West Ham United is pleased to provide supporters with some positive and important ticketing updates, ahead of a proposed return to full capacity at London Stadium for the 2021/22 campaign.
This follows the Government’s welcome announcement of the four-step plan to ease England’s lockdown with the aim to remove all legal limits on social contact by 21 June 2021.
Football simply isn’t the same without our loyal and passionate fans and, while it has been an entire year since the Club last played a first team match with the Stadium full of supporters, there is now a bright light at the end of the tunnel, with stadiums set to be full again from the start of next season.
During this period, we have seen the West Ham United family come together to support those in our community most in need as a result of the pandemic.
Hammers fans everywhere have shown what makes them special during a challenging year for everyone, from those who have given their all for others in their communities, to key workers, carers and volunteers.
The Club would like to take this opportunity to thank all fans for the magnificent support you have continued to give the team from afar since the start of the pandemic.
The undeniable loyalty of the Claret and Blue Army was demonstrated last summer by the phenomenal number of renewing Season Ticket Holders and, following on from the Government’s announcement, the Club can now provide an update that will enable supporters to prepare for the magnificent prospect of 60,000 fans filling London Stadium again from the beginning of next season.
Each supporter will have different circumstances and factors to consider, and the Club is committed to continue to ensure that their personal situation and requirements are treated with the utmost care and attention.
The Club will be personally contacting supporters in the coming days and weeks; however, it is pleased to confirm the following now:
- The Club will freeze Season Ticket prices for both the men’s and women’s 2021/22 campaigns – the men’s for the second consecutive year – across all bands, reaffirming the Club’s proud position as the home of affordable family football in London
- Club London seasonal prices will be frozen for 2021/22
- The option to transfer a Season Ticket to another supporter will remain in place for the 2021/22 campaign for Season Ticket Holders who want to retain their seat but are not yet ready to return
- The Club is also introducing an option for those Season Ticket Holders who are over 70 or are categorised under Government guidelines as clinically vulnerable to defer their Season Ticket for one season at no cost should they not wish to return immediately in 2021/22
- Any supporter who did not renew their Season Ticket for the 2020/21 season will have the opportunity to return as a Season Ticket Holder for the 2021/22 season
- In response to supporter feedback, a new and improved Priority List will be launched, giving any supporter interested in becoming a Season Ticket Holder in future seasons the ability to track their progress as they move closer to the top of the list through a dedicated online portal
- The Club will be contacting supporters who have been waiting patiently on the current Season Ticket Waiting List, giving them the opportunity to take up a 2021/22 Season Ticket or discuss further options
On the pitch, David Moyes’ team cannot wait to see supporters back in the stands, having built on their strong finish to the 2019/20 campaign with an even more impressive run of excellent results and performances this season.
Joint-Chairman David Sullivan said: “It’s been a tough year for everyone, but we welcome the announcement by the Government last week which gave us fresh hope for the return of football as we know it for next season. We are also encouraged by the prospect that fans could even be able to support the team in-person at London Stadium before the end of the 2020/21 season.
“We cannot wait to have supporters back, as soon as it is safe to do so, because football is not football without them inside the grounds getting right behind the team.
“We know our fantastic fans watching at home and across the world have been giving their famous backing to the team throughout the campaign, but we have all missed our supporters in the Stadium and there’s no doubt that 60,000 Hammers fans would have made the victory over Tottenham Hotspur at our last home match an even bigger celebration. So, the news of their return is greatly welcomed.
“In the meantime, we know they will be watching the forthcoming matches, supporting the team loudly and proudly from home, and we thank them for their patience – patience that we hope will soon be rewarded with regular visits back to London Stadium, doing what they love; supporting West Ham United in the stands.”
Supporter Update
Given the unprecedented circumstances this season, the first stage of preparations for the 2021/22 season will see supporters who did not renew their Season Ticket for the 2020/21 season contacted by email, offering them the opportunity to return for 2021/22. Supporters will be allocated a specific timeslot to call the Ticket Office where our dedicated staff will be on hand to go through the available options.
The Club will then begin contacting supporters who have been waiting patiently on the current Season Ticket Waiting List, giving them the opportunity to take up a 2021/22 Season Ticket or discuss further options.
At this stage, those long-standing Waiting List members who are eligible for a Season Ticket will be given the opportunity to secure their place for all 19 home league games in the 2021/22 season and select their preferred seating band.
The opportunity to select their seats will be offered, as always only once all existing Season Ticket Holders have had the chance to renew their seats for 2021/22.
Our Season Ticket renewals period will run as every year, and on sale dates will be communicated in the next few weeks.
The Club is beginning to contact supporters now to allow our Ticketing team adequate time to speak with and address the individual needs of all supporters and to prepare fully for the return of 60,000 fans at the start of next season.
While Government guidance has stipulated that it is the aim that all restrictions on social contact will cease from June 21, should this change and we see a return to either reduced capacity or matches played behind closed doors next season, the Club will remain flexible on the plans outlined and could revisit the previous options and protocols, which have been in effect for the 2020/21 season.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s address last week has outlined the roadmap out of the current national lockdown, with up to 10,000 spectators allowed to attend outdoor seated venues from 17 May.
The announcement opens up the possibility of Hammers supporters being able to attend the final home match of the 2020/21 Premier League campaign against Southampton on 23 May.
This news is welcomed by the Club and the Club is fully prepared and ready to welcome fans back to London Stadium, as was the case when West Ham United was the first club in the Premier League to welcome back 2,000 supporters for the home fixture vs Manchester United last December. London Stadium’s 60,000 capacity would mean the Club would be eligible for the maximum number of supporters to attend.
The Club is currently working with the Premier League and relevant authorities to understand this further and will update supporters as soon as possible.
As with previous ticketing ballots, only eligible 2020/21 Season Ticket Holders will have access to the ballot.
The Club can confirm that in acknowledgement of the current situation and, as a thank you to our loyal Season Ticket Holders, there will once again be a Season Ticket price freeze meaning currently, all Season Tickets remain among the cheapest in the Premier League.
On sale details will be communicated over the next few weeks whereupon the Club will aim to open renewals before the close of the 2020/21 season, giving supporters time to make plans ahead of the new campaign.
Renewing will be a simple and convenient process.
Those supporters who opted to take their 2020/21 refunds in Club Cash have benefited from an additional 10% Club Cash bonus which can be offset against their renewal price.
Any Season Ticket Holders who wish to take this option but are yet to advise us that they wish to use their Club Cash to offset against the balance of their 2021/22 Season Ticket can do so by clicking here.
This will also mean that any future refunds for games that supporters are unable to attend for the rest of this season will be added to their Club Cash balance to be offset against their Season Ticket renewal.
Supporters who have already told us they wish to take their full season refunds in Club Cash do not need to take any further action.
The Club will be communicating directly in the coming days to help Season Ticket Holders transfer their remaining refunds for all outstanding home fixtures to Club Cash should they wish to do so. Doing so will not affect eligibility to enter any ballot for the Southampton fixture in May.
Supporters who took the 30% payment option for their 2020/21 Season Ticket do not need to take any action at this time and will be contacted personally by the Club ahead of renewals to discuss their options for 2021/22.
For any supporters who may require a bit more time to feel comfortable returning to London Stadium, the Club is extending the existing option to transfer a Season Ticket to another supporter for next season. Season Ticket Holders aged over 70 and those who are categorised by the Government as clinically vulnerable, will also be given the option to defer their Season Ticket for one season at no cost should they not wish to return immediately, and they will retain their seat for the 2022/23 season.
For our valued Club London Members, your Account Managers will be in contact about your renewals process in the coming weeks.
Season Ticket Holders for West Ham United’s Women’s team will also be contacted as we gain more clarity about the situation for the 2021/22 Barclays WSL season.
Click here for further details and supporters are asked to keep an eye out for communications from the Club in the coming weeks.
In acknowledgement of an unprecedented situation and prior to the renewal window opening, the Club, following consultation with supporter groups, will first offer those Season Ticket Holders who did not renew for the 2020/21 season the opportunity to purchase their seat if it remains available, or the nearest possible alternative.
The Club will be contacting these supporters in the coming days with a dedicated time slot for them to call the Ticket Office, so please look out for direct communications.
Over the coming weeks, the Club will be contacting those supporters who have been patiently waiting at the top of our Season Ticket Waiting List and they may be offered the chance to secure their 2021/22 Season Ticket.
Supporters will be offered the opportunity to pay a deposit to secure their Season Ticket and submit their preference of pricing band. Their seats will then be allocated in the order in which they joined the Waiting List but only once all existing Season Ticket Holders have had the opportunity to retain their seats. All options outlined for renewing Season Ticket Holders will also be available to these supporters.
The deposit required for supporters on the Waiting List to secure their place for all 19 league home games and their band preference is as follows and will be deducted from the final price of the Season Ticket once their exact seat can be confirmed, following the completion of the Season Ticket renewal process:
- Adults - £50
- Under 21 / Over 65 - £30
- Under 16s - £20
As a result of the unprecedented season, for one season only, should supporters not want to take up their opportunity of a Season Ticket, they will be offered the chance to move to the new Priority List for the 2022/23 season, where they will retain their Waiting List position.
Those supporters to whom the Club is unable to offer a ticket through the Season Ticket Waiting List for the 2021/22 season will also be moved to the new Priority List and the deposit paid to join the Waiting List will be transferred until such point as they are offered a Season Ticket. The deposit will be refunded against the cost of a Season Ticket.
If you are on the Season Ticket Waiting List, please keep an eye on your inbox over the next few days for more detailed information on the process.
The new and improved Priority List has been created in response to supporter feedback and to enhance their experience by providing a way for supporters to check their likelihood of securing a Season Ticket on a season-by-season basis.
Priority on this list will be offered to supporters from the existing Season Ticket Waiting List who were unable to secure a ticket for 2021/22 or felt unable to take up the offer of a Season Ticket at this time, and they will be moved across in the current priority order. The Club will be contacting all supporters on the existing Waiting List, advising them of their options before moving to the new Priority List ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.
Once live, the new Priority List will enable supporters to track their progress as they move closer to the top through a new, dedicated digital portal.
Please keep an eye out for more information on the new Priority List. In the meantime, those interested in becoming a Season Ticket Holder can add themselves to the current Season Ticket Waiting List now by clicking here.
Club London
The Club is delighted to confirm a price freeze for our valued Club London Members for the 2021/22 season.
Since Members were last able to be welcomed to London Stadium, your dedicated team have been working hard to make changes to your matchday catering options and can’t wait for you to enjoy them.
A calendar of virtual, physical, business and fan focussed events will also be launched soon to enhance your experience beyond matchdays alone. With this in mind, please check your inboxes for your exclusive invitation to a Live Club London Q&A with Michail Antonio, which you should have received.
Should you have any questions or comments you would like to discuss ahead of the new season, don't hesitate to contact the Club London Team via [email protected]
We would urge supporters to please check for correspondence from the Club over the coming weeks as we work through these various stages in preparation for welcoming the Claret and Blue Army back home to London Stadium in 2021/22.
The Club will be contacting supporters via every available channel to help ensure all supporters receive the information appropriate to their individual situation.
Once again, thank you for your loyal and passionate support from afar this year.