Norwich City to switch to digital tickets - how will it work?

Norwich City has announced it is switching to digital tickets from next season, ushering in the same technology used by venues around the world. But how does it work, and what does it mean for fans?

Instead of having a physical season ticket card or matchday ticket, fans will need to have their ticket sent to their registered email address or OneCity account by the club.

The tickets then have to be downloaded and stored in their Apple or Google Wallets on their smartphone.

On matchdays, fans can gain entry to Carrow Road by opening the wallet and tapping their smartphone screen at the turnstile reader.

Season ticket holders for the 2025/26 term will be emailed in late June, with supporters encouraged to download a link and store their digital tickets on their mobiles as soon as possible.

The club said the type of wireless technology used - near field communication - is already used by Norwich City season ticket cards, contactless payments made via mobile phone, and on hotel room keycards.

It added that Apple devices newer than the iphone 6 and Android running on version 9.0 or higher would work with the technology.

Any fan without a smartphone should contact the ticket office or fill out a form online.

Norwich City said the system would make ticket-sharing easier between fans, while "supporting the club's sustainability objectives".

"Most supporters will already be using this technology in their daily lives, for example when using their mobile device to make a contactless payment in the supermarket or by downloading a digital train ticket to their phones," said Ollie Applegate, the club's head of technology.

"Supporters with season tickets will already have used it to access Carrow Road when tapping their season cards on the contactless readers at turnstiles.

"This ticketing change will simply mean that they are tapping their phones, which will need to be preloaded with their digital ticket, instead of tapping a physical season card."

Dozens of fans contacted BBC Radio Norfolk when it was discussed on the Breakfast show, hosted by Norwich City matchday commentator Chris Goreham.

They were concerned about how to go about sharing tickets when they could not attend a game, and claimed the plastic season ticket cards - now made obsolete - were sustainable if renewed each year.

Some questioned whether the savings to the club in not having to create new cards and tickets would be passed on to fans.

Richard, listening in Trimingham, near Cromer, said he manned the gates at Leicester City FC, which switched to digital tickets a couple of seasons ago.

He urged Canaries fans to "stick with it", claiming the "vast majority" of fans preferred it for its ease of use.

Colin Butters, 69, of Norwich, said he resented having technology "forced" upon him, and without a fan consultation. He owns a smartphone but does not want to use it for transactions, including digital tickets.

"I've contacted the ticket office and bought a season ticket for next year, and was told I'd get an email; I'm not sure what happens next," he said.

"The club should remember that not everyone embraces technology with the same enthusiasm as them.

"There's also the matter of not having a physical ticket. We won't have souvenirs of anything any more."

Goreham also reflected on this on his show - particularly when it came to big sporting events and concerts.

"Having the ticket was like a free souvenir, there wasn't an alternative, and you would have something afterwards to say you had been there; I'd put them on my wall.

"They were nice things to have and we don't have that now, and it is something I pine for.

"I think that's a sad loss."

Matchday programme seller, Barry, suggested the increasing use of technology could eventually lead to an e-programme.

"The personal touch which sellers have with supporters is, in my opinion, very important," he said.

"I appreciate the club has to move with the times but it is a real concern."

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