Important supporter information for fans attending Saints games
Southampton Football Club would like to make fans aware of new mandatory matchday measures, introduced by the Premier League, that supporters will need to follow when attending Saints matches from Wednesday 15th December onwards.
To ensure the safety of all fans, staff and players, visitors to stadiums will be required to:
- Pre-register their Covid-19 status before attending.
- Show their Covid-19 status on arrival at Premier League stadiums
- Wear face coverings in indoor areas at the stadium, and on public transport when travelling to and from games, unless exempt
The new measures will be in place from Wednesday 15th December with supporters required to follow the protocols for the away fixture at Crystal Palace that day, as well as all upcoming fixtures, until further notice.
Supporters are asked not to attend games if they have any Covid-19 symptoms or if there is any risk that they could pass on Covid-19, and the club recommends that fans take a lateral flow test on the day of the game, regardless of their vaccination status, if possible.
Fans are also reminded to follow the latest public health guidance, including:
- wearing face coverings in indoor areas and while travelling on public transport, unless exempt
- regularly washing your hands
- maintaining social distancing and being respectful of fellow fans
PRE-REGISTER YOUR COVID-19 STATUS
All supporters aged 18 or over will be required to pre-register their Covid-19 status before attending a Premier League match from Wednesday 15th December onwards.
You can pre-register your Covid-19 status for all fixtures up to and including the Saints match against Newcastle United on Sunday 2nd January by filling out the form below – the club is working with the local public health authority to confirm how often fans are required to pre-register their Covid-19 status beyond this point.
SHOW YOUR COVID-19 STATUS AT MATCHES
In addition to pre-registering their Covid-19 status, all supporters attending a match at St Mary’s or any other Premier League ground must be prepared to show their Covid-19 status on arrival at the stadium.
You can do this by showing either a valid NHS COVID Pass to prove your vaccination status, or a negative lateral flow test taken within 48 hours of kick-off. All valid forms of vaccination proof are listed in the FAQ’s at the bottom of this article.
All Premier League clubs will be carrying out Covid-19 status checks ahead of fixtures from Wednesday 15th December onwards and supporters who when checked are unable to show their Covid-19 status with appropriate certification will be denied entry to stadiums..
BE MATCH READY
Fans can find full information on how to be match ready ahead of visiting Premier League grounds here, including the Supporter Code of Conduct that fans must read and agree to follow at all times.
FAQs for supporters attending Premier League fixtures
What are the new measures being introduced at Premier League stadiums?
Supporters will need to complete a Covid-19 status pre-registration form, confirming that they understand they must show proof on arrival at a Premier League stadium of either having received a double vaccination, or a negative lateral flow taken within 48 hours of kick-off.
Fans that do not pre-register their Covid-19 status, and confirm that they will not attend should they have tested positive, be isolating, or are showing any Covid-19 symptoms, shall risk being denied entry.
Supporters attending a match at any Premier League ground must be prepared to show their Covid-19 status on arrival at the stadium.
When will these measures come into effect?
Supporters will be required to follow the new guidelines from 6am on Wednesday 15th December. This means that fans attending the match away at Crystal Palace that evening, and any other forthcoming fixtures, will need to follow these measures.
Will supporters that are unable to show their Covid-19 status be denied entry to stadiums?
Under updated Premier League guidelines, supporters who when checked are unable to show their Covid-19 status with appropriate certification will be denied entry to stadiums.
When and where will the Covid-19 status pre-registration form be available?
Supporters can pre-register their Covid-19 status by filling out the form here. This will be available on the Southampton FC website, and as part of both the supporter ticket purchasing journey and confirmation email.
All 2021/22 Season Ticket holders and existing ticket purchasers will be sent a link to fill out the Covid-19 status pre-registration form directly by email.
Does everyone need to pre-register their Covid-19 status?
Supporters who do not have the appropriate COVID certification risk being denied entry to Premier League stadiums.
All supporters over the age of 18 need to complete the pre-registration form. Under-18s do not need to pre-register their Covid-19 status and will not be checked on the day.
Do Season Ticket holders need to complete this before every match?
The club is working with the local public health authority to find out how frequently supporters are required to pre-register their Covid-19 status and will provide an update on this as soon as we have confirmation.
In the meantime, all supporters are required to complete the Covid-19 status pre-registration form ahead of fixtures up to and including the Newcastle United match on Sunday 2nd January.
How do the new guidelines apply to Saints supporters attending away fixtures?
All Saints fans attending away Premier League fixtures will need to complete a Covid-19 status pre-registration form through with Southampton FC using this form, rather than pre-registering with the home team for that fixture.
Any away fans travelling to watch games at St Mary’s should visit their club site to complete the appropriate pre-registration form.
Supporters attending a match at any Premier League ground must be prepared to show their Covid-19 status on arrival at the stadium.
What procedure will Hospitality guests and hosts need to follow?
Account managers will be contacting Hospitality guests directly to inform them of the process to be completed ahead of games. All Hospitality guests should be prepared to show their Covid-19 status.
What if a supporter is exempt from receiving a Covid-19 vaccination or testing?
Any supporters that are medically exempt should register their exemption with the NHS. They can do so through the NHS website, calling 119 or by arrangement with their GP.
Fans with NHS-registered exemptions will be able to generate an NHS COVID Pass in the same format as the ‘normal’ pass for those that have received a double vaccination or a negative test.
Those supporters that are exempt from vaccination will still be required to take a lateral flow test instead to prove their Covid-19 status.
Do the measures apply to under-18s?
Supporters under the age of 18 will not be required to pre-register their Covid-19 status and will not need to prove their Covid-19 status on arrival at Premier League stadiums. However, the club asks that any fans under the age of 18 that are showing symptoms or test positive for Covid-19 do not attend matches.
What are we accepting as valid Covid-19 certification?
Supporters should be prepared to present a valid NHS COVID Pass to show their Covid-19 status, or an email or text message from the NHS confirming a negative test within 48 hours ahead of the match. For the avoidance of doubt, bringing a physical lateral flow test will not count as proof of Covid-19 status.
Evidence that will be accepted as proof of Covid-19 status are:
- COVID Pass via the NHS App
- COVID Pass via Apple/Android Wallet
- PDF Version of the NHS COVID Pass
- COVID Pass letter for people who are double vaccinated
- EU Digital COVID Certificate
- Negative COVID Test Result
- Negative COVID Test Result Text Message
What can vaccinated overseas supporters provide to prove their Covid-19 status?
Premier League clubs will accept any international proof of vaccination recognised by the NHS as an equivalent to the NHS COVID Pass – a full list of accepted forms of proof of Covid-19 status can be found here.
Fans are advised that the easiest way of checking a less common international proof of Covid-19 status may be to conduct a scan of it using the NHS COVID Verifier app.
How long will these measures be in place?
The club will continue to follow Premier League guidance and will keep fans informed of any developments through the club website.
Do I need to wear a face covering to matches?
Fans are required to wear face coverings within indoor areas, including stadium concourses and while travelling on public transport to and from games, unless they are exempt.
Face coverings are not currently required to be worn whilst sitting within the stadium bowl.
What is the club’s refund policy if fans are unable to attend matches due to these measures?
Refunds will be actioned for fans who can prove they have had a positive Covid-19 test or are isolating, in line with government guidelines.
Supporters are advised that refunds will not be processed on request for those that can not prove they have had a positive Covid-19 test or are isolating.
Any refund requests should be made in writing to [email protected]. Please allow up to 14 days for your refund request to be actioned. Refunds will be subject to your tickets not being used or scanned at the match in question.
