Sunderland’s new membership scheme launched this morning
Sunderland have released more details about the club’s new membership scheme - including how the new ticketing ballots will work.
The membership scheme went on sale to fans at 10am on Tuesday morning, with three tiers available. Season Ticket Plus is available to existing season ticket holders, offering access to bonus content and events as well as to a ticket ballot for away games. Black Cats Adult is for non season ticket holders, offering access to additional content and events as well as access to the season ticket waiting list and a ballot for all home games. Black Cats Academy is the same scheme as Black Cats Adult but for children.
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Sunderland membership scheme | Sunderland AFC
In this article, we answered some of the questions fans were asking about the scheme and explained how it works in principle. To accompany the launch of the scheme this morning, the club issues a Q&A issuing more details on how the ballots will work. Here’s what we learned...
An important Europa League home game update
Some season ticket holders were initially concerned that the membership scheme might impact their access to Europa League home games, but the club have confirmed that the two are not linked.
The club say that more details will be published in the coming weeks, but that season ticket holders ‘will follow the normal ticketing process for cup games and secure your seat during a season ticket holders priority sales window.’ The club have been keen to stress that none of the existing privileges that come with being a season ticket holder are impacted by the new membership scheme.
When home tickets will go on sale to non members
As expected, the club have confirmed that non members will be able to buy tickets for home games - but only if there are not all taken in the ballot. Given the demand for tickets last season, it’s fair to assume this won’t be very often.
The club’s Q&A states: “Home tickets are first made available to Black Cats - Adult and Academy members via a ballot. Should any tickets remain after the ballot phase they will be available for non-members to purchase via a general sale.”
Successful ballot winners won’t pick their seat - but will be allocated one in line with their preference
The club have confirmed that when supporters opt-in to the ballot for a home game, they’ll state their preference for areas they’d like to sit. Supporters will be automatically assigned a seat in line with their preference - and there’ll also be an option to state that you don’t mind where you sit. Once the seat is reserved then fans will have to complete the transaction to secure their ticket.
Ballot winners can sit together - but only if there is sufficient space
The club have confirmed that one membership equals one ticket in the ballot, so if you are a family or a friendship group who want to sit together then you all need to be members. You can then link your accounts together and apply as a group. If seats together aren’t available, the club say you will be given the option as to whether to proceed with what is available.
What happens if my child wins a ticket on the ballot?
The club say that when you apply for a ballot, any U16 account must be linked with an adult member. If an U16 wins but isn’t automatically next to the adult also in the ballot, then you can contact the club to arrange a seat move before the game.
Black Cats Points scheme remains the same
Though the club’s decision to reserve 10% of all away allocations for an away ballot means there will be fewer tickets available for the Black Cap Points scheme, it will still operate in the same way.
Here’s what the club have said: “Black Cat Points continues as before: 90% of the general admission away allocation is released across Phases 1 and 2. The new ballot system runs alongside Phases 1 and 2, covering the remaining 10% of tickets, depending on the fixture. Any tickets remaining after both Phases 1 & 2 and the ballot will be released for Phase 3 for Black Cat Points holders.”
You can read the Q&A from the club in full here
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