Mandatory Premier League Digital Ticketing by 2026/27
Aston Villa’s switch over to digital ticketing this season was triggered by the Premier League’s Annual General Meeting in June, where clubs unanimously agreed to the phased introduction of digital ticketing requirements, starting this season and culminating in mandatory adoption by the 2026/27 season. By then, all existing Premier League clubs must have transitioned entirely to digital ticketing. Newly promoted clubs will have a two-year grace period to comply.
As we saw with the difficulties encountered at the first Villa home game of this season against Arsenal, its introduction was a bit of rushed and under-realised process, which ultimately led to significant delays. From a supporter point-of-view, there was always going to be an education process and a matter of getting used to the routine of using digital tickets. MOMS had proposed to the club – via the Villa FAB – to both create a ‘how to use’ educational video and have stewards/helpers about 10 to 20 places from the front of the turnstiles to assist fans and get them ready for a smooth passage through the turnstiles. This idea was eventually taken up in later home games (you may have spotted the stewards/helpers in pink hi-vis bibs).
As many people will attest to, digital ticketing has worked fine for other sports, and the Premier League’s motivation is to streamline the sale, transfer, and use of match tickets, enhancing security, efficiency and control for clubs. The league’s new requirements aim to standardise ticketing across all clubs for both home and away matches.
What Is Digital Ticketing?
Digital tickets are electronically delivered, usually to a mobile device. They are linked to a registered supporter and use advanced security features like hidden or rotating barcodes to prevent misuse and illegal touting.
The switch to digital ticketing will offer several benefits, including:
- Efficient ticket sales and delivery
- Solutions for lost or damaged tickets
- Facilitation of dynamic ticket transfer schemes
From the 2026/27 season, digital tickets will replace paper tickets, print-at-home options, and plastic cards. Clubs will also operate home ticket transfer schemes exclusively through digital platforms for authorised resale.
Further details on the new digital ticketing requirements can be found under Section R of the Premier League Handbook.
Will Fans Be Required to Use Digital Tickets?
Under the new rules, all season tickets and home and away match tickets will default to digital formats. However, clubs will retain discretion to offer alternative formats for supporters with legitimate needs, such as:
- Disabilities that make digital tickets impractical
- Group bookings (e.g., school trips or community partners)
Clubs will work with supporters’ representatives to develop appropriate policies and exemptions.
Combating Ticket Touting and Fraud
Digital ticketing will also play a crucial role in the Premier League’s efforts to combat illegal ticket touting and fraud. New initiatives are being developed to address touting and prevent scams such as fake ticket websites.
Villa Supporters Ticketing Survey
The Villa FAB will try to make sure that the club communicate ticketing changes to supporters more clearly than perhaps they have done so in the past. The FAB is currently focusing on working with the club to improve the whole ticketing experience for fans – from the availability of the ticketing phone line to improving the transferring of tickets online.
As part of the research into this, supporters are encouraged to fill in the Villa FAB’s ticketing survey to get their views across to help the process and make sure there are vast improvements in the club’s ticketing system come the start of the 2025/26 season.
You can fill in the Ticketing Survey here
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