Ian Ayre Defends Ticket Sales Change For Official Members

Liverpool managing director Ian Ayre has defended the club’s decision to change the way tickets are sold to LFC official members.

Next month members will be able to buy tickets in advance for all of the Reds’ home league games to be played prior to December 31. Tickets for all home games in the second half of the season will go on sale in November.

Last season the week-long window for fans to take advantage of priority access to the 8,000 seats for members was restricted to around four weeks before each fixture.

Some supporters have expressed concern that to secure tickets for each game they will now have to shell out a large lump sum of cash months in advance of matches or risk missing out.

However, in response to questions from supporters union Spirit of Shankly, Ayre insisted the change will benefit rather than hinder most members.

“There is an enormous demand for season tickets at Liverpool FC – we have over 70,000 people on a waiting list,” he said.

“That number alone provides a very clear indication that there is an enormous appetite for people to attend as many games as possible, and an enormous base of fans indicating that they are prepared to pay in advance for tickets.

“I’m not sure there could be any clearer message. In addition we have very clear data that shows the mix of people travelling from local and non-local addresses to games is equally varied.

“We are a globally supported club so we need to provide solutions that work for everyone.

“This indicates that the ability for those travelling outside Merseyside post codes to have greater and longer term visibility of the certainty of having tickets to matches is a great benefit and provides a greater ability to book transport, hotels and other such facilities in advance, often at more preferential rates.

“The combination of those factors provides a clear indication of a demand to buy multiple tickets in advance.”

The sale period for LFC official members covering home league games in the first half of the season starts on July 11 depending on attendance at matches last season, but to buy tickets memberships must be renewed or purchased prior to July 7.

Members will be able to buy either for individual games or for all the games available and the members sale will remain open until all tickets have been sold or 21 days before each fixture.

Spirit of Shankly spokesman James McKenna said: “Some fans will be happy about the changes because it allows them to plan for future games but others not so happy. The club are clearly trying to progress and improve things for supporters.

“However, in future supporters would like greater consideration given to the time scale and the cost which comes with buying eight or nine tickets in one go. It shows the importance of dialogue between supporters and the club to ensure potential issues which would arise are addressed.”

The changes don’t have any impact on general sale with the number of tickets available to LFC members unchanged from last season. General sale tickets will still be available from around three weeks before each game.