3/1 To Win
Derby County Chief Executive Officer Stephen Pearce provides an update to supporters in relation to Season Tickets for the upcoming 2021/22 season.
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As a club, we are continuing to liaise with the relevant health and safety authorities and football’s governing bodies for the return of supporters to Pride Park Stadium for the upcoming season.
We are conscious that supporters are eagerly awaiting an update in relation to Season Tickets for the 2021/22 season and particularly after the UK Government advised earlier this week that lockdown restrictions will be lifted from Monday 19th July. However, we are also mindful that plans for supporters returning to sports events are still somewhat unclear and logistically challenging.
In relation to Season Tickets, we are aware that plans for supporters returning to stadiums in the last year have been difficult for ourselves and other organisations at various stages.
The recent test events across the country have been encouraging, and stadium capacities at both Wembley and Wimbledon were progressively increased leading into their respective finals, we still must be very mindful and aware that COVID-19 has not gone away.
The decision has been made at this time, without knowing if future lockdown measures will be reinforced, not to go on sale with full Season Tickets just yet to avoid supporters making a substantial financial commitment with little return.
We hope that our supporters understand this cautious approach and as club as many as 8,000 supporters made a financial commitment for a 2020/21 Season Ticket and were unable to attend any matches.
We certainly do not want that to happen again and once we receive more comfort and guidance in the coming weeks, and there is not another lockdown looming because of the lifting of the restrictions, then Season Tickets will be placed on sale as soon as physically possible.
Should this be after the start of the season, Season Tickets would go on sale on a pro rata basis. We want this, like our supporters, to be as soon as possible - but we feel this approach is a best one to take at this moment.
Another reason for this decision is that if we were forced to play under reduced capacities, such as Sunday when we play Manchester United at Pride Park Stadium with a 25% stadium capacity the 8,000 Season Ticket holders we have already would be able to be honoured, and therefore selling more Season Tickets at this stage could mean we would not be able honour everybody if a backwards step was taken on capacities.
In the short-term, we will proceed with Match Ticket sales on a game-by-game basis for league and cup games at Pride Park Stadium for the start of the 2021/22 season. This is, of course, subject to constant review and we hope that we will be able to progress to selling Season Tickets very soon.
We will endeavour to provide detailed information regarding the on-sale dates and prices for match tickets in the very near future, which will also provide both 2019/20 and 2020/21 Season Ticket holders with the opportunity to secure their usual reserved/preferred seat locations for league matches.
Historically, Season Ticket holders have been able to secure their seat at the cheapest possible price and match-by-match sales, per game, would work out at a higher cost.
2020/21 Season Ticket holders will be able to obtain their match ticket on a game-by-game basis free of charge on our online ticketing system. 2019/20 Season Ticket holders will be able to purchase a ticket at a discounted price.
As previously stated, priority for home league matches will be given to 2020/21 Season Ticket holders who will also receive a full credit of their season ticket purchase price redeemable against the price of either a 2021/22 Season Ticket (effectively a ‘free season ticket card’) or 2021/22 Season Home League Match Tickets.
When appropriate, the club will also honour the options selected by qualifying 2019/20 Season Ticket holders, Half Season Ticket holders, Match Ticket holders, Members, and Car Park Permit Holders.
As soon as we can provide another update regarding Season Tickets, communication will be made to supporters as soon as possible.
Supporters with any other ticket related enquiries should email [email protected].
Finally, I would like to thank our supporters for their continued patience and understanding and look forward to seeing our loyal and dedicated fanbase return to Pride Park Stadium in the weeks ahead - starting at this Sunday’s pre-season friendly against Manchester United with a limited capacity. It has been far too long.
Stephen Pearce
Chief Executive Officer
Derby County Football Club
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Please Note:
* Ticket sales will continue online on dcfc.co.uk so that each supporter is able to check and agree to the new Code of Conduct and Terms & Conditions ahead of each fixture.
* The club is unable to reactivate existing season tickets cards as the chips within them have expired.
* As long as there remains to be no social distancing rules in place, match ticket events will be treated much like a ‘cup fixture’; the club would hold seats for 2020/21 & 2019/20 Season Ticket holders during a priority window of booking to enable them to claim their seats.
* Should social distancing rules return, the club will, if permitted to, adapt the pairs and single seating plan and buying process.
* For future online sales, the club will revert to supplying a reservation link that Season Ticket holders will be able to use that will direct them to book/purchase their usual seat.
