SUPPORTERS FEAR END OF FANCARD & HELLO BARCODE
TICKET books and stubs as a memento of a day out at the football have long been a thing of the past at most grounds up and down the country.
But now even the humble fancard is being consigned to history.
Whether you go to the cinema or to Anfield, now only the barcode will greet you as your ticket to an afternoon’s entertainment.
You’re going to need a smartphone to use it as well – which is a big concern for supporter groups.
They are worried that fans who don’t use smartphones – particularly elderly supporters – are being left behind.
Fans going to Premier League games this weekend will get a taste of the future after technology made its debut in pre-season.
Manchester United and Everton are among the clubs whose fan will gain entry to their stadiums this weekend using NFC tickets – near-field communication – which must be downloaded to a smartphone and contactlessly scanned at the gates for entry.
More than half of the top-flight clubs have embraced the technology, and more are set to follow, with the Premier League encouraging its stakeholders to adopt the system.
They expect the move to NFC tickets to reduce the amount of touchpoints in stadiums in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, and to help clamp down on touting. Supporter groups insist they are liaising regularly with clubs to ensure no fans are left behind, and they are sure to receive plenty of feedback this weekend as the rollout of NFC tickets gets under way.
As they look to avoid causing issues for sections of their support unable to use the new technology, many clubs are still offering alternative methods of entry, but all plan to do away entirely with non-NFC tickets in the long term.
That would see the end of print-at-home tickets and plastic photocards – a move that will help the Premier League reduce its carbon footprint.
Of course, this transition to new technology has not been without issues, as Liverpool have found out.
Their recent backto-back Anfield friendlies against Athletic
Bilbao and Osasuna were delayed by 15 and 30 minutes respectively due to problems with supporters entering the ground.
Liverpool have since issued an apology and vowed to conduct a full review, but have little time to iron out kinks before their first home game of the season, against Burnley next Saturday.
But there is no intention to revert to previous methods of entry, as the Premier League marches on to a new, ticketless future.
As for the fancard, pop it in a drawer. You can show the grandkids in years to come.
Goodbye, old friend.