Arsenal confirm new policy for cup-final tickets | OneFootball

Arsenal have confirmed changes to their cup-final ticket policy, with a move seemingly designed to encourage home attendance.

LONDON, ENGLAND: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang of Arsenal poses with Mikel Arteta, Manager of Arsenal and the FA Cup Trophy after their team’s victory in the Heads Up FA Cup Final match between Arsenal and Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on August 01, 2020. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Writing in an email statement to fans on Friday, Arsenal confirmed their plans to change how tickets for FA Cup, League Cup, European Cup finals, and FA Cup semi-finals are prioritised.

In the past, supporters with the most away credits had priority for cup final tickets. However, the switch will now see those with the best home attendance receiving priority.

Specifically, priority access to purchase tickets for these matches will be based on Gold and Platinum members’ home attendance.

Arsenal write that they made the decision following consultation with supporters’ groups, including the AST and AISA, and discussion with the Fans’ Forum.

This is an interesting change and one which may well have multiple reasons behind it. Officially, it’s to ensure more fans have the opportunity to attend finals, but the intended secondary effect could be to try and keep attendances up.

If you know that missing a game might impact your ability to go to a final, you’re probably a bit more likely to turn up.

Personally, I think it’s a welcome change, and I say that as someone who has enough away credits to guarantee I can always get cup final tickets. I’d like to see more people at matches and the most committed home fans with the chance to attend finals.