Arsenal vs Rapid Vienna tickets to be sold to fans on ‘first come, first served’ basis

 (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)

Arsenal have confirmed they will welcome back 2,000 fans for next week’s Europa League match against Rapid Vienna, with tickets sold on a “first come, first served” basis.

The Gunners are able to host supporters again after the Government announced on Thursday that London was in Tier 2 of the latest Covid-19 guideline.

That means Arsenal are allowed to host 2,000 fans at matches going forward from December 2.

The first game back at Emirates Stadium will be the Gunners’ Europa League match against Rapid Vienna on December 3.

Arsenal plan to run a ballot for tickets going forward, but that will not be the case for this first game.

For this match only, Arsenal will be running a “first come, first served” priority sale to Gold and Premium Members who made their Initial Payment and registered for the ballot in September.

Arsenal are not running a ballot for the Vienna match for various reasons.

“The different restrictions and guidelines for Uefa matches, coupled with the short timeframe to provide and receive information from our fans, would have ultimately created too many complications and a risk of confusion and disappointment for supporters,” said the club in a statement on Thursday.

“The UK Government confirmed that fans would be allowed to return to stadia, subject to the venue’s COVID Tier Status, on Monday, November 23. London’s COVID Tier 2 Status was only confirmed on Thursday, November 26.

“This was too short a turnaround time to provide and receive information from fans if we were running a ballot process.

“Our priority is to run a high quality and safe event, while welcoming fans back to Emirates Stadium at the earliest opportunity. On this basis, we will run a Priority Sale for the Rapid Vienna game as a one-off.”

This priority sale will open at 9am GMT on Saturday, November 28. All those who are eligible to purchase tickets will be sent an email with all details.

Only certain areas of the stadium will be open while Arsenal operate at such a significantly reduced capacity.

Tickets will be capped at four per booking and supporters must have a membership number for each ticket they purchase.

Tickets for the Vienna game in the lower tier will cost £15 or £7.40 for disabled supporters, while club level is priced at £45 or £22.50 for disabled supporters.

Gold members will only be able to purchase tickets in the lower tier, while Premium members will only be able to purchase tickets in Club Level.

Ticket prices are based on the equivalent season ticket match-by-match pricing for the relevant category of game.

<p>Mikel Arteta has been vocal in saying how much he wants fans to return.</p>Getty Images

Mikel Arteta has been vocal in saying how much he wants fans to return.

Getty Images

Uefa regulations stipulate that all seats must be socially distanced, even for fans who attend with other members of their household or support bubble.

Due to the size of the seats, this means there will be up to two seats between occupied seats in the lower tier, and one seat between occupied seats on Club Level.

For Arsenal’s game with Burnley on December 13, they will hold a ballot and this will be the process going forward too.

The club say more information on the balloting process for this fixture, and for future 20/21 fixtures, will follow early next week.

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