Premier League clubs including Liverpool and Man Utd amend season ticket plans
- Published
The Premier League football season should be nearing its end and fans are normally digging into their pockets to fund next year's season ticket.
Next season will, after all, be the one when your team plays free-flowing football and wins a quadruple.
Whether or not that ends up being the reality, it seems some fans will have to wait a little longer to secure their seat as Premier League clubs have started amending payment deadlines and renewal windows for 2020-21 season tickets.
With the current Premier League season suspended indefinitely amid the coronavirus pandemic, the start date for next season's campaign is unclear. Here is the latest on how clubs are handling season tickets.
Bournemouth
Bournemouth fans who paid for their 2019-20 season ticket using V12 Finance have been offered a payment holiday.
As is the case with several Premier League clubs, Bournemouth are waiting to hear how the 2019-20 season will be concluded before considering refunds or credits for the home games that have not so far taken place.
All season ticket renewals for 2020-21 are currently on hold.
Brighton
Brighton have offered season ticket holders the chance to delay payments due over the next three months.
The club's deputy chairman and chief executive Paul Barber told The Argus:, external "About 5-6% have taken advantage of that, which is a relatively small number and we are very grateful for that. The vast majority have maintained their payments, which helps from a cashflow point of view.
"Equally, we are sad for people that have had to take a payment holiday because their own employment situation has changed and their financial circumstances."
Everton
Everton have extended their deadline for renewals of season tickets and hospitality memberships to 28 May. The previous deadlines were 2 April for season tickets and 17 April for hospitality memberships.
The club's chief executive Denise Barratt-Baxendale also wrote to fans, saying: "I assure you that if games do not go ahead or matches are played behind closed doors the club will do the right thing in terms of refunds."
Liverpool
Liverpool, who are 25 points clear at the top of the table, have suspended the season ticket renewal process, external for next season "until there is clarity around the fixture schedule".
The club say season ticket prices will be frozen for the new campaign and that a new renewal period will be opened when the 2020-21 season start date is known.
The club also said that if home fixtures in the 2019-20 campaign cannot be played in front of supporters, refunds will be issued to season ticket holders, or a pro-rata credit will be applied to their season ticket for the 2020-21 campaign.
Manchester United
Manchester United have frozen season-ticket prices and, while fans can renew now, the 1 May deadline that was initially in place has been suspended., external
"This will be continuously reviewed and a new deadline will be put in place once there is confirmation of the start date of the 20-21 season," the club said.
If this season's remaining fixtures at Old Trafford are played behind closed doors, season-ticket holders will get a pro-rata rebate against season tickets for next year, or a pro-rata cash refund based on the number of games still to be played.
Newcastle United
Newcastle have faced criticism after a number of fans were charged for season tickets for the 2020-21 campaign despite there being no start date for the season in place.
Some fans said they were charged £620 on Wednesday, describing the situation as "incredibly disturbing".
The club have so far declined to comment.
Sheffield United
Sheffield United have not put season tickets on sale for next term, and conversations about the current season will begin only once a decision is taken regarding the remaining fixtures.
Southampton
Southampton are waiting on confirmation from the Premier League on how the remainder of the 2019-20 season will be played before sharing any information on potential refunds or credits with fans.
Any fans who used a third-part finance provider to fund their 2019-20 season ticket will need to communicate with the company.
Saints have not announced any details regarding 2020-21 season tickets and as a result have not taken any payments.
Tottenham
Tottenham postponed their season-ticket renewal window, external in March until "greater clarity" was available on when next season might start.
"We shall keep the opening date under review and will update you as and when a decision is taken to start renewals," the club told supporters.