Saints have ensured that the priority for the 8,000 tickets for the visit of Leeds United will be fairly distributed with priority given to both those who have held season tickets the longest, but also to those who did not attend any of the two games back in December.
Quite rightly the club have prioritised the allocation of tickets for the Leeds United game rather than make it a free for all ballot.
Those that had been lucky in the ballot for the West Ham game in December that saw fans again banned will be guaranteed a ticket as will the small group of fans who qualified for the loyalty groups back then.
After that the club will sell in a strict order starting with those who have held season tickets since 2014/15 and not attended a game yet this season and then in descending order, by season.
After that any remaining tickets will be sold to those that did attend one of the two games back in December.
It is a little bit long winded and the club will be e mailing fans to let them know when there window to buy tickets will open.
For information I have published the Club's press release below.
Southampton Football Club is delighted to confirm that fans will return to St Mary’s for the Premier League fixture against Leeds United on Tuesday 18th May, kick-off at 6pm, subject to government confirmation — find out who is eligible to buy tickets and the purchasing process below.
Due to government restrictions, around 8,000 tickets will be available for the match to ensure the safety and wellbeing of supporters and staff at St Mary's - we have been working on a number of measures and changes designed to keep everyone safe.
The attendance of supporters at this match is subject to the government confirming that we move into Step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown. The club will notify fans if government guidance around fans returning to St Mary’s changes.
Priority for purchasing tickets will be given to supporters that bought a 2020/21 Season Ticket, regardless of whether they have claimed a refund or kept a credit on their ticketing account.
To ensure that all Season Ticket holders have a fair opportunity to attend a match this season, supporters that had been due to attend the West Ham United fixture in December will be given priority access to buy tickets, with Season Ticket holders that have not yet attended a fixture this season then given priority over fans that have already attended a game.
Eligible Season Ticket holders are able to purchase tickets regardless of whether they had previously informed the club that they were unable to attend fixtures during December as we understand that supporters’ circumstances may now have changed.
Return to St Mary's
Tickets will be sold to groups in the following order to ensure that all 2020/21 Season Ticket holders are given a fair opportunity to attend a match at St Mary’s this season:
Monday 10th May at 9.30am — Season Ticket holders that had been selected in the previous ballot to attend the West Ham United fixture on Tuesday 29th December, including long-standing Season Ticket holders that had been allocated in priority groups.
Tuesday 11th May at 9.30am — Supporters that have held a Season Ticket consecutively since 2014/15 and have not attended a reduced capacity match in 2020/21.
Wednesday 12th May at 9.30am — Supporters that have held a Season Ticket consecutively since 2015/16 and have not attended a reduced capacity match in 2020/21.
Wednesday 12th May at 11.30am — Supporters that have held a Season Ticket consecutively since 2016/17 and have not attended a reduced capacity match in 2020/21.
Wednesday 12th May at 1.30pm — Supporters that have held a Season Ticket consecutively since 2017/18 and have not attended a reduced capacity match in 2020/21.
Wednesday 12th May at 3.30pm — Supporters that have held a Season Ticket consecutively since 2018/19 and have not attended a reduced capacity match in 2020/21.
Thursday 13th May at 9.30am — Supporters that have held a Season Ticket consecutively since 2019/20 and have not attended a reduced capacity match in 2020/21.
Thursday 13th May at 11.30am — New Season Ticket holders in 2020/21 that have not attended a match this season.
Thursday 13th May at 1.30pm — Season Ticket holders that have attended a match during the 2020/21 season.
All Season Ticket holders will be emailed directly to confirm which of the above categories applies to them.