Hearts launch season ticket sale - but for which league?

Club urges fans to commit for 2020-21 season with relegation issue still unclear
No football at Tynecastle during lockdown, but Hearts have asked their season ticket holders to renew for next season.Picture: SNS.No football at Tynecastle during lockdown, but Hearts have asked their season ticket holders to renew for next season.Picture: SNS.
No football at Tynecastle during lockdown, but Hearts have asked their season ticket holders to renew for next season.Picture: SNS.

Hearts launched season ticket sales for the 2020-21 campaign yesterday, offering fans a guaranteed ticket for the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs at Hampden Park as well as 
10 per cent discount.

Supporters who buy a seat for next season will secure their place at this year’s all-Edinburgh semi in the process, although when that tie is played remains unclear due to the coronavirus pandemic.

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The Tynecastle club’s owner, Ann Budge, is bringing costs down by 10 per cent from last year as the possibility of relegation looms over her club. The pricing plan for season 2020-21 ranges from £295 for adults in bronze seating areas up to £450 in platinum zones.

Hearts posted a statement alongside the new pricing structure stating they need fans’ support but adding that supporters will be given time to deliberate given the uncertainty over which league the club will occupy next season.

Incentives to buy a seat include the ticket for Hampden, 50 per cent discount on function suite hire at Tynecastle, exclusive monthly offers for the Hearts shop, an invite to a Tynecastle open day and first-team training session, plus 20 loyalty points.

The club statement read: “Normally, it is around this time of year when supporters can expect the club to launch its latest season ticket campaign – slick videos with drone footage of Tynecastle Park and fans celebrating, clever marketing slogans and specially-crafted hashtags for social media.

“This, however, is no normal year. Not for football, not for the world as a whole.

“We find ourselves in an unprecedented situation where a global pandemic is already affecting everyone’s lives. A knock-on effect of this pandemic is the suspension of domestic football in Scotland, which has led to speculation and uncertainty.

“As we all know, details on how or when this season will be concluded and when next season will start have not yet been agreed. We do not even know if Hearts will be a Premiership or Championship club in 2020-21.

“One thing we do know, however, is that once again the club needs your support.

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“Despite the total lack of clarity surrounding football a number of you have asked to support the club and renew your season tickets. This is why we have decided to put season tickets for the 2020-21 campaign on sale today.

“We are doing this, while fully recognising that in these uncertain times many supporters will have a big decision to make in terms of not just how, but indeed whether, they can continue to support their team next season.

“In some leagues, broadcast income provides the main source of revenue for clubs. In Scotland, however, ticket sales are and likely always will be, the largest source of income for our clubs. We all rely heavily on season ticket renewals/purchases to balance the books. So the big challenge facing us now is how can we try to balance the club’s need for season-ticket income with the uncertainties facing our 
supporters?

“To try to find some balance, we have looked at pricing and at how we can make it as easy as possible for our supporters to help us.

“Firstly, for current season-ticket holders, we are implementing a 10 per cent reduction across the board, on all season-ticket prices. This will hopefully go some way to compensating for losing the last three games of this season, while also allowing for the possibility of relegation.

“To be absolutely clear, when, and if, the ’19-20 season resumes then ’19-20 season tickets will, of course, still be valid for the remainder of this season’s fixtures.

“Secondly, we know there are supporters who may not presently be season-ticket holders, but who wish to buy one for next season to help the Club. For non-season ticket holders, we are, therefore also offering a discount. New season ticket holders will receive a five per cent discount on ’19-20 pricing.

“Rest assured this will not impact on existing season ticket holders. Only unoccupied seats (based on the 2019-20
season) will be released for sale at this time. So, if you are an existing season-ticket holder but are unable to renew immediately, please don’t worry, you will not lose your seat.

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“Those who are not current season-ticket holders, but wish to join us at Tynecastle next season, should email [email protected] and one of our ticket office staff will get in touch to discuss availability and options.”

Junior supporters are also catered for in the club’s discounted pricing strategy.

“At only £50, our cheapest U13 season ticket is among the best value in the league and we hope this price will encourage even more families to join us for the 2020-21 campaign,” the statement added.

“Given these challenging times we absolutely understand that some existing season-ticket holders, although wishing to do so, may simply not be able to commit to renewing their season tickets at this time.

“The renewal phase will, therefore, be open from now until Monday, 8 June to give everyone as much time as possible to join us for the 
2020-21 season.

“As in previous years we will, of course, offer supporters the chance to spread the cost of their season ticket via a repayment plan. This option will be available to supporters later this week.

“Due to the uncertainty surrounding which league we will be competing in next season, we are not able to make Category B season tickets available for sale at this time. Once there is clarity on the 2020-21 season, the club will examine the possibility of reintroducing these season tickets.

“These are testing times for everyone. The Foundation of Hearts’ mantra has long been to ‘pledge what you can afford’ and that is what we are asking you to do here; if you can afford to do so then please renew your season ticket for season 2020-21.”