Away tickets - Ipswich policy to avoid a closed shop on getting a ticket (2 Viewers)

[Super Graham Withey]

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.
  

Where were you when we we’re sh*t?

 

---

[edgy]

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

Same. Bastard 1000+ wankers.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

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, 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.

Well intentioned, but a ballot system probably does the opposite and entrench the ‘top cappers’.

I’ll use the ETSC as an example:

The split is 70:30 so the top 70% of cappers are guaranteed a ticket. The 30% of ballots are scaled for fairness.

Using Stoke as an example, if you put 30% of a big allocation to a ballot, that’s 900-950 tickets that anyone can win. Which squeezes the top 70% further and creates a mad rush to be in and maintain that level. Practically, it means people are more likely to buy tickets to sell on.

Right now, if you get to 1700+ you can relax and be more selective in what games you go to which probably frees up the allocation. For example, my mates on 1800+ passed on Millwall, Pompey (a) and will probably give Boro and PNE a miss. A ballot system squeezes that and game-ifies the points system more than the current system.

The ETSC and bigger clubs have ballot systems because every game is oversubscribed. We don’t have that problem yet. Unfashionable and inconvenient games will go to non-STHs. Therefore, a ballot system is not worth the admin.

 

[play_in_skyblue_stripes]

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

You're talking shit.

Not a nice way to talk to someone who makes what I think is very good suggestion based on what club of Ipswich do and from someone who has followed club for more than 50 years. It is virtually impossible to get away tickets apart from games that are too inconvenient tickets for most West midlands based fans . I did go to Sheffield Wednesday which was great day out. Portsmouth is quite a long way midweek from Manchester!

 

[play_in_skyblue_stripes]

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

I'm no fair weather fan I can assure you.

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Not a nice way to talk to someone who makes what I think is very good suggestion based on what club of Ipswich do and from someone who has followed club for more than 50 years. It is virtually impossible to get away tickets apart from games that are too inconvenient tickets for most West midlands based fans . I did go to Sheffield Wednesday which was great day out. Portsmouth is quite a long way midweek from Manchester!

It’s not impossible. Last season, most of the games went to general sale let alone to the 100-500 games (I.e. newer STHs).

Did you have any trouble getting tickets to Wigan, Burnley, PNE and Blackburn? Over the last 3 years, just those games alone are close to 150 points alone.

 

[play_in_skyblue_stripes]

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

I wonder how many people going to Wrexham this year went there the last time back in something like 92 in league cup? I did and have booked my travel to Wrexham and hope I strike lucky getting ticket somehow.
I vowed never to go to Leicester again, and kept to that, after 1987 game which was the culmination of several horrible experiences at that ground since my first visit in 1976. Hardly jumped on the band wagon!!!

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

I wonder how many people going to Wrexham this went there the last time back in something like 92 in league cup? I vowed never to go to Leicester again after 1987 game which was the culmination of several horrible experiences at that ground since my first visit in 1976. Hardly jumped on the band wagon!!!

What’s your attendance been like over the last 3-5 years though?

 

[play_in_skyblue_stripes]

It’s not impossible. Last season, most of the games went to general sale let alone to the 100-500 games (I.e. newer STHs).

Did you have any trouble getting tickets to Wigan, Burnley, PNE and Blackburn? Over the last 3 years, just those games alone are close to 150 points alone.

I went to everyone all of those games since return to championship apart from 2-0 win away at Blackburn last season and followed City home and away throughout 70',80's, 90's. I was even outside the ground at Preston for the covid season at Preston that we lost 2-0. Haven't had a season ticket because its not practical living 100 miles away and its very tiring and costly to go. I bought one this year although wont get extensive use of it. I did that because hopefully this will be our year to get promoted and have chance to get to home games if we do.

I expect Blackburn will be a huge allocation. Shame for Coventry fans Preston is a midweek game in December otherwise chance for 6k to attend.

This season with the way its going and bumper season tickets sales over last 2/3 seasons, its virtually impossible to get away tickets on a Saturday match. Not everyone has the time, money and energy.
I have dare I say imagination in getting much better priced train tickets and have a railcard. Just looked up standard Manchester to Coventry off peak return and its 63.30. Times that by 23 and that's 1499 GBP a year and you cant in practicality get back after a night game. game, match and involves staying in a hotel. Add in various other costs and can you see getting a season ticket from 100 miles away doesn't make economic sense or impact on your health. Well done to all of those people who go week in and week out but not everyone is in a practical position to do so.

However for those that do I wonder how many live close to Coventry Area, live further away and afford to get a season ticket and only go to a subset of games or have easier/cheaper ways of going.

All I am suggesting considering what another club has done in helping people who cant afford or who are not able to get very high priority points for other very understandable reasons to get to away games that are at a weekend and to experience and enjoy watching City away and visiting somewhere else.

 

[Evo1883]

You can only have a ballot if every away game sells out before general sale .. this doesnt happen .

Fuck johnny 1 match getting a ticket before actual loyal fans

 

[play_in_skyblue_stripes]

What’s your attendance been like over the last 3-5 years though?

Average about 18-20 games evenly spread between home and away. Going to Coventry has the costs of an away game if you live 100 miles away. Some tickets I've obtained through friends with high priority points gained by living close to Coventry. Eternally grateful to a friend who got me Middlesborough play off ticket and Wolves Fa cup ticket.
In our years in top flight season ticket holder with living in Coventry and averaged 10 away games so well over 30 plus games a season since 1975. Before that mostly 3 or 4 or so games a season at home with the odd away game.

Amazingly someone suggested I was a Fairweather fan.

 

[Evo1883]

Average about 18-20 games evenly spread between home and away. Some tickets I've obtained through friends with high priority points gained by living close to Coventry. In our years in top flight season ticket holder and lived in Coventry and averaged 10 away games so wll over 30 plus games a season since 1975. Before that mostly 5 or so games a season at home with the odd away game.

Amazingly someone suggested I was a Fairweather fan.

Are you annoyed you cant attend more ? What points are you on

 

[Mucca Mad Boys]

Average about 18-20 games evenly spread between home and away. Some tickets I've obtained through friends with high priority points gained by living close to Coventry. In our years in top flight season ticket holder and lived in Coventry and averaged 10 away games so wll over 30 plus games a season since 1975. Before that mostly 5 or so games a season at home with the odd away game.

Amazingly someone suggested I was a Fairweather fan.

I went to everyone all of those games in recent years in championship apart from 2-0 win away at Blackburn and followed City home and away throughout 70',80's, 90's. I was even outside the ground at Preston for the covid season at Preston that we lost 2-0. Haven't had a season ticket because its not practical living 100 miles away and its very tiring and costly to go. I bought one this year although wont get extensive use of it. I did that because hopefully this will be our year to get promoted and have chance to get to home games if we do.

This season with the way its going and bumper season tickets sales over last 2/3, its virtually impossible to get away tickets on a Saturday match. Not everyone has the time, money and energy.
I expect Blackburn will be a huge allocation. Shame for Coventry fans Preston is a midweek game in December otherwise chance for 6k to attend.

Presumably, you're not a STH then? No judgement there because having live nearly 2 hours away for a season and a half, I can empathise with the long travelling, particularly for more senior fans.

Equally, you can't expect people to take this proposal seriously when there are people who do the travelling and go to the inconvenient games.

In no world should a non-STH get priority over a STH and particularly STHs who get to the point tallies that they do. Anyone on 1700+ has put the hard yards in.

 

[Flying Fokker]

Are you annoyed you cant attend more ? What points are you on

I believe one of the problems is that a lot of people want to back the team home or away.

Great. I dare say it was last like this in the Hill era?

 

[Marty]

Average about 18-20 games evenly spread between home and away. Going to Coventry has the costs of an away game if you live 100 miles away. Some tickets I've obtained through friends with high priority points gained by living close to Coventry. Eternally grateful to a friend who got me Middlesborough play off ticket and Wolves Fa cup ticket.
In our years in top flight season ticket holder with living in Coventry and averaged 10 away games so well over 30 plus games a season since 1975. Before that mostly 3 or 4 or so games a season at home with the odd away game.

Amazingly someone suggested I was a Fairweather fan.

Sounds like your 'friend' needs banning, buying tickets for others and flogging them on all for the points. tut tut tut.

 

[play_in_skyblue_stripes]

Are you annoyed you cant attend more ? What points are you on

Yes I am somewhat annoyed and believe everyone should have a chance . I am just suggesting what another club does with the same ticket availability issue. I'm on 900. I really don't like to ever bring up Man Utd but their home games have always had a number of home tickets set aside for a ballot to give fans a chance to go even if those chances are are about as likely as getting a ticket to be at Strictly!

I am done on this topic now.

 

[SAJ]

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:

1. Rewards loyalty – the hardcore regulars still get priority for the vast majority of games
2. 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)
3. 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!!!!!!

Why when I attend all matches would I suddenly decide to only attend 75% of them. In the last 15 years I’ve possibly not attended 10-12 matches home and away.
Not a popular decision for many but I also included going to all Northampton and Birmingham games in that.
I can understand the frustration of those who now want to attend but I remember going to Morecombe with about 500 other fans in the snow both ways freezing my bollocks off to what the shitist performance so I’m sorry I do feel I should be rewarded now by being able to attend every match.

 

[SAJ]

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.
  

Why this pisses me off,
Points are awarded over a 4 year period so as a season ticket holder for the last 4 years or somebody who attended every home match they get 920 points. In 22/23 we averaged about 16,000 home fans. In 23/24 it went up to circa 22,000 fans 24/26 to circa 24500 fans. If you just attended home cup matches on top of that there were 280 points on offer so 1200 points and not having to attend a single away match since 2022.
Since 2022 at least half of away matches have not sold out but assuming you could only go to 30 away Saturday matches since 2022 you would now have 1500 points.
It is therefore far off being a closed shop for the majority of fans who have been attending for several years.
To me the fans that are now complaining about the unfairness of the points system have generally started to attend loads of matches in the very recent past and feel because of that they should get a better deal. Having demonstrated how it isn’t too difficult to get to 1500 points I have very little sympathy. Wrexham got to 1700 Stoke to 1000 in reality very few matches are limited to the 1700 and above fans. You have to just put in the miles to get there.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Yes I am somewhat annoyed and believe everyone should have a chance . I am just suggesting what another club does with the same ticket availability issue. I'm on 900. I really don't like to ever bring up Man Utd but their home games have always had a number of home tickets set aside for a ballot to give fans a chance to go even if those chances are are about as likely as getting a ticket to be at Strictly!

I am done on this topic now.

Man U sell out every game though.If we had every single away match selling out at high points brackets I'd say "fine, let's ballot a small amount of tickets." But we don't. Around half go to general sale, so the opportunities are there.

I get that you live far away and it's more difficult for you but that's the choice you make. Personally I don't have many points because although I follow the club almost obsessively in terms of keeping up to date (for example there were people who go to pretty much every game home and away asking "Who's Shepherd?" when I knew full well who they were) I don't attend a huge number of games. Partly because I work Saturdays but also because I was brought up with going to the occasional match as a treat, and that's how i enjoy it. When I had a season ticket I actually found it more of a chore in the end, especially during the winter. Sure our current form would make that more tolerable but I still prefer the almost childlike excitement of going to the match a handful of times a season. I know that makes me less likely to get tickets to more glamourous fixtures and it's something I'm willing to accept.

 

[Sky_Blue_Dreamer]

Not a nice way to talk to someone who makes what I think is very good suggestion based on what club of Ipswich do and from someone who has followed club for more than 50 years. It is virtually impossible to get away tickets apart from games that are too inconvenient tickets for most West midlands based fans . I did go to Sheffield Wednesday which was great day out. Portsmouth is quite a long way midweek from Manchester!

And the reason those fans get first dibs is because they do those 'inconvenient' matches. That's their reward for doing the less glamourous, onerous matches - they get to see the more appealing ones.

 

[wingy]

Sounds like your 'friend' needs banning, buying tickets for others and flogging them on all for the points. tut tut tut.

I think we should go the whole hog and name and shame, I've got no skin in the game let me say! 🫣

 

[Kilclines curly mullet]

I went to everyone all of those games since return to championship apart from 2-0 win away at Blackburn last season and followed City home and away throughout 70',80's, 90's. I was even outside the ground at Preston for the covid season at Preston that we lost 2-0. Haven't had a season ticket because its not practical living 100 miles away and its very tiring and costly to go. I bought one this year although wont get extensive use of it. I did that because hopefully this will be our year to get promoted and have chance to get to home games if we do.

I expect Blackburn will be a huge allocation. Shame for Coventry fans Preston is a midweek game in December otherwise chance for 6k to attend.

This season with the way its going and bumper season tickets sales over last 2/3 seasons, its virtually impossible to get away tickets on a Saturday match. Not everyone has the time, money and energy.
I have dare I say imagination in getting much better priced train tickets and have a railcard. Just looked up standard Manchester to Coventry off peak return and its 63.30. Times that by 23 and that's 1499 GBP a year and you cant in practicality get back after a night game. game, match and involves staying in a hotel. Add in various other costs and can you see getting a season ticket from 100 miles away doesn't make economic sense or impact on your health. Well done to all of those people who go week in and week out but not everyone is in a practical position to do so.

However for those that do I wonder how many live close to Coventry Area, live further away and afford to get a season ticket and only go to a subset of games or have easier/cheaper ways of going.

All I am suggesting considering what another club has done in helping people who cant afford or who are not able to get very high priority points for other very understandable reasons to get to away games that are at a weekend and to experience and enjoy watching City away and visiting somewhere else.

I have a season ticket and live 120 miles away.
I go to 90% of away games
i make sacrifices in other ways in order to do so.
Appreciate that everyone’s circumstances are different but if you want the tickets to the more attractive fixtures, put the miles in.
Otherwise, general sale games are regularly available.

 

[clint van damme]

It is virtually impossible to get tickets now.

Probably the stupidest single sentence ever posted on this forum.

 

[Ccfcsj]

Stoke game sold out at the 900+ priority.

Are you sure? I tried to get tickets when the 1100 point category came up only to be told only the Family Zone was available and couldn't buy there

I agree with the current points system as the people who go to every away game should have the rights to go. I've been to a few but can't make all of them due to other commitments and do feel it would be unfair on the people who go to all games to miss out just so I could get the occasional ticket - even though it annoys me at the time

 

[Hutch11]

Like what Norwich do
Members can pick 1 game and on a 1st come 1st served basis can guarantee a ticket to an away game of their choice

Membership match pick benefit now available for selection

The match pick window for home and away games is now open for fans who purchased a 2022/23 membership on or before Friday, June 17.

www.canaries.co.uk

 

[rob9872]

Basically 2 pages because Mr Entitled didn't manage to source a Wrexham ticket.

We have 3 of us in our family who travel around and go to most games. Work commitments can be a struggle and often only 2 of us for midweek games. That meant on the Wrexham allocation we tried for the third at 1620 points but were unsuccessful, so there are only 2 of us going. We'd have loved a 3rd, but accept that the points are what they are and we missed out fairly. Had we missed out because someone less deserving had got them I'd be much more pissed off.

 

[rob9872]

Like what Norwich do
Members can pick 1 game and on a 1st come 1st served basis can guarantee a ticket to an away game of their choice

Membership match pick benefit now available for selection

The match pick window for home and away games is now open for fans who purchased a 2022/23 membership on or before Friday, June 17.

www.canaries.co.uk

About 10k would choose Wrexham though as it's a 'new' ground to visit for many.

 

[Hutch11]

About 10k would choose Wrexham though as it's a 'new' ground to visit for many.

There's a limited amount and its 1st come 1st served

 

[David O'Day]

I went to everyone all of those games since return to championship apart from 2-0 win away at Blackburn last season and followed City home and away throughout 70',80's, 90's. I was even outside the ground at Preston for the covid season at Preston that we lost 2-0. Haven't had a season ticket because its not practical living 100 miles away and its very tiring and costly to go. I bought one this year although wont get extensive use of it. I did that because hopefully this will be our year to get promoted and have chance to get to home games if we do.

I expect Blackburn will be a huge allocation. Shame for Coventry fans Preston is a midweek game in December otherwise chance for 6k to attend.

This season with the way its going and bumper season tickets sales over last 2/3 seasons, its virtually impossible to get away tickets on a Saturday match. Not everyone has the time, money and energy.
I have dare I say imagination in getting much better priced train tickets and have a railcard. Just looked up standard Manchester to Coventry off peak return and its 63.30. Times that by 23 and that's 1499 GBP a year and you cant in practicality get back after a night game. game, match and involves staying in a hotel. Add in various other costs and can you see getting a season ticket from 100 miles away doesn't make economic sense or impact on your health. Well done to all of those people who go week in and week out but not everyone is in a practical position to do so.

However for those that do I wonder how many live close to Coventry Area, live further away and afford to get a season ticket and only go to a subset of games or have easier/cheaper ways of going.

All I am suggesting considering what another club has done in helping people who cant afford or who are not able to get very high priority points for other very understandable reasons to get to away games that are at a weekend and to experience and enjoy watching City away and visiting somewhere else.

why should you get a ticket when some who spends that a year may not?

 

[David O'Day]

but maybe we do need some new blood as the away ends these days do have a whiff of real ale fart

 

[rob9872]

There's a limited amount and its 1st come 1st served

I get that, but again if lots choose the small allocation at Wrexham, then many of those who do travel would miss out because of them. There is no fair way that will suit everyone unfortunately, but ours is about as fair as it can be imo.

 

[Hutch11]

I get that, but again if lots choose the small allocation at Wrexham, then many of those who do travel would miss out because of them. There is no fair way that will suit everyone unfortunately, but ours is about as fair as it can be imo.

I totally agree , the current system whilst not flawless is the best way to do it

 

[clint van damme]

Same people moaning are the same ones who couldn't be arsed to buy a Millwall Caraboa ticket with no intention of going like the rest of us, it makes my blood boil.

 

[Tealeaf]

" where was you when we were shit "

 

[rob9872]

" where was you when we were shit "

I suppose you steal yours? Bang out of order.