whufc.com answers supporters' questions on Season Tickets for the 2016/17 season, the first at the new Stadium.
What is a Founder?
Season Ticket Holders at the new Stadium in 2016/17 will be more than just supporters, they will be the Founders of West Ham's new home, helping to build our exciting future and joining Arnold Hills, Bobby Moore and all the other legends of our Club by leaving their indelible mark on Hammers history.
Subject to availability, Founders can also introduce two fellow Hammers fans to join them as Season Ticket Holders in our new Stadium, choosing their seats together at our dedicated Reservation Centre and sitting united for the big kick-off at our new world-class home in 2016. The names of the Founders will be proudly displayed at the new Stadium, and they will all receive a commemorative Founders pin badge.
Why do some new Season Ticket Holders get to choose their seats before existing Season Ticket Holders?
During consultation with the Supporters’ Advisory Board about the fairest and simplest way to manage the seat selection process in the new Stadium, the Club received strong feedback that the ability to group with friends and family was one of the highest priorities for supporters when it came to selecting their seats.
The Club have listened to that feedback and want to reward fans’ loyalty by enabling them to group with existing supporters or bring two friends or family members with them as Season Ticket Holders in the new Stadium. This process allows them to do just that but crucially not at the expense of fellow Season Ticket Holders.
Will this affect the range of seats on offer to existing Season Ticket Holders?
The Club have undertaken meticulous research, using all available data and sales projections, to model the likely requests for additional Season Tickets within each price band and we aim to accommodate as many of those requests as possible, helped by the fact that we will have 20,000 extra seats in the new Stadium.
Nevertheless, we will also apply a strictly controlled process when considering these requests, based on a combination of the number of additional seats requested, the location of the desired seats and the price band of existing Season Ticket Holders.
As a result, we are confident we can meet both the requests we have had from supporters - allowing Season Ticket Holders the option to sit with their friends and family wherever possible, while guaranteeing each Season Ticket Holder a comparable seat in terms of band and location, based on their seat for the final season at the Boleyn Ground.
Will newly-introduced Season Ticket Holders be able to get first picks of one of the lower band seats?
No. The process will be strictly controlled, in terms of number, band and seat location, to ensure that the choice of supporters who are still to select their seats in lower bands is not affected.
Furthermore with 20,000 more seats, the larger capacity of the Stadium means there are a greater number of seats available in every pricing band, ensuring that all existing Season Ticket Holders will have a good selection to choose from when they attend their Reservation Centre appointment.
Can those two new Season Ticket Holders pick a lower band than the Founder?
No. Supporters who are invited to become new Season Ticket Holders are therefore only eligible to purchase seats in an equivalent or higher band than the lead Season Ticket Holder.
That will protect the rights of Season Ticket Holders in lower price bands and ensure that the range of seats on offer to them is in no way restricted as a result of the introduction of new Season Ticket Holders. Under no circumstances will any exceptions will be made to this rule to ensure the integrity of the process is maintained.
How will introducing new Season Ticket Holders work?
Subject to availability, every Season Ticket Holder renewing for the 2016/17 season will have the opportunity to introduce up to two new Season Ticket Holders at the new Stadium. Any existing Season Ticket Holder will be able to bring the new Season Ticket Holders with them when they choose their seat at their Reservation Centre appointment.
Do my two new Season Ticket Holders have to sit in the same band as me even if I choose to upgrade?
The Club would reasonably expect that supporters bringing new Season Ticket Holders with them will wish to sit together at the new Stadium, but they are not required to do so.
Based on the lead Season Ticket Holder’s location for the final season at the Boleyn Ground, new Season Ticket Holders are eligible to sit in the same band or higher at the new Stadium. This is again to protect the process and the priority of supporters sitting in lower bands.
Can I upgrade my seat to a higher band?
Yes. Subject to availability, Season Ticket Holders will all have the option to move into a higher price band and the Club’s decisions on pricing will make it more affordable for supporters to do so.
That is why the seat selection process is being conducted in order of price band, from band 1 to band 4, so it is clear at each stage what seats are available in higher price bands.
In line with the Club’s seat selection principles, every Season Ticket Holder will have first choice on the best available seats in their existing price band before these are offered to supporters in a lower band wishing to upgrade.
Can I choose a seat in a lower price band?
Any Season Ticket Holder wanting to choose a seat in a lower price band than their equivalent at the Boleyn Ground may do so, but they will have to wait until all current Season Ticket Holders from that band have had the opportunity to select their new seat. This is to ensure Season Ticket Holders in lower price bands get first pick of the seats in their band and are in no way disadvantaged by the process or by their fellow supporters.
Where will each price band be located and how many seats will there be in each?
Supporters will be able to see the location of all seats in the price bands available to them at their Reservation Centre appointment.
1) Existing groups
I already sit with a group at the Boleyn Ground and we want to sit together in the new Stadium. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?
Yes. Season Ticket Holders who currently sit together at the Boleyn Ground will also be able to move as a group. Supporters can create and register their group via the Online Reservation Centre and then attend the New Stadium Reservation Centre together.
2) New groups
i) I want to 'group' with Season Ticket Holders who sit in my price band, but do not currently sit with me. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?
Season Ticket Holders in the same price band are welcome to group together. Supporters can create and register their group via the Online Reservation Centre and then attend the New Stadium Reservation Centre together.
The Club will look to allocate the seats that most closely fit the group's requirements, though the area selected may not be directly comparable for members of the group with the best seat location.
ii) I want to 'group' with Season Ticket Holders who sit in different price bands. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?
Season Ticket Holders currently in different price bands are also welcome to group at the new Stadium, but will be required to group with the individual in the highest band. This is to protect the rights of Season Ticket Holders in lower price bands and ensure that they are in no way disadvantaged by the process or by their fellow supporters.
The Club will look to allocate the seats that most closely fit the group's requirements, though the area selected may not be directly comparable for members of the group with the best seat location.
What is a Founder?
Season Ticket Holders at the new Stadium in 2016/17 will be more than just supporters, they will be the Founders of West Ham's new home, helping to build our exciting future and joining Arnold Hills, Bobby Moore and all the other legends of our Club by leaving their indelible mark on Hammers history.
Subject to availability, Founders can also introduce two fellow Hammers fans to join them as Season Ticket Holders in our new Stadium, choosing their seats together at our dedicated Reservation Centre and sitting united for the big kick-off at our new world-class home in 2016. The names of the Founders will be proudly displayed at the new Stadium, and they will all receive a commemorative Founders pin badge.
Why do some new Season Ticket Holders get to choose their seats before existing Season Ticket Holders?
During consultation with the Supporters’ Advisory Board about the fairest and simplest way to manage the seat selection process in the new Stadium, the Club received strong feedback that the ability to group with friends and family was one of the highest priorities for supporters when it came to selecting their seats.
The Club have listened to that feedback and want to reward fans’ loyalty by enabling them to group with existing supporters or bring two friends or family members with them as Season Ticket Holders in the new Stadium. This process allows them to do just that but crucially not at the expense of fellow Season Ticket Holders.
Will this affect the range of seats on offer to existing Season Ticket Holders?
The Club have undertaken meticulous research, using all available data and sales projections, to model the likely requests for additional Season Tickets within each price band and we aim to accommodate as many of those requests as possible, helped by the fact that we will have 20,000 extra seats in the new Stadium.
Nevertheless, we will also apply a strictly controlled process when considering these requests, based on a combination of the number of additional seats requested, the location of the desired seats and the price band of existing Season Ticket Holders.
As a result, we are confident we can meet both the requests we have had from supporters - allowing Season Ticket Holders the option to sit with their friends and family wherever possible, while guaranteeing each Season Ticket Holder a comparable seat in terms of band and location, based on their seat for the final season at the Boleyn Ground.
Will newly-introduced Season Ticket Holders be able to get first picks of one of the lower band seats?
No. The process will be strictly controlled, in terms of number, band and seat location, to ensure that the choice of supporters who are still to select their seats in lower bands is not affected.
Furthermore with 20,000 more seats, the larger capacity of the Stadium means there are a greater number of seats available in every pricing band, ensuring that all existing Season Ticket Holders will have a good selection to choose from when they attend their Reservation Centre appointment.
Can those two new Season Ticket Holders pick a lower band than the Founder?
No. Supporters who are invited to become new Season Ticket Holders are therefore only eligible to purchase seats in an equivalent or higher band than the lead Season Ticket Holder.
That will protect the rights of Season Ticket Holders in lower price bands and ensure that the range of seats on offer to them is in no way restricted as a result of the introduction of new Season Ticket Holders. Under no circumstances will any exceptions will be made to this rule to ensure the integrity of the process is maintained.
How will introducing new Season Ticket Holders work?
Subject to availability, every Season Ticket Holder renewing for the 2016/17 season will have the opportunity to introduce up to two new Season Ticket Holders at the new Stadium. Any existing Season Ticket Holder will be able to bring the new Season Ticket Holders with them when they choose their seat at their Reservation Centre appointment.
Do my two new Season Ticket Holders have to sit in the same band as me even if I choose to upgrade?
The Club would reasonably expect that supporters bringing new Season Ticket Holders with them will wish to sit together at the new Stadium, but they are not required to do so.
Based on the lead Season Ticket Holder’s location for the final season at the Boleyn Ground, new Season Ticket Holders are eligible to sit in the same band or higher at the new Stadium. This is again to protect the process and the priority of supporters sitting in lower bands.
Can I upgrade my seat to a higher band?
Yes. Subject to availability, Season Ticket Holders will all have the option to move into a higher price band and the Club’s decisions on pricing will make it more affordable for supporters to do so.
That is why the seat selection process is being conducted in order of price band, from band 1 to band 4, so it is clear at each stage what seats are available in higher price bands.
In line with the Club’s seat selection principles, every Season Ticket Holder will have first choice on the best available seats in their existing price band before these are offered to supporters in a lower band wishing to upgrade.
Can I choose a seat in a lower price band?
Any Season Ticket Holder wanting to choose a seat in a lower price band than their equivalent at the Boleyn Ground may do so, but they will have to wait until all current Season Ticket Holders from that band have had the opportunity to select their new seat. This is to ensure Season Ticket Holders in lower price bands get first pick of the seats in their band and are in no way disadvantaged by the process or by their fellow supporters.
Where will each price band be located and how many seats will there be in each?
Supporters will be able to see the location of all seats in the price bands available to them at their Reservation Centre appointment.
1) Existing groups
I already sit with a group at the Boleyn Ground and we want to sit together in the new Stadium. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?
Yes. Season Ticket Holders who currently sit together at the Boleyn Ground will also be able to move as a group. Supporters can create and register their group via the Online Reservation Centre and then attend the New Stadium Reservation Centre together.
2) New groups
i) I want to 'group' with Season Ticket Holders who sit in my price band, but do not currently sit with me. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?
Season Ticket Holders in the same price band are welcome to group together. Supporters can create and register their group via the Online Reservation Centre and then attend the New Stadium Reservation Centre together.
The Club will look to allocate the seats that most closely fit the group's requirements, though the area selected may not be directly comparable for members of the group with the best seat location.
ii) I want to 'group' with Season Ticket Holders who sit in different price bands. Can we sit together in the new Stadium?
Season Ticket Holders currently in different price bands are also welcome to group at the new Stadium, but will be required to group with the individual in the highest band. This is to protect the rights of Season Ticket Holders in lower price bands and ensure that they are in no way disadvantaged by the process or by their fellow supporters.
The Club will look to allocate the seats that most closely fit the group's requirements, though the area selected may not be directly comparable for members of the group with the best seat location.