The club has moved to update supporters on plans to place 2020/21 ‘City For All’ season tickets back on sale.
City officials have been working closely with the local Safety Advisory Group, and the EFL, in an effort to offer the most feasible and practical method for supporters to enjoy as much of the coming campaign as possible.
With strict social-distancing measures and COVID-19 restrictions set to remain in place for the foreseeable future, the club has formulated a potential package which would enable supporters to catch each of the Bantams’ 2020/21 Sky Bet League Two home fixtures - for no more than £150.
Following discussions with various organisations, the Utilita Energy Stadium’s capacity - if and when government legislation enables supporters to be admitted back into sporting venues - is likely to be reduced to approximately 7,000.
This proposal would see the JCT600 Stand, the North West Corner, The Kop, The Mamma Mia Stand and the TL Dallas Stand in use.
Plans have, as a result, been put in place which could see ‘City For All’ 2020/21 season tickets back on sale in the coming weeks. Those purchasing a season ticket would be able to attend approximately half of City’s 2020/21 remaining home Sky Bet League Two fixtures.
The club hopes to include an iFollow season pass within the new-look package, enabling supporters to watch at least all of the Bantams’ home Sky Bet League Two matches - live from the comfort of their own home.
But this will be subject to ongoing conversations between the sport’s governing bodies and the relevant broadcasters.
Based on 2019/20 ‘Our City’ season-ticket sales, it has been decided that season tickets would be split into two categories - following the upcoming sales period: ‘Claret’ and ‘Amber’.
City’s remaining 2020/21 Sky Bet League Two home fixtures would then be divided as evenly as possible and categorised as either ‘Claret’ or ‘Amber’ - meaning only those with that respective ‘City For All’ season ticket would be admitted attendance.
Should these plans come into effect, supporters would have the option to renew 'City For All' season tickets in the seat they occupied during the 2019/20 campaign.
The club would be unable to guarantee any supporter any seat inside the Utilita Energy Stadium, due to social-distancing restrictions, and so would then allocate each supporter a seat from the point of purchase.
With the Utilita Energy Stadium’s capacity set at approximately 7,000 for the foreseeable future, it is a possibility that individual match tickets could then be made available for each home league fixture - on a game-by-game basis - should season-ticket sales figures prove lower than they were ahead of the 2019/20 campaign (approximately 13,800).
Should government legislation change to the point where supporters are unable to attend live sporting fixtures for the entirety of the 2020/21 campaign, there is a possibility that a ‘City For All’ 2020/21 season ticket would only provide a streaming option.
City’s director of communications and commercial, Ryan Sparks, said: “We have been working extremely hard over the past couple of months in a bid to piece together a viable - and what we believe is a fair - season-ticket offering, ahead of the 2020/21 campaign.
“It goes without saying that next season will be one like no other and, given the restrictions we are working around, will present logistical challenges for clubs around the world which have never before been faced.
“From the outset, we have been committed to presenting a package which offers as much as possible, while maintaining affordable pricing in these hugely uncertain times.
“We would like nothing more than to welcome everyone back into the Utilita Energy Stadium as soon as possible, though, given the measures currently in place, it will be a case of taking things step by step as more information becomes available to us.
“Should everything become agreed, as we hope it will be, at least all of our home Sky Bet League Two fixtures will be able to be viewed via iFollow.
“However, we must stress that these conversations are now beyond EFL clubs and rest firmly in the hands of the EFL itself.
“We apologise for any inconvenience caused and recognise that this potential package will not please everyone. However, while maintaining our current pricing structure, we believe this delivers as fair of an offering as currently possible.
“As the season progresses and COVID-19 guidelines are continuously reviewed, we hope to be in a position to welcome more and more supporters back to games at the Utilita Energy Stadium - on a regular basis.
“The coming seven days will prove pivotal with regards to this proposal, and we hope to be able to bring you a confirmed and complete package as soon as possible.”
All of the above information - and the potential package on offer - is entirely subject to further clarification being received over the coming days.
Should COVID-19 restrictions be lifted to the point where all season-ticket holders are able to be housed in the Utilita Energy Stadium at any one time (approximately 14,000), the club understands any potential iFollow streaming pass would then be revoked.
iFollow passes would only remain part of this potential season-ticket package in lieu of supporters being able to attend all home fixtures.
The club will endeavour to update supporters on all future developments with regards to 2020/21 ‘City For All’ season tickets as soon as possible.
If you have already purchased a 'City For All' season ticket, this will be honoured and you would receive the proposed, aforementioned package.
PLEASE NOTE: At the point of 2020/21 ‘City For All’ season tickets going back on sale, a comprehensive Frequently Asked Questions page will be published on the club’s official website, answering all queries on the above while clarifying further details.