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FAQs: Supporters to return to Franklin’s Gardens

Northampton Saints expect to finally welcome supporters back to Franklin’s Gardens for the Club’s Gallagher Premiership clashes against Wasps (Saturday 29 May) and Exeter Chiefs (Sunday 6 June).

From Monday 17 May, supporters are expected to be allowed back into sporting stadia across the country, meaning the fixture can be safely played in front of a reduced-capacity crowd of up to 4,000 people.

Here is everything you need to know about the ticket ballot process, general sale tickets, and on matchday…


TICKETING INFORMATION

How can I buy tickets for Saints vs Wasps and Saints vs Exeter at Franklin’s Gardens?
There will be two ticket ballot windows for these games, which run from Wednesday 5 May to Tuesday 11 May at 12pm, and then from Wednesday 12 May to Wednesday 19 May at 2pm.

Those who renewed their Season Tickets before the Club initially took them off sale on Thursday 15 October 2020 are eligible to enter the first ballot. Those Season Ticket Holders who renewed their memberships following the announcement of the Rollover plan between 19 November 2020 and 31 January 2021 will be eligible for a second ballot, should any tickets remain.

Should any tickets remain following the ticket ballot, they will be placed on general sale on Wednesday 19 May.

When are tickets available to buy until?
Should any tickets remain, they will be taken off general sale at 12pm on Thursday 27 May (vs Wasps) and 12pm on Thursday 3 June (vs Exeter). However, with only a limited number available, supporters are urged to purchase early to avoid disappointment.

Is Hospitality available for these matches?
A limited number of hospitality spaces are available for Saints vs Wasps and Saints vs Exeter – please contact [email protected] to make an enquiry.

How many spectators will be allowed to watch?
Up to 4,000 supporters will be welcomed back through the gates for the Gallagher Premiership clashes.

How much do tickets cost?
All tickets for these fixtures will cost £30, plus a £2.50 booking fee.

How many tickets can I purchase?
Up to four tickets can be purchased per account (supporters must be from the same household or support bubble) per match. Please note; personal details provided for ticket holders must be accurate and match photo ID, which all supporters will be required to show upon entry to the stadium. If you are purchasing during one of the ballot priority access windows, all ticket holders on the transaction must also be Season Ticket Holders.

Can I select a specific seat?
Due to the seating restrictions required to safely welcome crowds back into the ground, seats will be allocated automatically to ensure the maximum number of supporters can access the match, whilst ensuring social distancing is maintained between supporters. Social distancing will be in place in all seating areas and supporters must ensure they only sit in the seat allocated to them. Supporters are not permitted to move seats at any time.

How will my ticket be delivered?
All successful applicants will be able to print their tickets at home via their online ticketing account. Please note, in order to enter the ground on matchday, ticket holders will either need to produce a printed version of their ticket, or be able to show their barcode on a mobile phone. The Club will not be posting tickets.

Will the Ticket Office be open on matchday?
The Ticket Office will be open from 11am (vs Wasps) and 12pm (vs Exeter) on matchday, however no tickets for the match will be on sale. Those that have not printed their tickets at home, or are not able to show their barcode on a mobile phone, will be able to have their matchday ticket printed at the Ticket Office for a £5 fee.


MATCHDAY

What should I do if I feel ill before or during the match?
Spectators must not come to Franklin’s Gardens if they are displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, however mild, and/or are required to self isolate. Supporters will be refused entry to the ground should they display any COVID-19 symptoms. If you feel ill after arriving, please return home immediately if you are able – or contact your nearest steward, and you will then be directed to our medical team.

Will social distancing measures be in operation inside the stadium?
Supporters must socially distance and ensure they only sit in the seat allocated to them. Supporters are not permitted to move seats at any time. Stewards and Northampton Saints staff will be on site to ensure social distancing guidelines are followed. In line with our Code of Conduct, any supporters refusing to adhere to the new stadium regulations may be asked to leave. Supporters are advised to read our new Code of Conduct before booking tickets.

What do I need to bring with me on the day to gain entry to the stadium?
Before you leave home, there are FOUR important things you must remember to bring with you.

  1. Match ticket printed on A4 paper or viewable on your smartphone.
  2. Covid-safe confirmation – all attendees will be emailed a form to complete prior to the match, and must be prepared to show a confirmation email either printed out or on your smartphone.
  3. Photo ID – to comply with the government’s Test & Trace laws, your ID must match the name on your ticket/COVID-safe confirmation email.
  4. Face covering to be worn at all times while inside the stadium.

Is parking available at Franklin’s Gardens?
Parking is available in Car Park D at a cost of £5, with only contactless card payment available on the gate on the day. Of course, you can also walk. Please consider carefully your health and social distancing before using public transport.

Anyone who purchased Car Parking for the 2020/21 season at Franklin’s Gardens has already had their pass automatically rolled over to 2021/22, so everyone parking will be required to pay on the gate via contactless card payment.

Car Park D will open at 2.30pm for Saints vs Wasps and 1pm for Saints vs Exeter Chiefs. Please note the gates for entry to the stadium will not open until 3pm and 1.30pm respectively.

Do I need to arrive at a specific time?
No, but please allow sufficient time to reach your seat before kick-off, noting that your entry to Franklin’s Gardens will take longer than usual due to additional safety checks and screening in place. Specific gates for entry, depending on which block your seat is located, will be indicated on all tickets in order to help reduce queuing and maintain social distancing. You will only be permitted to enter the ground via the gate indicated on your ticket.

Will temperature checks be in operation?
Spectators may have their temperature checked by a Steward as they enter the stadium, and anyone displaying any COVID-19 symptoms will, unfortunately, be asked to return home.

Do I have to wear a facemask?
All supporters must wear a facemask at all times at Franklin’s Gardens unless eating or drinking, and should bring their own mask/covering with them.

Will bars / food and drink stalls be open?
A limited number of food and drink outlets will be open. Please remember all will be operating with cashless/contactless payments, but Saints Vouchers will be accepted. Food and drink can only be consumed in your specific matchday seat, and not the bars or supporter village areas. Please return to your seat as soon as you have purchased your food.

Will the Saints Store be open for the match?
Yes, the Saints Store will be open between 10am and 4.30pm for Saints vs Wasps, and 12pm to 3pm for Saints vs Exeter. Please ensure you follow the guidelines and signage within the store, and observe social distancing at all times. Our merchandise trailer will also be open in the Supporter Village.

Will matchday programmes be available to purchase?
No programmes will be available to purchase at Franklin’s Gardens, but all Season Ticket Holders will be emailed a free digital version ahead of the game. Individual printed editions can be ordered online, or for a fixed price supporters can purchase a season-long subscription. For more information, please CLICK HERE.

Can I bring my own food and drink into the stadium?
No – only items purchased at Franklin’s Gardens may be consumed on site.

Can I bring a bag with me to the stadium?
To reduce the time required for entry searches, supporters are discouraged from bringing any bags to the stadium. For those requiring a bag the maximum size permitted is A4. Please note, there are no bag storage facilities available.

Once I am in my seat, can I move to get a drink/use the toilet etc?
If supporters do need to leave their seat during the event, they are to wait for a time when the gangway is clear and always follow the signs/stewards indicating which way to go. When accessing seats it may be necessary to ‘brush past’ other spectators in your row. In this case supporters are asked to face away from the other spectators as they pass.

How and when can I leave the ground after the event?
Spectators must remain in their seats until the end of the game and may be asked to wait in their seats following the final whistle to ensure that social distancing is adhered to while other blocks are released.

To protect the wellbeing of our players and staff, and ensure correct social distancing protocols are observed, there will be no photograph (selfie) or autograph opportunities with Northampton Saints players after the final whistle.


TICKET BALLOT INFORMATION

How do I enter the ballots for Saints vs Wasps and Saints vs Exeter Chiefs if I am an eligible Season Ticket Holder?
Eligible Season Ticket Holders must apply for the ticket ballot via the ballot shop which can be accessed here. A full, step-by-step guide to the application process can be found HERE. Eligible Season Ticket Holders are able to apply for both matches, but must apply for each match separately.

Can I apply for both matches if I am eligible?
Ballots for both the Wasps and Exeter matches will run concurrently and will be subject to the same deadlines. Eligible Season Ticket Holders are able to apply for both matches, but must apply for each match separately. 

As a current Season Ticket Holder, do I automatically get a ticket to attend these fixtures?
Unfortunately, the limited capacity of 4,000 spectators means that we will not be able to welcome all our Season Ticket Holders to Franklin’s Gardens for these matches. The Club expects that demand for tickets will exceed supply – therefore eligible Season Ticket Holders will be contacted on Wednesday 5 May with an invitation and instructions to apply for tickets in an equal-opportunity ballot.

Who can enter the ballot?
Season Ticket Holders who renewed their memberships before the Club initially took them off sale on Thursday 15 October 2020 (and have subsequently had them automatically rolled over to the 2021/22 season) will have priority access to the ballot process.

Those Season Ticket Holders who renewed their memberships following the announcement of the Rollover plan between 19 November 2020 and 31 January 2021 will be eligible for a second ballot, should any tickets remain.

To support the safe delivery of the event and minimise crowd travel, no away supporters will be able to apply for tickets.

How many tickets can I apply for in the ticket ballot?
Season Ticket Holders can apply for up to FOUR tickets in the ticket ballot, but can only apply on behalf of other Season Ticket Holders who are within their household or support bubble. Membership numbers will need to be provided for all names on the application to ensure that only eligible Season Ticket Holders are successful in the ballot.

Please note that each Season Ticket Holder should only apply once. If you are listed on more than one application you may be charged for multiple tickets.

Can I select a specific seat in the Ticket Ballot?
Season Ticket Holders will not be able to request to sit in their usual seat, or any other specific seat, due to the seating restrictions required to safely welcome crowds back into the ground. Seats will be allocated automatically as part of the ticket ballot in order to ensure the maximum number of supporters can access the match, whilst ensuring social distancing is maintained between supporters. Social distancing will be in place in all seating areas and supporters must ensure they only sit in the seat allocated to them. Supporters are not permitted to move seats at any time.

Is access available for the match for disabled supporters?
The ticket ballot is open to all Season Ticket Holders, including those needing disabled access or a wheelchair plus carer ticket. We have allocated a number of wheelchair access seats around the stadium, and those requiring wheelchair access will need to opt to purchase a wheelchair and carer ticket when entering the ballot. We will then allocate suitable seating/wheelchair bays for supporters (and their carers, where required) who are successful.

When is the ticket ballot open and for how long?
The ballot will open on Wednesday 5 May and run through to 12pm on Tuesday 11 May, with the second access window opening after that if any tickets remain on Wednesday 12 May through to 12pm on Wednesday 19 May.

Do all eligible Season Ticket Holders have an equal chance of being successful in the ballot?
Yes! All eligible Season Ticket Holders across all seating categories have an equal opportunity to return to Franklin’s Gardens to watch Saints vs Wasps and Saints vs Exeter. Anyone who enters the ballot will have an equal chance of being successful. There is no advantage to entering the ballot early – but no late entries will be considered.

What happens if I am successful in the ballot?
The ballot will be drawn on the afternoon of Tuesday 11 May and supporters informed of the result within 24 hours. Successful Season Ticket Holders will then be automatically charged for their tickets. The allocated seats cannot be moved/changed, nor can the name of the ticket holder, and there will be no refunds unless the fixture is subsequently cancelled or played behind closed doors.

What happens if the lifting of restrictions changes after I apply for the ballot?
Under the government’s timeline for restrictions to be lifted, supporters are expected to be allowed back into stadiums from Monday 17 May – however should this change during the priority access window, which closes at 12pm on Tuesday 11 May, anyone who has requested a ticket will have their order cancelled and not be charged.

If restrictions change after orders have been processed, you will be automatically refunded the full face value of any tickets purchased via your original payment method.

I was successful in the ballot but can no longer attend the match – what do I do?
If you can no longer attend the match, we request you inform the Club by emailing [email protected] as soon as possible.

Can I transfer my ticket to another Season Ticket Holder/supporter if I can no longer attend?
No. In line with the government’s Test and Trace guidelines, the named owner of the ticket must be attending the match. The transfer of tickets is strictly forbidden. Named photographic ID must be shown on entry and must match the name on the ticket.

Is my ticket refundable if I can no longer attend the match?
Once purchased, the tickets are non-refundable (unless the event is cancelled or you develop COVID-19 symptoms, see question below) as the Club will be unable to reallocate tickets to other supporters ahead of the fixture.

What happens if I am successful in the ballot, but then test positive for COVID-19, begin to display symptoms or am instructed by NHS Test and Trace to self-isolate?
Any supporter who, after purchasing a ticket, subsequently tests positive for COVID-19, is contacted by NHS Test and Trace advising them to self-isolate, or who shows any symptoms of COVID-19, must NOT attend the match or transfer their tickets to another supporter. We request you inform the Club by emailing [email protected] as soon as possible and we will discuss options with you.

How will my ticket be delivered?
All successful applicants will be able to print their tickets at home via their online ticketing account. Please note, in order to enter the ground on matchday, ticket holders will either need to produce a printed version of their ticket, or be able to show their barcode on a mobile phone. The Club will not be posting tickets.

Will I be able to use the Ticket Credit I claimed back from the Club towards the cost of my ticket?
Yes; a full, step-by-step guide to the application process can be found HERE.

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