Stand is amongst the cheapest for a seat in League One next season. Details of other clubs’ season tickets can be found here.
Historically, the season cards will be cheaper than seven out of the last ten seasons at the Crown Oil Arena. Details of previous season ticket prices can be found here.
There is no senior season card or country season card available for next season. Why is this?
The club feels that the prices for the Season cards or matchday admission through the Rewards Card still makes football very affordable for all supporters.