Fans of Chelsea going to Stamford Bridge this Sunday for the season opener against Crystal Palace will be the first to use the club’s new digital ticketing system. The Blues have switched from paper tickets to mobile-only entry, which is a big step forward in making it easier to get into the stadium. However, there is always a chance of problems on the first day with new technology.
Daniel Finkelstein, chair of Chelsea Foundation, has urged fans to plan ahead and give themselves more time to get into the stadium. For game on the weekend, turnstiles will open 90 minutes before the game starts. This gives fans plenty of time to get in without feeling rushed.
People who get there early will also get a special deal: drinks will be half off for the first hour after the gates open. The offer is meant to make the turnstiles less crowded and improve the atmosphere on match day, whether it’s a pre-game pint or a soft drink.
How to Access Tickets to the Chelsea Game
You can now get digital tickets in the “Tickets” section of the Chelsea Official App. General admission season ticket holders can already see the game against Palace on Sunday. Fans need to make sure their app is up to date and that they have downloaded their match ticket before they get there. On match days, the club has also set up special help desks and digital support zones for people who are having trouble at the turnstiles.
Chelsea’s matchday advice says that fans should try to get to their seats at least 30 minutes before the game starts. This gives security enough time to check everyone and makes sure fans don’t miss the first whistle because of long lines.
In the past, the Premier League has shown that even well-prepared digital entry systems can slow down when thousands of people show up at the same time. This is why it is important to stagger arrivals.