Hearts entice fans with Hibs semi-final guarantee as they launch discounted 2020/21 season tickets

Hearts have put season tickets on sale for the 2020/21 campaign.

Hearts today launched season ticket sales for the 2020/21 campaign offering fans a guaranteed ticket for the Scottish Cup semi-final against Hibs at Hampden Park as well as ten per cent discount.

Supporters who buy a seat for next season will secure their place at this year’s all-Edinburgh semi in the process, although when that tie is played remains unclear due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Tynecastle owner Ann Budge is bringing costs down by ten per cent from last year as the possibility of relegation looms over her club. The pricing plan for season 2020/21 ranges from £295 for adults in bronze seating areas up to £450 in platinum zones.

Hearts posted a statement alongside the new pricing structure stating they need fans’ support but adding that supporters will be given time to deliberate given the uncertainty over which league the club will occupy next season.

Incentives to buy a seat include the ticket for Hampden, 50 per cent discount on function suite hire at Tynecastle, exclusive monthly offers for the Hearts shop, an invite to a Tynecastle open day and first-team training session, plus 20 loyalty points.

The club statement read: “Normally, it is around this time of year when supporters can expect the club to launch its latest season ticket campaign – slick videos with drone footage of Tynecastle Park and fans celebrating, clever marketing slogans and specially crafted hashtags for social media.

“This, however, is no normal year. Not for football, not for the world as a whole.

“We find ourselves in an unprecedented situation where a global pandemic is already affecting everyone’s lives. A knock-on effect of this pandemic is the suspension of domestic football in Scotland, which has led to speculation and uncertainty.

“As we all know details on how or when this season will be concluded and when next season will start have not yet been agreed. We do not even know if Hearts will be a Premiership or Championship club in 2020/21.

“One thing we do know, however, is that once again the club needs your support.

“Despite the total lack of clarity surrounding football a number of you have asked to support the club and renew your season tickets, this is why we have decided to put season tickets for the 2020/21 campaign on sale today.

“We are doing this, while fully recognising that in these uncertain times many supporters will have a big decision to make in terms of not just how, but indeed whether, they can continue to support their team next season.

“In some leagues, broadcast income provides the main source of revenue for clubs. In Scotland, however, ticket sales are and likely always will be, the largest source of income for our clubs. We all rely heavily on season ticket renewals/purchases to balance the books.

“So the big challenge facing us now, is how can we try to balance the club’s need for season ticket income with the uncertainties facing our supporters?

“To try to find some balance, we have looked at pricing and at how we can make it as easy as possible for our supporters to help us.

Pricing

· Firstly, for current season ticket holders, we are implementing a 10% reduction across the board, on all season ticket prices. This will hopefully go some way to compensating for losing the last 3 games of this season, while also allowing for the possibility of relegation.

To be absolutely clear, when, and if, the 19/20 season resumes then 19/20 season tickets will, of course, still be valid for the remainder of this season’s fixtures.

· Secondly, we know there are supporters who may not presently be season ticket holders, but who wish to buy one for next season to help the Club. For non-season ticket holders, we are, therefore also offering a discount. New season ticket holders will receive a 5% discount on 19/20 pricing.

Rest assured this will not impact on existing season ticket holders. Only unoccupied seats (based on the 2019/20 season) will be released for sale at this time. So, if you are an existing season ticket holder but are unable to renew immediately, please don’t worry, you will not lose your seat.

Those who are not current season ticket holders, but wish to join us at Tynecastle next season, should email [email protected] and one of our ticket office staff will get in touch to discuss availability and options.

· As well as the reduction on all prices, we have once again done our utmost to keep the cost as low as possible for our youngest supporters.

Young Jambos are the future of our great club and, following this dreadful time, we want to see as many families as possible return to Tynecastle Park when it is safe to do so. At just £50, our cheapest U13 season ticket is amongst the best value in the league and we hope this price will encourage even more families to join us for the 2020/21 campaign.

Help with season ticket purchases

· Given these challenging times we absolutely understand that some existing season ticket holders, although wishing to do so, may simply not be able to commit to renewing their season tickets at this time. The renewal phase will, therefore, be open from now until Monday, June 8th to give everyone as much time as possible to join us for the 2020/21 season.

· As in previous years we will, of course, offer supporters the chance to spread the cost of their season ticket via a repayment plan. We are working with our new finance provider, V12, to get the best possible terms for those supporters who want/need to spread their payments. This option will be available to supporters later this week.

Change from previous seasons

· Due to the uncertainty surrounding which league we will be competing in next season, we are not able to make Category B season tickets available for sale at this time. Once there is clarity on the 2020/21 season, the club will examine the possibility of reintroducing these season tickets. For those Category B season ticket holders who may wish to upgrade for this season, you can do so by emailing [email protected].

“These are testing times for everyone. The Foundation of Hearts’ mantra has long been to ‘pledge what you can afford’ and that is what we are asking you to do here; if you can afford to do so then please renew your season ticket for season 2020/21. By doing so you will be helping enormously to ensure that when things return to some level of normality, the oldest football team in Edinburgh will be here to welcome you back with open arms.

“If, having read this, you have any concerns about not being able to secure your 2020/21 season ticket because of this unprecedented situation then do please talk to us. Email [email protected] and let us figure out a way in which we can assist you.

“With your continued and unparalleled backing, we will forever be, Always Hearts.”

Hearts’ 2020/21 season tickets can be purchased by clicking here: Hearts 2020/21

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