Sunderland AFC supporters are advised of several updates to away ticketing ahead of the 2024-25 season. The updates have been discussed with supporters’ group representatives at ticketing sub-group meetings and the valued feedback provided has been considered throughout. During the upcoming season, a categorisation will be applied to each away fixture: · Category A (high demand) · Category B (lesser demand) Black Cats Points will continue to determine purchase eligibility in all sales phases and the number of points required to qualify for each sales phase will vary by fixture. The categorisation of each fixture and its sales phases will be determined by several factors, including date and time, location, allocation size, historical demand, league standings, and broadcasting. There will be a minimum of three sales phases for each away fixture played during the 2024-25 season. Sales in all phases will be limited to one ticket per customer number. Phase one The number of Black Cat Points required to enter phase one will vary by fixture and this information will be communicated in advance of the sales period. All season ticket holders eligible to purchase in phase one will be guaranteed a ticket, irrespective of categorisation. Phase two The number of Black Cat Points required to enter phase two will vary by fixture and this information will be communicated in advance of the sales period. All tickets sold in phase two will be subject to availability. Tickets are not guaranteed in phase two and all tickets will be sold on a first come, first served basis, irrespective of categorisation. Phase three (Category A) The number of Black Cat Points required to enter phase three for Category A fixtures will vary by fixture and this information will be communicated in advance of the sales period. For Category A fixtures where there is a higher anticipated demand, eligible season ticket holders will be able to enter a phase three ballot, which will be open for 48 hours. 2,800 season ticket holders currently have 21-65 points and all other season ticket holders have 0-20. Due to the volume of supporters holding 1-20 BCPs, the ballot will ensure all season ticket holders eligible to purchase in phase three for Category A fixtures have a fair opportunity to secure their seat. The ballot will also remove a single time of sale that some fans may not be able to access due to their personal circumstances. Tickets are not guaranteed in phase three and are subject to availability. Fans will be able to enter the ballot as an individual or as a group (maximum of nine supporters). All season ticket holders included within the group must be eligible to enter the sales phase and groups will be successful or unsuccessful as a collective. Phase three (Category B) The number of Black Cat Points required to enter phase three for Category B fixtures will vary by fixture and this information will be communicated in advance of the sales period. For Category B fixtures where there is a lesser anticipated demand, tickets are not guaranteed and will be sold subject to availability on a first come, first served basis. Additional information Season ticket holders will continue to accumulate one Black Cat Point per away fixture per customer number and BCPs will continue to be valid for three seasons. The Club will endeavour to communicate all sales information with at least one weeks’ notice prior to the first sales phase commencing. Fans are reminded that our communication and sales in relation to away tickets is largely dictated by the home Club, who must first print and dispatch tickets, which must then be counted and checked by SAFC staff prior to sale. Please also be advised that the updates outlined above will be introduced from Portsmouth (A) onwards and they will NOT be in place for the Club’s opening away fixtures at Cardiff City and Preston North End. We would like to thank our supporters for their continued backing and look forward to seeing many of you on the road next season. Further information is available by visiting ASK SAFC.
Likely those with not many, if any points and complain about it despite having lots of general sale opportunities to build up their points……only interested in the bigger games yet act surprised when they can’t get a ticket
Could be interesting. One thing which is frustrating is that some fans will buy tickets and then pass them on to get additional BCP. I can't complain because I've got tickets this way numerous times in the past. However, I can see that the changes might make this more prevalent. Also, is 21 points likely to be the magic number? I'm on 24, but the bairn is on 19...
