Press Release from the club below:
Sunderland AFC season card holders will be able to enjoy a price freeze and in some areas price reductions at the Stadium of Light next season.
The Black Cats have confirmed season card details for 2013-14, with supporters renewing an existing seat or purchasing a new season card for next season’s campaign able to do so at the same price or less than they paid for their seat this season.
The cost of a season card in the stadium’s popular Family Zone has been reduced, with an adult and junior (under 16) season card package now only £425 – a saving of £300 over purchasing tickets on a game by game basis. A family season card, consisting of two adults and two juniors, is also available at £850, affording a huge saving of £600 over buying tickets for individual games. Additional children can also be added to these packages for just £25 each.
Standard season card prices in the Strongbow North Stand have been reduced by almost 10% and prices across all other areas of the stadium have been frozen at last year’s prices. Adult seats available from £400, young people under 22 from £280 and over 65s £300. Juniors under the age of 16 are priced at just £99 (in all areas of the stadium, with the exception of the special Family Zone packages) for a whole season of top flight football – just over £5 a game.
The deadline to sign up and enjoy price freezes and reductions on 2013-14 season cards is Friday 5th April, 2013.
As well as price freezes and reductions, the club will continue to give season card holders exclusive access to SAFC Rewards, a scheme offering a wide range of discounts and offers.
Sunderland AFC Chairman Ellis Short said: “I feel an immense sense of pride every time the team runs out at the Stadium of Light. To see the vast sea of red and white and hear the noise that greets opposition teams is, in my opinion, what makes Sunderland such a special football club.
“We continue to make positive and sustainable progress together – fans, club, players and of course Martin – and I hope that supporters can see and appreciate the strides that are being made, both on and off the pitch. Everything we do is with the aim of making Sunderland a success for the fans, whose loyalty, support, passion and love for their football club so richly deserves reward. It is my desire to give everyone a football club to be proud of, just as it is Martin’s desire to give the fans a team to be proud of and with the tremendous backing of our supporters I firmly believe that anything is possible.”
Chief Executive Margaret Byrne added: “Our supporters have been truly amazing this season, turning out in huge numbers, week in, week out. It is something we hugely appreciate, but never take for granted. A thriving, vibrant Stadium of Light is vital to the club’s continued growth and by freezing prices and indeed reducing the price of seats in some areas, we hope that our fans will be able to continue to enjoy attending matches.
“Encouraging the next generation of Sunderland fans is one of our key aims, particularly in our Family Zone, which has seen significant price reductions for next season. We have also continued to look at ways in which our overall season card package can be enhanced to give supporters even greater value for money. As well as making significant savings on buying tickets on a game by game basis, season card holders will continue to enjoy a host of benefits and money saving offers with our SAFC Rewards scheme, which has gone from strength to strength since its launch last year.”
“Of course it is always a challenge to find a balance between offering supporters realistic prices, whilst maintaining the level of revenue the club needs to continue its development, but this is something we are firmly committed to. I hope supporters will agree that our pricing structure for next season achieves that aim.”
EASY PAYMENT
Supporters can spread the cost of their season card over eight months, at no additional cost, through the club’s direct debit scheme. This is available to those renewing an existing seat or buying a new season card before 5pm, Friday 5th April, 2013.
DISCOUNTED MATCHDAY TRAVEL
Season card holders can take advantage of the ‘Wear On Our Way’ travel pass, in association with Network One. The special pass costs just £20 for the entire 2013-14 season and includes travel to and from all home Barclays Premier League and cup games at the Stadium of Light, from anywhere in Tyne and Wear, up to three hours before and three hours after the match.
SAFC REWARDS
A raft of additional benefits are afforded to season card holders with the exclusive SAFC Rewards scheme. The scheme gives season card holders hundreds of pounds worth of discounts, incentives and special offers. Further details will be available at www.safcrewards.com throughout the season.
DEADLINE
Supporters can take advantage of the special purchase prices from Monday 4th March and the deadline to renew existing seats or to purchase a new season card at the special prices is 5pm, Friday 5th April, 2013.
Existing season card holders are also reminded that their current seat will not be held after the April 5th deadline and the direct debit payment scheme will no longer be available after this date.
HOW TO BUY
Existing season card holders will be sent renewal information by post in early March. Supporters are asked to read their packs carefully to check if they are included on the automatic direct debit scheme or if they need to re-apply.
Online renewals and new purchases by credit/debit card can also be made via the club’s official website, www.safc.com.
2013-14 SEASON CARD PRICES AND SAVINGS, VALID UNTIL 5PM, FRIDAY 5 APRIL, 2013.
Family Zone
Adult & child (U16) £425
Two adults & two children (U16) £850
Additional children £25
Concession Areas
Under 16s £99
Under 22s £280
Over 65s £300
Adult £400
West / East Stand & Premier Concourse Wings
Under 16s £99
Under 22s £280
Over 65s £300
Adult £485
Strongbow North Stand
Adult £400
West & East Stand & Premier Concourse Centre
Adult £525
* Under 12s tickets are not available in the South Stand ‘singing area’
Black Cats Bar (includes food and private bar facilities) Adult £825
2013-14 MATCH TICKET PRICES
Games are categorised into three price bands, Category A, B and C.
Adult seats for Category A games are priced between £32 and £40, Category B £27-£35 and Category C £25-£30. Under 16s match tickets range from £10 to £15 depending on the category of game.
Further information is available at www.safc.com by telephone, 0871 911 1973 or in-person at the Stadium of Light ticket office.