Hartlepool United is excited to confirm arrangements for the return of approximately 1700 supporters to Victoria Park for this month's fixture with Weymouth FC.
This is following the government's target dates for Step 3 of the roadmap out of COVID-19 restrictions, which will see National League teams able to host a home game with a limited number of supporters in attendance.
The club has been planning for the return of fans for several months, putting in place a range of protocols to ensure supporters' matchday experience is as safe and comfortable as possible. As well as government guidance on restricted capacity, the club must also follow Sports Ground Safety Authority protocol and National League guidance with regards to restricted capacities and having the necessary measures in place – with approximately 1700 being the maximum number of supporters being allowed in at Victoria Park as per guidelines.
All 2020/21 Season Ticket holders will of course be able to attend the game as part of their package – but due to Covid measures in place they will not be able to sit or stand in their exact normal location. Additionally, all supporters must access the ground with a ‘paper' match ticket designating their new seat or terrace location, rather than with their existing season ticket card. The club will announce plans early next week for 2020/21 Season Ticket holders to get their match tickets.
There will be a relatively small number of match tickets available to purchase for this game. Tickets will be priced at £25 for an adult ticket and £20 for all other category of tickets. Due to the higher cost of hosting a game under current measures and because of the restricted capacity, unfortunately to cover costs and mitigate losses in a difficult financial environment for the club, ticket prices have had to be increased proportionally. Additionally, in order to ensure the Weymouth fixture was rearranged to a date to allow fans to access the game, the club is covering a significant financial contribution for the away team's travel costs - further adding to the significant expense of putting on the fixture. The Weymouth fixture and a potential home playoff fixture are under exceptional circumstances with regards to Covid measures and restricted capacities, and these increased ticket prices are not something that will be carried forward to games under normal measures.
Due to the expected high demand for these tickets, supporters who have purchased a Season Ticket for next season (excluding current 2020/21 Season Ticket holders who are already able to attend this fixture as part of their current package) will be given a priority purchasing period – please note, due to the relatively small number of tickets available there will not be enough for all supporters who have purchased a 2021/22 Season Ticket. More details of the Weymouth ticket sales procedure will be released early next week. For any potential home playoff fixture, the club will give the same priority purchasing period to current season and 2021/22 Season Ticket holders.
As a reminder, the ‘Early Bird' period for 2021/22 Season Tickets closes at 6pm on Friday 14th May – both in person at the ticket office and via the online ticketing system. Season Ticket sales will then be paused until the Standard Pricing window begins once the season is finished.
There will also be a small number of matchday hospitality and ticket packages available, with pricing and arrangements to be confirmed as soon as step 3 government guidance for hospitality venues is fully understood. Again – this will be covered in the release early next week.
Thank you for your support and co-operation – we look forward to seeing you back at Victoria Park!