SPFL clubs are looking for assurances from the Scottish Government about the return of supporters next season before they put Season Tickets on sale.
It is over year since fan attended matches other than a couple of ‘test events’ where crowds of 300 were allowed to attend but it seems that UEFA have been reassured that 12,000 will be able to attend European Championship matches at Hampden.
Having 25% capacity in June should provide optimism for August onwards when the new season starts but so far there has been no firm word from Holyrood to Hampden.
This time of year is normally when clubs can look forward to an influx of cash but so far only Dundee United have put tickets on sale.
After speaking to a senior Premiership source, the Daily Record reports:
The likelihood is Scottish fans won’t see their clubs in action until next season, as the earliest. That in itself is going to cause clubs an issue when it comes to selling season tickets, corporate and sponsorship for the next campaign.
They are the main source of incomes for our already struggling clubs. Most supporters failed to see their team in action this season and some could also demand refunds back from a campaign of which they have been locked out.
Scotland’s top-flight clubs did offer virtual season tickets but a lot of fans may not renew if there is no light on a return to stadia. That is the genuine concern for clubs.
Last year Celtic started selling Season Tickets on March 6, in June Peter Lawwell was hopeful that Celtic Park could stage a test event before the SPFL season kicked off.
That sort of news plus the promise of live streaming helped sell 50,000 Season Tickets but fans were badly let down by the poor quality stream and the club being evasive about the promised ‘added value’.
With no indication over what capacity Celtic Park will hold next season the club is left with a headache over its major source of income.
