Major Celtic Season Ticket Renewal Breakthrough

Celtic now have one big stumbling block removed with regards to season ticket renewals and could now be set to roll out the new campaign in the next three weeks.

The biggest thing holding the club back was the uncertainty of what they could offer from a Celtic Pass point of view. The SPFL and Sky Sports came to a one-off agreement for clubs to show their home games to season ticket holders throughout this season.

No such deal was in place for next term, but today it’s been announced this deal can continue and goes further with clubs also allowed to sell PPV rights if they wish to any SPFL game not shown on Sky.

We have no idea when fans are going to be allowed into stadiums in large numbers but now clubs know they have something tangible to offer fans outwith the uncertainty of entry into the stadium

Celtic fans have been short changed this season, paying hundreds and even thousands of pounds for a second rate 90-second delayed stream.

The goal is to get fans inside the ground but the renewal period around the country will begin now.

Celtic will know they won’t see a clamour of renewals until there’s a new management team appointed, so it would be who of them to get that deal done and head out to the Celtic support with their pitch for next season.

The pass really needs to be looked at and upgraded if we are still going to be watching from afar.

Speaking about the deal, Neil Doncaster told SunSport.

SPFL chief Neil Doncaster said: “For the past few months, there have been intense, detailed discussions between ourselves, Sky Sports and our clubs to give fans certainty that they will be able to watch their heroes playing live next season, irrespective of when supporters are allowed back into stadia.

“Today’s announcement is a major boost for everyone involved in the game.

“Obviously, we are all desperate to get supporters back into grounds on a safe and sustainable basis and are making good progress in our discussions with the Scottish Government, especially given the pace of the vaccine roll-out.

“In a normal season, almost five million fans attend SPFL games, the highest per capita attendance in Europe, and the current broadcast deals have been an absolute lifeline for clubs and supporters alike as they battle the enormous financial pressures caused by Covid-19.

“The television viewer numbers for Scottish football this season have been magnificent and this was one of the key reasons behind our agreement with Sky Sports to extend our current arrangements.

“Sky Sports have been enormously supportive and, in the UK and Ireland, will continue to screen up to 48 live Scottish Premiership matches, as well as the Premiership / Championship play-off finals.

“In addition, the new deal enables Premiership clubs to broadcast on a pay per view basis every home SPFL game not selected by Sky Sports.”