Away Scheme Member Representative, Maurice Birnbaum, a member of the Fan Advisory Board (FAB), recently met with West Ham United Club officials as part of his role representing the views of the fanbase.
This positive and productive meeting reflected the Club’s ongoing commitment to engaging with supporters and ensuring their voices are heard in Club decision-making processes.
During the meeting, the representative raised several points of interest and concern on behalf of supporters, and the Club provided insight and updates about what Away Scheme members can expect in the coming season.
Maurice said of the meeting, “This was an introductory meeting to share some early feedback from supporters, and to gain a greater understanding of the Away Scheme. It was reassuring that the Club confirmed that Away Scheme privileges would continue and recognised the importance of the scheme's value in fostering loyal away support.”
The Club recently contacted Away Scheme Members regarding a trial, which is taking place before the end of the 2024/25 season to test enhancements to the existing scheme. Maurice stated that most members of the Away Scheme are happy with the current process. The decision about the process for 2025/26 will be based on an evaluation of the trial, in particular feedback from supporters through a survey to be conducted after the trial.
The Club also shared details of Premier League rule changes, which will be coming into effect during the 2026/27 season, which will need to be incorporated within the Scheme.
The Supporter Representative asked a number of questions and raised a number of issues as part of the meeting, including about the impact of impending rule changes. It was agreed the responses to these questions and issues would be published to Away Scheme Members for visibility.
The Away Scheme is not currently open to new members and the Club is not planning to increase the number of Away Scheme Members which sits at around 600 supporters. Growing the Away Scheme Membership would mean the Club is unable to fulfil the game for fixtures held at smaller capacity grounds such as Luton Town, AFC Bournemouth and Brentford.
The Club agreed to review to communications to all Away Scheme Members to ensure renewal and payment deadlines were clearly signposted. The Club also encourages supporters to check their communication preferences on their account.
1. Sign in to your West Ham Account here
2. Under profile select 'Update Preferences'
3. Select the tick boxes for the type of communication you would wish to have with the Club.
4. Click 'Save Preferences'.
This will ensure you receive key information from West Ham United
The Club will also communicate renewal deadlines by post and SMS message to ensure that supporters who do not access the internet are aware of key dates.
The Away Scheme Terms and Conditions can be found on the Club website here. The Away Scheme is specifically designed for supporters who intend to travel to all Premier League away fixtures. Whilst we understand there may be extenuating circumstances which prevent a supporter from travelling at short notice, the unauthorised sale or disposal of an Away Match Ticket is not allowed by the Club and may amount to a criminal offence.
We want all our supporters to be able to enjoy all fixtures, home and away, in a safe environment West Ham United fans. Should a Supporter not be able to attend a fixture, they should contact the Ticket Office as soon as practically possible.
If a Supporter is found to be selling or giving their ticket to someone else, the Club will be reluctantly forced to consider match bans and other sanctions to prevent such behaviour occurring again.
Away Ticket Scheme Membership entitles a scheme member to one ticket to all domestic away matches played in the Premier League and where possible for all Cup games.
The Club cannot guarantee that it will be able to provide a ticket for each match covered by the Away Ticket Scheme. In the event that the number of tickets which the Club receives for a game is not enough to cover all the Away Ticket Scheme members, a ballot will be held to determine which Away Ticket Scheme members will receive a ticket.
For games not covered by the scheme, the Club will always seek to take the maximum allocation provided by a host Club. Away tickets are sold initially to Bondholders followed by Away Scheme Members. Tickets then go on sale to Season Ticket holders using the Priority Points system. Purchase windows for all these groups are announced on the Club website in advance of the actual sale dates.
A small proportion of each Away allocation is reserved for Club partners, player families and Club London guests. This is around 15% of the total allocation.
The Club reiterated its full support for Away Scheme members. The Club confirmed they were not aware of the Premier League’s away ticket price cap changing, but would communicate directly with supporters should more information be provided by the Premier League
From the 2026/27 season onwards, new digital ticketing requirements will be introduced by the Premier League. You can find out more about them here.
The key change is that each Club is now responsible for ensuring that each match ticket is assigned to the individual who intends on attending the match, and that each Attendee’s name and contact details must be registered with the Club. No Club will be able to permit the sale of Home and/or Away Tickets to an individual not registered to the Club.
More information will follow, shared to each Away Scheme Member directly, but to prepare for these rule changes, you will see the following:
- A series of communications from the Club, including a survey to get your thoughts and feedback on how the Away Scheme currently works
- For the last three away games this season, a change to how you purchase tickets for the Away Scheme
- Increased numbers of Ticket Office staff at away fixtures available to speak with supporters about these rule changes. It is advised supporters carry a form of ID to match their ticket as spot checks will be conducted across the League
The Club is also mindful of the costs incurred by away supporters travelling to show their support and was delighted to announce a pilot with Trainline to offer discounts on train travel for selected fixtures. You can find out more here.
When is the deadline for Away Scheme Members to renew for the 2025/26 season?
Any Away Scheme Member looking to renew their membership must do this by 2 June, the same deadline as the Season Ticket deadline. Communications will be sent to Away Scheme Members to encourage them to renew before the deadline.
The Club will continue to work with the Away Scheme Member Representative and wider Fan Advisory Board for the benefit of all supporters. Should you have an individual question, you are always encouraged to contact the Ticket Office, Supporter Services team or Away Scheme Member Representative who are available to help. An email address and other communication channels will be available soon for supporters to communicate directly with the Away Scheme Member Representative.
