By Daniel Fitzsimmons, Chartered Legal Executive at Donoghue Solicitors
If I told you there was a way to watch Liverpool FC at Anfield for only £9 a ticket you’d think I was pulling your leg. Individual matchday tickets cost upwards of £59 in the new Main Stand. Demand for tickets is strong, even at this price, helped by Liverpool’s participation in the Champions League and entertaining style of football. Some fans pay upwards of £869 for a season ticket and they’re the lucky ones. Season tickets are rarer than hen’s teeth. They are often passed down from generation to generation like treasured family heirlooms. People travel from all over the world to see the reds live. They pay thousands for travel packages which include precious match tickets.
I can understand the appeal. As a life-long Liverpool FC fan I have always enjoyed watching my team live. Nothing beats the excitement and atmosphere on match day. From the spine-tingling “You’ll never walk alone” to the pre- and post- match amateur punditry in The Albert next door, getting a ticket to the game means a day of football hedonism.
But as an engaged father of a young daughter, with a second child due shortly, my financial and personal priorities lay elsewhere. It’s cheaper and easier to watch the game with friends in the pub or at home instead.
Local General Sale Tickets
That’s why I was thrilled when Liverpool FC introduced the Local General sale scheme. It was created in response to concerns that local and younger fans were being priced out of the game. People within “L” postcodes can apply for up to 4 tickets for every home Premier League and cup game. (Cup games include the Champions League.) Liverpool FC release 10,000 tickets through the scheme over the season.
I signed up via the club’s website and have since been to a few games. For my £9 I get a seat in the Upper Tier of the Main Stand. It may be “in the gods” but I have no complaints. The new Main Stand opened last year and is modern, clean, and spacious. It’s a much nicer place to be than the old stand. Concession booths are everywhere, so queues for the essential pre-match pie and pint are short. Seats are comfortable enough with good legroom. The seats offer “restricted” views, but this means that only a small part of the pitch is hidden. (It’s near the Kop end corner flag, so I miss the corner taker kicking the ball. No big deal.)
Everything else is the same as for my fellow fans in the Main Stand. My experience is all the sweeter knowing that those around me paid at least 6 times as much for their tickets. Everyone loves a bargain. Me included! Follow these simple steps and join me cheering on The Reds this season.
HOW TO GET £9 LFC TICKETS
1. Register on the ticketing database at https://tickets.liverpoolfc.com/ to buy tickets. Do this at least 3 days before tickets go on sale for the game you want.
2. Check when tickets go on Local General Sale at: http://www.liverpoolfc.com/tickets/tickets-availability. It’s usually a week before matchday. Demand is high, and subject to availability, so diarise the date and time to make sure you don’t miss out. Buy your ticket(s) online.
3. Collect ticket(s) from the ticket office at Anfield 3 working days before the game. Take:
• Proof that you live within an ‘L’ postcode address; this can be in the form of a utility bill but photocopies will not be accepted.
• Payment card used to buy the ticket(s)
AND one of the following:
• Driver’s Licence
• Passport
4. Enjoy the game!
Published 22 September 2017