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On Wednesday, I reported (see below) on the remarkable ballot result when it came to Newcastle United members for the AFC Wimbledon match.
The match moved to St James’ Park at very short notice.
With AFC Wimbledon having their pitch and stadium damaged by significant flooding, meaning Tuesday’s scheduled cup match couldn’t be played there, that just the tip of the iceberg for the fan-owned club. With sadly so many challenges ahead of them.
For Newcastle United members though, this late change of venue presented a very rare opportunity, unheard of in recent years, where all members could be guaranteed a ticket to a match ar St James’ Park, if they wanted one.
Only one small problem with that. As countless Newcastle United members on Wednesday found themselves getting emails saying that they HADN’T been successful.
Incredibly, the AFC Wimbledon ballot massively oversubscribed by Newcastle United members, a home game put on at very short notice, midweek, against a League Two side. Just incredible this demand for NUFC tickets now.
For those still doubting demand and the desire of so many Newcastle United members to get their hands on tickets for all/any matches, further proof this Thursday morning that those reports of so many members unsuccessful, were not fabricated.
As they do every home game now, after each ballot for Newcastle United members to try and get tickets for each St James’ Park match, there then follows a further sale of tickets on a queue basis.
That sale for AFC Wimbledon tickets started at 10am this morning, I queued and got on the ticketeting site at 10.17am and there wasn’t a single ticket remaining. The odd ticket kept appearing but when you tried to buy it, nothing went in your online basket. This often happens, as many Newcastle United members will know from their experience and past frustration, these ‘ghost’ tickets not real ones, just the product of yet another glitch with the club’s useless ticketing site.
So quite astonishingly, this hastily organised home cup game against fourth tier opposition has instantly sold out. With no doubt many many thousands of Newcastle United members dejected that they didn’t manage to get a ticket. Plus no doubt, wondering just how many times they are going to be successful this season and beyond in future ticket ballots/sales, a nightmare situation for so many fans until a far far bigger capacity stadium is built. Whether an extended SJP, or on a whole new site, hopefully just a couple of hundred yards up from the current ground, where Leazes Park and/or Castle Leazes is.
The last faint remaining hope for any Newcastle United members who didn’t get a ticket, is if AFC Wimbledon return any and they can be put up for sale to NUFC fans.
AFC Wimbledon official announcement:
‘Following the rescheduling of our third round Carabao Cup tie for Tuesday 1 October at Newcastle United (7.45 pm kick-off), tickets are now available to buy for Wimbledon supporters.
Please note that e-tickets only are on sale via our ticket website (and are not currently available in person), and they must be purchased before Monday 30 September at 5 pm – there will be no pay on the day option.
We’ve received an allocation of 3,000 for this fixture and tickets are now on general sale (up to four per fan ID).’
You would hope that if it gets to say Friday afternoon and they still have a lot of tickets unsold, then hopefully at least maybe between 1,000 and 1,800 might be returned and go on sale to Newcastle United members. As surely the overwhelming majority of AFC Wimbledon fans who do intend to come to the game, will have bought their tickets by then. I might be wrong but I think at least 1,200 of the 3,000 allocation AFC Wimbledon have received, can’t go on sale to Newcastle fans, due to issues surrounding away fans not allowed to exit the stadium using the same exit routes as home fans etc.
My article yesterday on Newcastle United members ballot for AFC Wimbledon – Wednesday 25 September:
At very short notice, Newcastle United members were told they could enter a ballot to get AFC Wimbledon v Newcastle United tickets, after the match was forced to be switched to St James’ Park.
Newcastle United members given 24 hours to enter the ballot, which closed at 10am this (Wednesday) morning.
The game of course to be played in six days time against the League Two side, 7.45pm kick-off on Tuesday 1 October.
If anybody still doubted the sheer demand for NUFC home tickets these days and just how many Newcastle United members are desperately chasing them every game at St James’ Park.
This is surely the proof of just how sky high that demand is, just how many Newcastle United members / fans are desperate to see their team in the flesh.
The Newcastle United members who entered the ballot have now received their emails, informing them of how they fared in the ballot.
The big news is that incredibly, this AFC Wimbledon ballot for Newcastle United members was oversubscribed!!!
Whilst many members have been told they can access and select their seats at 2pm this afternoon, other Newcastle United members have received this email instead…
Who knows how many thousands of Newcastle United members were unsuccessful and didn’t get ballot tickets for AFC Wimbledon.
So the only chance for the unlucky ones is when the small number of tickets kept over for the queue process (as happens every home match after a ballot) go on sale tomorrow (Thursday) morning.
Newcastle United official announcement – 23 September 2024:
‘Newcastle United’s postponed Carabao Cup round three tie with AFC Wimbledon will now take place at St. James’ Park on Tuesday 1st October (kick-off 7:45pm BST).
The fixture was originally scheduled for Tuesday 24th September at the Cherry Red Records Stadium but was postponed on Monday morning following extensive overnight flooding in South London and related pitch damage at the stadium.
To enable the fixture to be played, it will now be switched to the North East following an agreement between the clubs and the competition’s management committee.
TICKET INFORMATION
Refunds for supporters with tickets for the original postponed fixture will be processed tomorrow.
Season ticket holders who have opted into the Carabao Cup Scheme will be emailed tomorrow and payment will be taken before the weekend.
Members and season ticket holders that are not enrolled in the Carabao Cup Scheme are eligible to enter the ticket ballot, which will open at 10am on Tuesday 24th September and close at 10am on Wednesday 25th September.
General sale for members and season ticket holders not enrolled in the Carabao Cup Scheme, and who do not already have a ticket, opens on Thursday 26th September at 10am.
Due to the immediate turnaround for this rearranged fixture, please note that ticket on-sale periods will be shorter than usual.”

 
