WATFORD FOOTBALL CLUB 2022/23
AWAY MATCH TICKETS – SALES POLICY

OVERVIEW
In detailing away match tickets sales arrangements for 2022/23, Watford FC is continuing its policy of prioritising fans who've travelled to support the team over recent seasons.

There is no single, perfect solution. The aim has been to devise a policy that is as fair & equitable as possible, reflecting a combination of regularity and longevity of support, while trying to end with reasonable numbers in ticket access groups.

All data used in the figures below is drawn from ticket sales since July 2014 to provide consistency of purchasing numbers across both home and away sales policies.

Thanks to all supporters who’ve provided feedback about their buying experiences and requests for future technologies; the analysis from which helped shape the club's decision-making process.

METHODS OF PURCHASE
The Hornets are keen that all those intending to purchase away tickets - whether for every game or just one or two fixtures - are familiar with tickets.watfordfc.com, the club's online sales website and have a Fan ID number.

Tickets are available to purchase over the phone on 01923 223023 (Supporter Services Hotline) and in person - from the Ticketing and Supporter Services Office under the Rookery Stand - however buying online is the club's recommended route.

Anyone who has ever bought tickets through our Supporter Services team will have a unique Fan ID number assigned. This automatically creates an online account which can be activated and personalised.

Supporters looking to attend games together can buy their tickets all at once. Each ticket bought will need to be assigned to an eligible Fan ID before a purchase can be completed. Supporters can purchase on behalf of other Fan ID numbers by linking their accounts online, this will make it easier if you regularly buy tickets for two or more supporters.

For the purposes of building a booking history, please do not create duplicate Fan IDs. Issues with online purchasing can be resolved with help from our Supporter Services team: supporters@watfordfc.com or 01923 223023.

TICKET ACCESS GROUPS
Working with its data partner Goodform, the Hornets have again created Ticket Access groups to arrange first access to tickets for the most regular travellers.

When tickets for a match are expected to reach general sale, we may choose to make tickets available to more than one access group at a time, to allow for a quicker and more efficient sales process.

Group A recognises current season ticket holders who've been to at least fifteen away matches since July 2014
Group B recognises match ticket purchasers (non-season ticket holders) with the same number.
Group C recognises current season ticket holders who’ve been to less than fifteen away matches since July 2014
Group D recognises match ticket purchasers (non-season ticket holders) with between one and fourteen away matches since July 2014.
Group E recognises fans who hold season tickets and wish to purchase additional tickets for friends and family who have not purchased away match tickets before.

Game count does not include; friendlies, the FA Cup Final (vs Manchester City) and both FA Cup Semi-Final’s (vs Crystal Palace & Wolves). Away fixtures with Tottenham Hotspur played at either Wembley Stadium or Stadium MK are included.

Group A – 4,277 fans
Group B - 944 fans
Group C – 10,319 fans
Group D – 18,573 fans
Group E – 13,232 fans

At the club’s discretion, there may be fixtures for which we do not make tickets available to all Ticket Access Groups.  Details of any change to this process will be announced when sales arrangements are published for those matches.

In circumstances where our away allocation is unlikely to satisfy demand for tickets, a temporary Ticket Access Group will be established. The eligibility for this group will be decided upon at the time of the fixture based on making those tickets available to those supporters who most regularly attend away fixtures. As the criteria for inclusion in any temporary Ticket Access Group varies between fixtures, previous inclusion in one of these groups does not guarantee future eligibility.

Will tickets still be made available for General Sale?
Any tickets not sold during the access group process may be made available for general sale. Timings will be communicated via our official website and social media channels.

At the club’s discretion, there may be fixtures to which we do not make tickets available to general sale. 

FAMILY FRIENDLY AND NON-STANDING SEATING
We wish to ensure that all supporters travelling to away games have an equal chance of enjoying the matchday experience - including family groups and those unable to stand for long periods.

Each away fixture will have a suitable area reserved for Junior Hornets members and their families. This area will be available outside of the regular sales process, so Junior Hornets bookings can be made as soon as sales begin.

We are fully aware that standing in our sections at away stadiums has become commonplace. As a result, the club has introduced a designated seating area for supporters who wish to remain seated and enjoy the matches.

These tickets will still be subject to the usual sales process, with tickets being available to those in Ticket Access Groups as and when those sales commence.

These tickets will not be available online, if you wish to purchase in either area, please call the Supporter Services team on 01923 223023.

SALES PROCESS
The Hornets are aware that planning away travel is best done as far ahead of fixture date as possible, so the club is aiming to be on sale with away match tickets at least a month before a fixture. This relies on confirmation of the date and time of the fixture from the competition organiser and our host's providing timely delivery of match pricing and ticket stock.

Where provided, the actual seating plan from away grounds is being built in online so that when seats are purchased, the sale confirmation will carry the actual row & seat number relating to the host stadium.

At least 72 hours before each sale, the Supporter Services team will publish a schedule of sale, broken down by date and Access Group.

The selling order of away tickets is determined by the host club, and we are obliged to follow this.

In order to give all fans a good chance to plan away travel, the windows of time for Access Groups purchase will be relatively short.

This will allow a more flexible approach to decisions during the sale with regards to involving other fans in the chance to purchase tickets well before the date of the fixture.

Please be aware the club will have no record of any tickets bought via pay-on-the-day at the Away Ground, as such these purchases will not be included in any data used when creating Ticket Access Groups for this and future seasons.

A QUESTION FOR US?
Feel free to send an email to supporters@watfordfc.com, an address monitored closely during office hours. Calls are also welcome to 01923 223023, the club's Supporter Services Hotline, Monday-Friday 9am-5.30pm.