Away tickets - Ipswich policy to avoid a closed shop on getting a ticket (3 Viewers)

play_in_skyblue_stripes · 2025-10-23T16:55:25+0100

There has been a long running conversation about it being a increasingly closed shop for away tickets.

I do hope Coventry City consider this. It is virtually impossible to get tickets now. You can only increase your points at Coventry by going to away games and when you cant get tickets you become even further behind and even less opportunity. Lots of people post saying the current system is fair but I can imagine the majority of those are in the 'I'm all right' cohort. Take a look below at Ipswich post for their away game at Coventry City. Seems a very fair approach with providing some people a chance of going and keeps the away support fresh.

The ballot for the game with Coventry will open from midday on Friday, 24 October, before closing for entries at 5pm on Monday, 27 October.

Following feedback, the Club will also be introducing a ballot for ticket sales once a fixture has sold out (a percentage will always be held back for the ballot) during a membership priority window. For example, should an away fixture sell out during the 15+ APP points window, members who fall in this and the next priority window and below (ie 5+ through to 19 APP) will be eligible to enter a ballot for the chance to purchase a ticket for the selected away fixture. The number of tickets in the ballot will be determined by the away ticket allocation that the Club receives for the selected away fixture.

EXAMPLE SALES WINDOWS FOR AWAY LEAGUE GAMES IN 2024/25

Monday, 10am – Members with 30+ points.
Tuesday, 10am – Members with 25+ points.
Wednesday, 10am – Members with 20+ points.
Thursday, 10am – Members with 15+ points.
Friday, 10am – Members with 10+ points.
Monday, 10am – Members with 5+ points.
Tuesday, 10am – Season ticket holders.

Balli001 · 2025-10-23T17:10:44+0100

play_in_skyblue_stripes said:
There has been a long running conversation about it being a increasingly closed shop for away tickets.

I do hope Coventry City consider this. It is virtually impossible to get tickets now. You can only increase your points at Coventry by going to away games and when you cant get tickets you become even further behind and even less opportunity. Lots of people post saying the current system is fair but I can imagine the majority of those are in the 'I'm all right' cohort. Take a look below at Ipswich post for their away game at Coventry City. Seems a very fair approach with providing some people a chance of going and keeps the away support fresh.

The ballot for the game with Coventry will open from midday on Friday, 24 October, before closing for entries at 5pm on Monday, 27 October.

Following feedback, the Club will also be introducing a ballot for ticket sales once a fixture has sold out (a percentage will always be held back for the ballot) during a membership priority window. For example, should an away fixture sell out during the 15+ APP points window, members who fall in this and the next priority window and below (ie 5+ through to 19 APP) will be eligible to enter a ballot for the chance to purchase a ticket for the selected away fixture. The number of tickets in the ballot will be determined by the away ticket allocation that the Club receives for the selected away fixture.

EXAMPLE SALES WINDOWS FOR AWAY LEAGUE GAMES IN 2024/25

Monday, 10am – Members with 30+ points.

Tuesday, 10am – Members with 25+ points.

Wednesday, 10am – Members with 20+ points.

Thursday, 10am – Members with 15+ points.

Friday, 10am – Members with 10+ points.

Monday, 10am – Members with 5+ points.

Tuesday, 10am – Season ticket holders.

Several have gone to general sale already. That isnt 'impossible' to get tickets is it? A portion is already held back for supporters clubs so if any more are held back there wont be any for points holders

ccfctommy · 2025-10-23T17:31:01+0100

Millwall went to generally sale. Sheffield Wednesday on a Saturday went to general sale. Portsmouth went to general sale.

You're talking shit.

Marty · 2025-10-23T17:35:00+0100

ccfctommy said:
Millwall went to generally sale. Sheffield Wednesday on a Saturday went to general sale. Portsmouth went to general sale.

You're talking shit.

You don't understand, he wants access to Blues and Leicester away games as a fairweather fan.

WestEndAgro · 2025-10-23T17:35:20+0100

You can't penalise people who have done the hard yards, it's always the same faces, because they deserve it.
I'm certain you will be able to get a ticket for Middlesbrough on a Tuesday night though.

torchomatic · 2025-10-23T17:36:24+0100

Wouldn't be happy with a ballot. I put in a lot of miles and have a healthy points total. Why should I potentially miss out in a lottery to someone who could have many hundreds of points less?

As others have said, games this season he gone to a general sale. There were loads of empty seats around me at Wednesday. Same last season.

Would strongly object to this.

torchomatic · 2025-10-23T17:41:45+0100

play_in_skyblue_stripes said:
There has been a long running conversation about it being a increasingly closed shop for away tickets.

I do hope Coventry City consider this. It is virtually impossible to get tickets now. You can only increase your points at Coventry by going to away games and when you cant get tickets you become even further behind and even less opportunity. Lots of people post saying the current system is fair but I can imagine the majority of those are in the 'I'm all right' cohort. Take a look below at Ipswich post for their away game at Coventry City. Seems a very fair approach with providing some people a chance of going and keeps the away support fresh.

The ballot for the game with Coventry will open from midday on Friday, 24 October, before closing for entries at 5pm on Monday, 27 October.

Following feedback, the Club will also be introducing a ballot for ticket sales once a fixture has sold out (a percentage will always be held back for the ballot) during a membership priority window. For example, should an away fixture sell out during the 15+ APP points window, members who fall in this and the next priority window and below (ie 5+ through to 19 APP) will be eligible to enter a ballot for the chance to purchase a ticket for the selected away fixture. The number of tickets in the ballot will be determined by the away ticket allocation that the Club receives for the selected away fixture.

EXAMPLE SALES WINDOWS FOR AWAY LEAGUE GAMES IN 2024/25

Monday, 10am – Members with 30+ points.

Tuesday, 10am – Members with 25+ points.

Wednesday, 10am – Members with 20+ points.

Thursday, 10am – Members with 15+ points.

Friday, 10am – Members with 10+ points.

Monday, 10am – Members with 5+ points.

Tuesday, 10am – Season ticket holders.

Correction: The majority of those are in the "I've put in the miles" cohort.

CovRes · 2025-10-23T18:15:47+0100

torchomatic said:
Wouldn't be happy with a ballot. I put in a lot of miles and have a healthy points total. Why should I potentially miss out in a lottery to someone who could have many hundreds of points less?

As others have said, games this season he gone to a general sale. There were loads of empty seats around me at Wednesday. Same last season.

Would strongly object to this.

Re the empty seats at Wednesday. The allocation sold out, but it looks like they aren't allowed to sell all the seats that are physically there.

Someone on here said the allocation was about 200 down on last season.

There may also have been some no shows.

Marty · 2025-10-23T18:24:23+0100

CovRes said:
Re the empty seats at Wednesday. The allocation sold out, but it looks like they aren't allowed to sell all the seats that are physically there.

Someone on here said the allocation was about 200 down on last season.

There may also have been some no shows.

It was on general sale for 8 days iirc before it sold out. Plenty of opportunities to get away tickets this season

Para1140 · 2025-10-23T18:51:49+0100

play_in_skyblue_stripes said:
There has been a long running conversation about it being a increasingly closed shop for away tickets.

I do hope Coventry City consider this. It is virtually impossible to get tickets now. You can only increase your points at Coventry by going to away games and when you cant get tickets you become even further behind and even less opportunity. Lots of people post saying the current system is fair but I can imagine the majority of those are in the 'I'm all right' cohort. Take a look below at Ipswich post for their away game at Coventry City. Seems a very fair approach with providing some people a chance of going and keeps the away support fresh.

The ballot for the game with Coventry will open from midday on Friday, 24 October, before closing for entries at 5pm on Monday, 27 October.

Following feedback, the Club will also be introducing a ballot for ticket sales once a fixture has sold out (a percentage will always be held back for the ballot) during a membership priority window. For example, should an away fixture sell out during the 15+ APP points window, members who fall in this and the next priority window and below (ie 5+ through to 19 APP) will be eligible to enter a ballot for the chance to purchase a ticket for the selected away fixture. The number of tickets in the ballot will be determined by the away ticket allocation that the Club receives for the selected away fixture.

EXAMPLE SALES WINDOWS FOR AWAY LEAGUE GAMES IN 2024/25

Monday, 10am – Members with 30+ points.

Tuesday, 10am – Members with 25+ points.

Wednesday, 10am – Members with 20+ points.

Thursday, 10am – Members with 15+ points.

Friday, 10am – Members with 10+ points.

Monday, 10am – Members with 5+ points.

Tuesday, 10am – Season ticket holders.

Closed shop so Millwall away, Shef W away, Portsmouth away that all reached st or general sale were closed shops?
same old story from the bitter and twisted who have jumped on the wagon now that we are doing well moaning because they couldn't get a ticket for Leicester or Wrexham away as they are the self entitled lot who think they should as opposed to those that have spent money and time following city

HJones23 · 2025-10-23T19:01:33+0100

Seen some shite posted on this forum before but this takes the biscuit. Previous 3 away games made general sale yet it’s virtually impossible to get tickets ?

Tommo1993 · 2025-10-23T19:10:47+0100

There are things I disagree with across all the tickets topic, from categories to points, to price, to supporter club cunts.

I’d never agree to a ballot though.

Kilclines curly mullet · 2025-10-23T19:36:16+0100

Absolutely no way.

I was in the pissing rain at Forrest Green, Newport, Yeovil….

All of the places that our new generation of fans have never heard of.

Call me a super fan, I don’t care but I’m not having a fair weather supporter getting a ticket to say Wrexham away and me potentially missing out.

As already stated, the away tickets are not a closed shop. Plenty of general sale games available - Millwall, Preston, Sheffield W, Boro etc.

Yes some may be on weeknights but that’s just putting in the effort, like the loyal ones over the years have done.

Christ, even Wrexham went to 1700 points.

Weird how we only tend to see these arguments when we play a big team / a local derby or we are suddenly doing well. Amazing that.

covmark · 2025-10-23T19:39:08+0100

I'd love to get to my local away games at Pompey and Southampton. Unfortunately due to work and the distance I live from Cov, it's impossible for me to build up the points to get to these games. In my eyes it's something I have to suck up. There is not a fairer way of doing it imo, and there are other away games that have gone to general sale.

CovRes · 2025-10-23T19:42:37+0100

Marty said:
It was on general sale for 8 days iirc before it sold out. Plenty of opportunities to get away tickets this season

The comment about empty seats made it sound like it hadn't sold out, though.

Potbellypig · 2025-10-23T20:17:46+0100

play_in_skyblue_stripes said:
There has been a long running conversation about it being a increasingly closed shop for away tickets.

I do hope Coventry City consider this. It is virtually impossible to get tickets now. You can only increase your points at Coventry by going to away games and when you cant get tickets you become even further behind and even less opportunity. Lots of people post saying the current system is fair but I can imagine the majority of those are in the 'I'm all right' cohort. Take a look below at Ipswich post for their away game at Coventry City. Seems a very fair approach with providing some people a chance of going and keeps the away support fresh.

The ballot for the game with Coventry will open from midday on Friday, 24 October, before closing for entries at 5pm on Monday, 27 October.

Following feedback, the Club will also be introducing a ballot for ticket sales once a fixture has sold out (a percentage will always be held back for the ballot) during a membership priority window. For example, should an away fixture sell out during the 15+ APP points window, members who fall in this and the next priority window and below (ie 5+ through to 19 APP) will be eligible to enter a ballot for the chance to purchase a ticket for the selected away fixture. The number of tickets in the ballot will be determined by the away ticket allocation that the Club receives for the selected away fixture.

EXAMPLE SALES WINDOWS FOR AWAY LEAGUE GAMES IN 2024/25

Monday, 10am – Members with 30+ points.

Tuesday, 10am – Members with 25+ points.

Wednesday, 10am – Members with 20+ points.

Thursday, 10am – Members with 15+ points.

Friday, 10am – Members with 10+ points.

Monday, 10am – Members with 5+ points.

Tuesday, 10am – Season ticket holders.

I actually agree that a ballot is something I could get behind. I'm on 1700+ bracket, so this doesn't come from someone who doesn't get the opportunity.

What I can't get behind is your reasoning. It's the same from the likes of you who claim it's unfair as you can't build your points up to get tickets, when it's factually clear you can. It just takes years and shit loads of money, something all those people in front of you have done. If people like you just came out and said it would be great to include a ballot for the fans that just can't get to every away game to build their points up. I'd get behind a small 5% or something. It's the same bollocks that you lot come out with that puts people on the other foot though.

Viktor17 · 2025-10-23T20:25:54+0100

play_in_skyblue_stripes said:
There has been a long running conversation about it being a increasingly closed shop for away tickets.

I do hope Coventry City consider this. It is virtually impossible to get tickets now. You can only increase your points at Coventry by going to away games and when you cant get tickets you become even further behind and even less opportunity. Lots of people post saying the current system is fair but I can imagine the majority of those are in the 'I'm all right' cohort. Take a look below at Ipswich post for their away game at Coventry City. Seems a very fair approach with providing some people a chance of going and keeps the away support fresh.

The ballot for the game with Coventry will open from midday on Friday, 24 October, before closing for entries at 5pm on Monday, 27 October.

Following feedback, the Club will also be introducing a ballot for ticket sales once a fixture has sold out (a percentage will always be held back for the ballot) during a membership priority window. For example, should an away fixture sell out during the 15+ APP points window, members who fall in this and the next priority window and below (ie 5+ through to 19 APP) will be eligible to enter a ballot for the chance to purchase a ticket for the selected away fixture. The number of tickets in the ballot will be determined by the away ticket allocation that the Club receives for the selected away fixture.

EXAMPLE SALES WINDOWS FOR AWAY LEAGUE GAMES IN 2024/25

Monday, 10am – Members with 30+ points.

Tuesday, 10am – Members with 25+ points.

Wednesday, 10am – Members with 20+ points.

Thursday, 10am – Members with 15+ points.

Friday, 10am – Members with 10+ points.

Monday, 10am – Members with 5+ points.

Tuesday, 10am – Season ticket holders.

Your talking rubbish. Talking bull shit in fact.

People only claim it’s “floored” when it doesn’t suit them and they can’t get a ticket to a high profile game. So tedious.

see you at Boro and Preston away

ccfc1234 · 2025-10-23T20:26:06+0100

I'm torn on the whole away tickets debate, on one hand, I absolutely think those fans who've followed the team up and down the country deserve to have their loyalty rewarded by getting access to every away match of the season. You can't argue with that – they've put in the miles, the money, and the commitment.

But here's where I'm conflicted: there are younger fans who, because of school commitments midweek, simply can't get to Middlesbrough or Millwall away on a Tuesday night. They're therefore are struggling to build any meaningful points total, and it feels like they're being locked out of the system before they've even had a proper chance.

Yeah, Sheffield Wednesday away was a chance for them to pick up points, and I'm sure a couple of other Saturday games will drop to general sale throughout the season. But realistically, that still leaves them absolutely miles behind those who currently have decent points totals and due to their easier access to tickets the gap keeps stretching at a significant ratio.

I'm not entirely sure what the answer is, but I've been thinking about it and reckon some kind of bonus points system might work?

What if loyalty points were converted into bonus points at the start of the season? So for example (using simple numbers to illustrate):

2,000 loyalty points = 200 bonus points
Each away match you attend deducts about 30-50 of your bonus points from your account entirely separate to your total points which you will still be collecting as normal.

Using that principle, it should allow the most loyal away fans with the highest points to still get to about 75% of away games and they could choose to step away from the 25% of games they're not fussed about attending.
This would then naturally free up tickets for others.

The scheme:

Rewards loyalty – the hardcore regulars still get priority for the vast majority of games
Creates natural rotation – forces people to be selective rather than hoarding tickets (not sure if this is just an urban myth but it would address it)
Opens opportunities – gives younger fans etc. a realistic chance

I know there's loads of holes you could pick in this, and definitely keen to hear other suggestions Or maybe should we just leave it as it is!!!!!!

lord_garrincha · 2025-10-23T20:29:07+0100

I asked AI to create a fair, weighted, distribution system for all fans.

It gave a surprisingly insightful response.

It told me to fuck off.

CovInEssex · 2025-10-23T20:42:33+0100

The only thing i will agree with is that our away support is suffering due to a lack of day-trippers.

Londonccfcfan · 2025-10-23T20:55:00+0100

ccfctommy said:
Millwall went to generally sale. Sheffield Wednesday on a Saturday went to general sale. Portsmouth went to general sale.

You're talking shit.

In likelihood Stoke city has or will go to general sale too.

So that's 4 out of 7 away games.

Sky Blue 1987 · 2025-10-23T21:02:47+0100

Londonccfcfan said:
In likelihood Stoke city has or will go to general sale too.

So that's 4 out of 7 away games.

It sold out at 1000 points

Tommo1993 · 2025-10-23T21:03:11+0100

Londonccfcfan said:
In likelihood Stoke city has or will go to general sale too.

So that's 4 out of 7 away games.

Stoke game sold out at the 900+ priority.

Flying Fokker · 2025-10-23T21:03:48+0100

Current points.1100 Pts and 1080 pts for us 2. Now picked up a few this season. It’s a bit rich saying it’s not fair.

1100/1080 pts

Derby 3135 Not enough
Millwall 3024 Chose not to go. Gen Sale
Oxford 1491 Not enough
Leicester 3287 Not enough
Sheffield 3769 Gen Sale
Pompey 2188 Gen Sale
Wrexham. 1293 Not enough
Stoke 3394 Not enough

Middlesborough

Sky Blue 1987 · 2025-10-23T21:04:57+0100

Tommo1993 said:
Stoke game sold out at the 900+ priority.

Was definitely 1000 as i am on 990 and just missed out

Tommo1993 · 2025-10-23T21:05:14+0100

Boro, PNE and probably Charlton will get to general.

Tommo1993 · 2025-10-23T21:06:47+0100

Sky Blue 1987 said:
Was definitely 1000 as i am on 990 and just missed out

Meh. I went by the time they posted it on X, which was 14:25 on 21st. 900+ started at 14:00.

Flying Fokker · 2025-10-23T21:08:03+0100

Tommo1993 said:
Stoke game sold out at the 900+ priority.

Not sure about that. I was bang on the release time for 1000 pts and they’d sold out. Maybe the family zone had some?

Sky Blue 1987 · 2025-10-23T21:09:37+0100

Tommo1993 said:
Meh. I went by the time they posted it on X, which was 14:25 on 21st. 900+ started at 14:00.

Yeh they were a bit late announcing it i think, I was refreshing the eticketing page and when it went past 2pm it stayed at 1000 points so must have already sold out before 2

Tommo1993 · 2025-10-23T21:09:43+0100

Flying Fokker said:
Not sure about that. I was bang on the release time for 1000 pts and they’d sold out. Maybe the family zone had some?

Tommo1993 said:
Meh. I went by the time they posted it on X, which was 14:25 on 21st. 900+ started at 14:00.

Tommo1993 · 2025-10-23T21:12:20+0100

Sky Blue 1987 said:
Yeh they were a bit late announcing it i think, I was refreshing the eticketing page and when it went past 2pm it stayed at 1000 points so must have already sold out before 2

Out of interest, did you try the window before yours, like 30 mins before yours? For most games there’s a massive loophole. Mine wasn’t until 12:00 on Monday. Yet I had mine by 11:28 I only logged on to make sure it was ready, but it let me straight through.

Sky Blue 1987 · 2025-10-23T21:13:50+0100

Tommo1993 said:
Out of interest, did you try the window before yours, like 30 mins before yours? For most games there’s a massive loophole. Mine wasn’t until 12:00 on Monday. Yet I had mine by 11:28 I only logged on to make sure it was ready, but it let me straight through.

I think you posted about it actually on the stoke tickets thread, I saw it and tried it but didn't work, said I do not have access yet

Mucca Mad Boys · 2025-10-23T21:28:25+0100

torchomatic said:
Wouldn't be happy with a ballot. I put in a lot of miles and have a healthy points total. Why should I potentially miss out in a lottery to someone who could have many hundreds of points less?

As others have said, games this season he gone to a general sale. There were loads of empty seats around me at Wednesday. Same last season.

Would strongly object to this.

It’s a solution to a non-existent problem.

It’s a ‘closed shop’ for a handful of games where away allocations are sub-2k.

I’ve barely missed an away game since Feb 2024 and built my points to 1500+. There’s only been about 7-8 games I weren’t able to get tickets for over that period. Off the top of my head; Birmingham, Plymouth (23/24), Watford, Oxford x 2, Wrexham and Luton. There’s been a few lonely trips to build those points, the lads in my group chat genuinely questioned if ‘everything was ok’ when I went to Blackburn away last season!

My points tally is held back by not having a ST in 22/23 and amount about 50 points for that season. Next season I should be a in the top points band from Day 1.

Mucca Mad Boys · 2025-10-23T21:35:14+0100

WestEndAgro said:
You can't penalise people who have done the hard yards, it's always the same faces, because they deserve it.
I'm certain you will be able to get a ticket for Middlesbrough on a Tuesday night though.

Funny how no one calls for a ballot for the shit midweek journeys and we’ve been unlucky with the draw this years Millwall, Portsmouth, Wrexham*, Boro and PNE on midweek are really unideal destinations.

*Friday night, but the transport links are so bad you have to drive, get the coach or stop off somewhere nearby like Chester/Liverpool.

SBT · 2025-10-23T21:39:15+0100

When demand outstrips supply you will always end up leaving people disappointed, so it’s just a question of deciding who you want to annoy and who you want to keep engaged for future sales.

I personally think that freshening up the crowds for big/attractive games would benefit the atmosphere long term and keep more new fans engaged. It also delays the inevitable day when it becomes impossible for a newbie to get seniority because tickets are concentrated in the hands of a few long-term fans.

But it will probably never happen because most die-hards will quite reasonably be unwilling to let someone else have a go at their expense, and they’re the people who will make the most noise to complain.

Away tickets - Ipswich policy to avoid a closed shop on getting a ticket (3 Viewers)

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