FC Barcelona complains about an immense decline in spectators. Now, Barça are introducing new measures, mainly related to season tickets, in order to refill the Camp Nou and ensure correct use of the tickets.
Against spectator decline: FC Barcelona introduces new ticket measures
After the Europa League second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt, debates about the rules for tickets were held in Barcelona in mid-April. A conflict that also led to a boycott by the Blaugrana Ultras against Cádiz. In general, FC Barcelona has often observed the absence of fans in the recent past – season ticket holders often simply did not come to the stadium – and an associated decline in spectators. Although Barça had the highest average attendance in La Liga in 2021/22, they only averaged 53,982 spectators per game – a significant drop compared to previous seasons, when between 70,000 and 75,000 fans usually filled the Camp Nou, giving Barça one of the had the highest average viewership in all of Europe.
As Barça announced on their own website, new measures will be introduced for the 2022/23 season to ensure fuller ranks at Camp Nou and proper use of the cards. The regulations came about at a board meeting after proposals from the members had been received by the association.
Regular sale of season tickets possible again
After the restrictions on the permitted capacities in Spanish stadiums were lifted by the corona pandemic, previous exceptions when buying a season ticket no longer apply. Normal payment and delivery of the tickets will be possible again from July 14th. In addition, the service “Seient Lliure” will be resumed. Season ticket holders can use it to free up space for other Barça fans for certain games where they do not (or cannot) plan to visit the stadium. If the tickets are made available ten days or more before the game, the season ticket holder will receive money from the club (this can be up to 95 percent of the ticket price). If the ticket is released less than ten days before the game, such payment will only take place if the ticket is actually sold.
With the stated aim of attracting season ticket holders and other members to the Camp Nou en masse, promoting the legitimate use of season tickets and fighting ticket fraud, new rules were laid out at the board meeting that will apply from the start of next season.
New La Liga schedule: Barça will start with a home game in the 2022/23 season
Benefits from regular stadium visits
The first item listed is a membership count for the 2022/23 season. In addition, from July 1st, new conditions will apply to season tickets for the Camp Nou and the Palau Blaugrana, where Barça will play their basketball and handball games, among other things.
Among the new terms is that season ticket holders who attend 85 per cent of the matches will receive a number of benefits such as discounted tickets for companions, discounts on catering at the Camp Nou and, for example, entry into ticket and shirt raffles.
For season ticket holders who, in turn, attend fewer games and are absent from ten games or vacate their seat, the club resorts to “Seient Lliure”. This means that – after the season ticket holder has been notified – if the holder does not claim the ticket 72 hours before kick-off, the ticket for the match will be offered for regular sale. The same applies here: Only if the ticket subsequently put on sale by the club is purchased does the member receive the corresponding part of the price. In the Palau, the rule of “reverse being liure” applies to six games in the season where the owner is not on site.
Season ticket holders who do not attend a single game or give up their seat in the next season will lose their status as season ticket holders for the 2023/24 season. This applies to the Camp Nou and the Palau.
FC Barcelona will play at Montjuïc in 2023/24 – move costs €20m
Test of digital season tickets – New requirements for purchasing season tickets
Another measure that FC Barcelona uses is the voluntary use of the new digital season ticket. The digital season ticket can be downloaded via an application, details of which FC Barcelona plans to announce soon. Among other things, this is intended to combat abuse in relation to season tickets. In addition, Barça describes that better personalized services can be offered in this way and that the digital season ticket is in line with Barça’s commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.
The season ticket can also be securely transferred to other members, relatives or friends via an app, which should also make tracing easier. Traditional season tickets, which are sent by post from FC Barcelona, will remain, but there will also be a change here: instead of a QR code, a magnetic component will be introduced on the card. According to Barça, this also offers security advantages and is already being used for season tickets in the Palau. A deadline to volunteer for this new service has yet to be announced. If the associated experience gained turns out to be successful, then the implementation of the cards for the second half of the season in the league will be considered.
There are also new regulations for changing names on season tickets. Up to the second degree of relationship, this will continue to be free of charge. Otherwise, no more than two years on the waiting list are required. Other changes include that to purchase a season ticket, people must have been a member for four years instead of five, and that only three seasons must be paid for in full, instead of six.
Benefits for members too – tickets are personalised
But there should also be better price conditions with regard to tickets for members without a season ticket. There should be special offers for them, so many seats should be reserved for members and include fixed prices. In addition, the pre-sale phases will be extended from 24 hours to 48 or even 72 hours.
Another measure taken by FC Barcelona: purchased tickets must be digital and contain the name of the holder. This is also intended to combat ticket abuse and make tracing possible. After the events in the Europa League second leg against Eintracht Frankfurt, when around 30,000 SGE fans took the Camp Nou, Barça President Joan Laporta had announced personalized tickets for matches in international competitions.
–
