Following Monday night's Fans' Forum on the UEFA Europa League, we have published some additional information for fans ahead of the draw on Friday 1 September.
Brighton Home Europa Games
From today we will be selling a three-match package as the guaranteed cheapest way to attend all three Europa home group stage matches. Supporters who buy are committing to all three matches regardless of the opposition, date and time.
The pack will go on sale to STHs and then to members (subject to availability): one ticket each. STHs will have a window to purchase their seats but some STHs will be displaced due to UEFA requirements and repositioned advertising boards. Displaced STHs will get a priority window for the best remaining seats before the pack goes on sale to members.
The 1901 Club three-match pack, members seats are not reserved and are less likely to be able to purchase their own seat, due to UEFA requirements in this area. 1901 Club member will be able to transfer their tickets.
The general admission three-game pack gives supporters a significant discount, compared with buying games individually. Please note, this is why the packs can not be changed, transferred or refunded. We will cap the volume of these packs and we guarantee to keep at least 5000 match tickets available to those unable to commit to all three matches.
On the morning of the draw (1 September) we will remove the match pack from sale (it may be removed earlier if we reach the sales cap), as we await the confirmed opposition and fixtures. Once these are confirmed match tickets will go back on sale to STHs and then to members on a match-by-match basis at match-by-match prices – these will be released as soon as the match details are confirmed. At this stage we will be selling all tickets that are left and not taken by three-match-pack holders.
Loyalty points for home games will be confirmed once we know the dates and opposition.
A number of fans have asked about resale for the three match pack. Please note the package is designed for those who intend to come to three matches, regardless of date, time or opponent.
If you are looking to attend one or two games you should buy individual match tickets. Our intention is to look at trying to setup a ticket exchange but have some technical work to do to achieve this.
The cost of resale on this exchange will likely more than negate the discount from the three-match pack. For example, if the three-match pack costs £75 but the individual match tickets cost a total of £90, then the first resale you make the fee will be at least £15. There would also be additional fees if you sell further tickets, which would make the package more expensive that individual tickets. Note that any ticket exchange would, as usual, only commence once home tickets sell out.
Finally please note that tickets for the three-match pack will be dispatched after we have the dates and times of the games confirmed (after the draw on 1 September).
Brighton Away Europa Games
The club will receive an allocation of 5% of the stadium capacity for match tickets. This for most games will mean an allocation lower than what we receive in the Premier League. It is expected that demand will be very high.
Visitors ticket prices are capped at €45 euros by UEFA and these prices should be the same as the home ticket price for comparable seating areas.
If we can negotiate additional allocations we will be keen to try to do so, but expect this is unlikely and must be careful about making any reciprocal deals which may impact fans supporting us at home.
An additional allocation of 200 category-A tickets are provided to satisfy the requirements of our players and sponsors, so these will not erode the fan allocation.
Tickets will be sold using the loyalty-point system. There will be NO bundled travel packages, all away end tickets will be sold as ticket only, based on loyalty.
Following meetings with the FAB and the FSA we have decided to hold a pre-registration of interest for the first away match once we have the first away match confirmed.
This pre-registration does not commit you to purchasing a ticket, nor does it guarantee you a ticket, but if you want to attend the away game you MUST pre-register.
The pre-registration window will open to STHs and members only, and will be open soon after the draw and for a relatively short period of time.
This allow us to quickly advise fans whether or not they would be guaranteed a ticket and where in the sales windows they would sit.
It also gives supporters some time to go away and research travel and getting annual leave before the games go on sale. We hope this will also help us demonstrate to the opposition club the sort of allocation size we might need.
With the smaller allocation we think it’s likely that European games will sell out to STHs and some to those with the highest loyalty points.
Following discussions with the FAB and FSA we have decided collection in the away city was the best way to ensure those entitled to tickets are the ones who get them, and ensure the club reputation is protected with tickets not falling into the wrong hands - this is quite typical for European matches and regular travellers with England will be used to this. All tickets for Europa away matches will have to be collected with photo ID in the city prior to the match.
We will be looking to open a ticket collection point at a central location in the city on the day of the match, and where we can, the day before matchday. Details will be shared in due course, but every individual must collect with their passport/driving license. There will be no exceptions.
Please consider the need to build in time to collect your ticket and do not book flights or travel that arrives very close to kick off or leave yourself tight on time. Arrive for collections as early as you can.
The collection point will likely close approximately two to three hours before kick off depending on when turnstiles open and the distance to the stadium.
Fans should also note there is quite often a hold back in the stadium for away fans after games in Europe, so again make sure you allow time and don’t expect to leave the stadium immediately to catch a flight.
Please note that away tickets will be strictly no changes, transfers, or refunds. If you find you have bought a ticket and can’t attend, you should return it to the club but you will not be issued with a refund.
This is not intended to be inflexible but that only those who are really travelling buy those match tickets. Also, demand is high so if you do not collect tickets that you order you may face sanctions when buying the next away game.
A few other things to consider for away fixtures
Where possible we will try to give fans the option to pick their seats. However we may find it difficult to get seating maps from our opponents and clubs in Europe often work on the basis of allocation on arrival.
Please expect to take your ID to the stadium on matchday with you, there will be further checks outside the stadium. In Italy for example it’s law to hold ID in public places.
Don’t expect to take bags in to stadiums or phone chargers, quite a few countries and clubs have strict policies which do not allow this.
Expect for facilities and standards to vary considerably. Having visiting fans is not always standard around Europe, so standards are not necessarily at the level you would be used to.
We will be going on city and stadium recces as early as we can to try to give fans a guide on any particular things fans should be aware of and will publish these on our website.
All match and draw dates can be found here.