As the club prepare for the potential return of supporters to the stadium, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions that fans may have.
Please see questions below:
When will we move to socially distanced crowds, what will be our capacity at the Banks’s Stadium?
As it stands, no firm date has been confirmed for supporters to return. Prime Minister Boris Johnson earmarked the 1st October as a possible date for the return of socially-distanced crowds.
The overall capacity will be in the region of 3,200 – 3,300.
Given the reduced capacity, are season ticket holders guaranteed to be allocated the exact seats they have requested? If not, where will I sit?
Supporters who purchased a season ticket during Early Bird, have been allocated a seat as close to their season ticket seat as possible, usually within the same block or stand, however on occasion we have had to allocate a comparable view (e.g. Behind the goal or side view).
Season Ticket holders will be able to view your seat numbers by logging into www.eticketing.co.uk/walsallfc. More information on how to log in to the e-ticketing site will be communicated over the next few days.
The season tickets that will be available from Monday will be a very limited number in the upper and middle of the HomeServe stand, as well as specific blocks within the St Francis Group stand and the University of Wolverhampton stand.
Can I buy a season ticket?
Yes, season tickets will be back on sale from Monday 7th September. We have in the region of 750 season tickets to sell so we urge supporters to buy early to avoid disappointment.
Is buying a season ticket the best way to guarantee watching the Saddlers during the 2020-21 season?
Due to the limited capacity, purchasing a season ticket is likely to be the only way you can guarantee watching the Saddlers live during the 2020/21 campaign and we encourage fans to buy early to avoid disappointment when they go on sale on Monday 7th September.
What about Swifty's Squad u12s season tickets?
The free u12s Swifty's Squad ticket was during the Early Bird campaign and as it looks unlikely we will have matchday sales, we have put a nominal charge of £50 per u12 with an adult season ticket due to the limited capacities we are working with.
Will anyone buying in this period still get access to the BCD games on iFollow?
Supporters who purchase a season ticket in the reloaded period will still get free access to Behind Closed Doors home league games.
However, if you wish to watch our first home league game against Grimsby Town, you will need to purchase in advance of the fixture. We will not be able to compensate for missed fixtures for season tickets purchased after certain games.
When will I get my season ticket book?
Season Ticket books will be ready in good time for when we can welcome socially distanced crowds. We will communicate to supporters as soon as they are ready to collect which we anticipate will be around the end of September.
What can supporters expect when they visit the stadium in terms of changes?
Supporters can expect a safe environment at the Banks’s Stadium. Staff will be in masks and we will have a track and trace system in place. Social distancing measures will be in place.
Where will I enter the stadium?
Rather than the traditional turnstiles, we plan to open all the gates around the stadium and create a Catering Village on the Red Zone Car Park that will be accessible for all supporters.
Supporters will produce their season ticket at the various gated entrance points to gain entrance into the inner footprint of the Stadium where they will be able to purchase food and drink and safely enter and exit the Stadium in a controlled manner.
In terms of leaving the stadium, we plan to do this stand by stand to help maintain social distancing.
Am I required to wear a mask inside the stadium?
All staff will be wearing masks around the stadium and we encourage supporters to also wear masks where possible. Please see our Mask policy below:
FACE COVERINGS POLICY
It is expected that the same policy will apply to social distanced matches as applied during behind closed doors matches.
The use of face coverings by staff will be required at all times by staff in all zones of the stadium at all times as detailed in the “EFL MATCHDAY OPERATIONS GUIDANCE’
The following individuals wear a (non-surgical) face covering while located in the Stadium:
a. All Matchday Personnel, save for Match Officials
b. All Players and Football Staff, save for those Players and Staff members who will be present on the Club’s trainers’ bench during the League Match, in accordance with Regulation
34.1
All paramedics should wear FFP3 and physios and doctors should have this available in their run on emergency bags.
This will include:
Car park staff when talking to drivers in vehicles.
When checking individuals on entry and directing to seats and facilities.
What about hospitality, are we still able to offer hospitality passes as a club?
In similar fashion to the stadium, we have to maintain strict social distancing in the hospitality areas.
We do plan to offer a Hospitality Season Ticket that will give them access to a two-course meal in the Bonser Suite for every game they attend.
Current season ticket holders can upgrade their season ticket to a hospitality – please contact the Ticket Office to do so.
There will be around 100 hospitality season tickets available so book early to avoid disappointment.
I am an 1888 member; will I be able to access the lounge on a matchday?
The 1888 Lounge will be open for members but strict social distancing measures will be in place.
What if I have purchased a Savoy Lounge Pass for the season?
Unfortunately, under the current guidelines and after carrying out various capacity assessments we are unable to offer access to the Savoy Lounge as we have done previously.
Anyone who has purchased a Savoy Lounge pass for the 2020/21 season will be given a refund by contacting the Ticket Office.
Alternatively, if you are interested in the Hospitality Season Ticket then we are offering a further discount on the RRP to current to Savoy Lounge Passholders. Please contact the Ticket Office or contact our Commercial Manager Alex Smith – alex.smith@walsallfc.co.uk
Will the Stadium Suite be open on matchdays?
We are currently looking into this area so we cannot confirm in what capacity the Stadium Suite open at present. We will communicate with supporters as and when we know for sure.
Will the new Community Hub be open?
Sadly, we will not be able to open the Community Hub as it is currently being used as the away dressing room. However, as social distancing measures reduce, we hope to have this facility available.
Will the kiosks be open and will I be able to purchase refreshments at the stadium?
The kiosks at the corners of each stand will not be open on matchdays as we require that space to manage and egress in to the toilets. We will however have a Catering Village outside the stadium in the Red Zone Car Park where supporters will be able to buy drinks, snacks or alcoholic drinks, subject to Local Authority approval, before the match and at half time.
Will I still be able to park at the stadium?
Parking is still available however we have a limited capacity. Please contact the ticket office – 01922 651 416 who will be able to guide you further on parking.
Will I be able to buy a mascot package?
Unfortunately, under government and EFL guidelines, we will not be able to sell mascot packages in their current form until further notice. We are looking at virtual mascot packages and will release information in due course.
What about ball boys?
Again, we are also unable to have ball boys in at present but we hope this will change and we will communicate with supporters as and when it does.
Will the iFollow offering continue beyond the behind closed doors matches?
Matches will not be broadcast live on iFollow domestically once crowds are permitted back into stadiums.
Overseas supporters will be able to access matches as they have done in previous seasons.
For FAQs regarding iFollow, please refer to our previous FAQs article here.