Nottingham Forest have announced tickets for their upcoming FA Cup tie with Luton Town will be digital or print at home only.
The change for the third round clash is part of the club’s phased approach to adopting digital ticketing. It comes as digital ticketing will become a mandatory requirement for all Premier League teams from the 2026/27 season.
The Reds will host the Hatters at the City Ground in the FA Cup on Saturday, January 11 (3pm kick-off). For that game, Forest say season card holders will not have their ticket uploaded to their season card as all tickets will be issued digital/print at home only.
Announcing the decision, the club said: “Between now and the 2026/27 season, there will be other implementations regarding digital ticketing to best ensure that the club and its supporters are fully prepared for when this will be a mandatory requirement from the start of the 2026/27 season. Further communication will be provided regarding digital ticketing during that period.”
Explaining digital tickets, Forest added: “From the start of season 2026/27, digital tickets will have replaced other phased-out methods of sales such as paper tickets, print-at-home options, or plastic cards. Home ticket transfer schemes, for the authorised resale of tickets, will also be facilitated through digital tickets only.
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Premier League
“League rules will require clubs to ensure that season tickets and all home and away match tickets by default are made available as digital tickets. Clubs will retain some discretion to make some tickets available in other formats to supporters who have reasonable grounds to request them. This may include supporters who have a disability that makes the purchase or use of digital tickets challenging.”
In August, the Premier League confirmed that at their June AGM clubs agreed to the phased adoption of new digital ticketing requirements - starting from the beginning of the season. The Premier League said at the time: “A two-year phased-in period will begin in August, creating an opportunity for all clubs to make the necessary changes to its current ticketing offer. Digital ticketing will become a mandatory requirement for all existing Premier League clubs by no later than season 2026/27. Newly promoted clubs will have a period of two years to implement its use upon joining the League.”
The Reds will take on Luton next month with head coach Nuno Espirito Santo no doubt eager to go on a good cup run. He has spoken several times about how much the FA Cup means to him.
Last season, Forest were knocked out of the cup by Manchester United in the fifth round as they lost 1-0 at home to their Premier League rivals. Nuno’s men had got past Blackpool and Bristol City to reach that point.
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