Chelsea fans 'reject' ticket sale changes - CST
- Published
The Chelsea Supporters' Trust (CST) says it "overwhelmingly rejects" the club's proposed changes to its ballot system.
Some of the measures were "sensible and long overdue", the CST said in a statement, external, but added the proposals lacked detail and called on Chelsea to "pause" and "re‑evaluate" changes to the digital ticketing system introduced this season, in line with Premier League rules, external.
It follows Chelsea's announcement on Wednesday that it will introduce what the club describes as a "ticket application window", which the CST characterises as a ballot allowing members with a minimum number of loyalty points to apply for tickets.
Some Chelsea members perceive the proposal as unfair or insufficiently detailed, with concerns it could allow access to tickets for supporters with fewer loyalty points.
The ballot is just one of a number of changes, which also include:
All ticket holders being required to undergo ID checks in an effort to curb touting.
Loyalty points being awarded only for attending men's first‑team home matches, rather than simply purchasing a ticket.
Season‑ticket holders being required to attend at least 13 Premier League home games (out of 19).
Changes to away ticketing, ticket exchanges and allocations in the family stand.
Chelsea say the policies are designed to improve the atmosphere and access to tickets for genuine supporters, while reducing touting - an issue that particularly affects the club as a so‑called 'big six' side playing in a London stadium with a capacity of around 40,000.
The club has previously said it blocks up to 80,000 bots per match from its online ticketing system and has increased investment in that area.
There has yet to be any update on ticket pricing for next season.
When asked for comment, a Chelsea spokesperson told BBC Sport: "Over recent months, the club has received feedback from fans regarding experiences with the existing ticketing system, including queues, inconsistencies and inflexible login times. We have listened to those concerns and are introducing a ticket application window to help address them.
"At Chelsea FC we want to keep improving the systems fans regularly use. Our priority is to ensure the process for supporters accessing tickets is fair, flexible and most importantly increases access for real fans to real tickets. The ticket application window - a system used by more than half of other Premier League clubs - will help to deliver this.
"The ticket application window will continue to reward loyalty and will provide new opportunities for fans to access tickets, making it one of the most supporter friendly approaches to a system of this kind."
They added they will "continue to work with the Fan Advisory Board to ensure these changes are delivered smoothly and will continue take onboard supporter feedback".
