Falling infection rates give Everton confidence to start season ticket renewals
Everton Football Club will commence season ticket renewals for the 2021/22 season later this month as hopes grow that fans will be allowed back into stadia in numbers following the successful roll-out of the coronavirus vaccine.
For the first time fans will have the option to have their season tickets issued digitally for 2021/22, allowing supporters to access the stadium using their smart mobile phone, with the aim of reducing the club’s carbon footprint by using less unnecessary plastic on season cards.
Everton announced in December 2020 that the renewal period, which typically runs from January to April, had been postponed for 2021/22 renewals due to uncertainty as to when supporters would be able to again attend matches regularly because of the pandemic.
Following positive updates from the Government on the UK’s roadmap out of lockdown and the proposed relaxation of social distancing rules from June 21, the club has stepped up its preparations to welcome supporters back next season, with the season ticket renewal window opening at 9am on Tuesday , May25.
The window will remain open until 5pm on Tuesday, July 13.
The Club has maintained its 2020/21 season ticket prices in acknowledgement of the season that has been lost to fans, with only three of 19 league games set to have been played in front of a crowd due to COVID restrictions when the season ends later this month.
As in previous years, a direct debit option will be on offer, allowing supporters to spread the cost of their season ticket over seven monthly payments.
Everton’s chief executive, Prof Denise Barrett-Baxendale, said: “Like all Evertonians, I’m counting down the days for the return of fans to Goodison in significant numbers.
“Given the scale of the national vaccination programme and the ongoing fall in infection rates, the anticipated relaxation of social distancing rules on June 21, has given us the level of confidence needed to confirm season ticket renewals for 2021/22.
“I’m thrilled by that. But I will be even more thrilled when I hear that Goodison roar once again as the siren plays – and we all eagerly await the sound of the first beat of Z-Cars to echo around the Grand Old Lady.”
Due to restrictions, only the fixtures against Arsenal and Chelsea in December have been attended by fans so far this season, with capacity restricted to 2,000 for both games. Everton’s final home game of the season, against Wolverhampton Wanderers, has been moved to Wednesday, May 19, to allow for the admission of 6,500 supporters.
Season ticket members have received a refund for each match they have been unable to attend in 2020/21, with the final refund payment to be processed at the end of May.
Should the capacity of Goodison Park be restricted for any Premier League matches in 2021/22 as a result of any COVID-19 measures applying to live events, ballots will again be used to ensure a fair distribution of tickets, while the same refund process will also apply. In the event that capacity restrictions on Goodison Park are imposed, more information on these processes will be communicated at the time.
