Does Black Cats membership guarantee match tickets?
No. Membership gives you the option to opt in to the ticket ballot for individual matches. Applying for more matches increases your chances of success, but every ballot remains subject to demand and availability. Black Cats - Adult and Black Cats - Academy include the Men's home GA ticket ballot for Premier League, Europa League and domestic cup matches. Season Ticket Plus includes the Men's away GA ticket ballot instead. No tier includes both.
As a Member, do you have to enter the ballot for each match manually?
Yes. Members opt in to the ballot for each match individually to ensure they're actually able to attend.
How will I know if I've won a ballot?
We'll email you if you're successful.
Do I get to choose my seat if I win a Home Ballot?
During the ballot opt in process, supporters will be given options of where they would prefer to sit. Only areas of the stadium that have available seats will be available to select. There is also an option to select 'you don't mind where your tickets are allocated'. If a supporter is successful in winning the ballot, seats will automatically be allocated based on their preferences when opting into the ballot. Allocated tickets will be placed into their Reserved Tickets section on their online account. Supporters need to purchase their allocated tickets by selecting Reserved tickets and complete the transaction including providing payment.
If I’m successful in a ballot, but miss the deadline to purchase the ticket, can I still get a ballot ticket?
Unfortunately, your seat will be released. You'll then need to wait for any remaining tickets to go on general sale.
Is membership the only way to get a home ticket?
Home tickets are first made available to Black Cats - Adult and Academy members via a ballot. Should any tickets remain after the ballot phase they will be available for non-members to purchase via a general sale.
Will Adult or Academy membership help me get a season ticket?
Yes. Once you've joined Black Cats - Adult or Academy, you can opt in to the Men's season ticket waiting list. You'll remain on it for as long as your membership stays valid and current.
Will Adult and Academy tiers have access to the Season Ticket Plus away ticket ballot?
No. The away ticket ballot is only available to Season Ticket Plus members.
What does the Season Ticket Plus away ballot include?
Season ticket holders can join a limited Premier League, Europa League and domestic cup away ticket ballot by purchasing a Season Ticket Plus membership. Ticket numbers will vary by fixture, depending on the club's available away allocation, but 10% of our general sales allocation will be made available via the ballot.
How does the away ticket ballot work with Black Cat Points?
The away sales phases, using Black Cat Points, continues as the 2025/26 season. 90% of the general admission away allocation is released across Black Cat Point Phases 1 and 2. The new ballot system runs alongside Phases 1 and 2, covering the remaining 10% of general admission tickets. Any tickets remaining after Phases 1 & 2 and the ballot will be released for a Black Cat Point Phase 3.
Can Season Ticket Plus members opt into the season ticket waiting list or the home GA ticket ballot?
No. Neither the season ticket waiting list nor the home GA ticket ballot is available to Season Ticket Plus members.
As a season ticket holder, do I need a membership for home Europa League games?
No. As a season ticket holder, you'll follow the normal ticketing process for cup games and secure your seat during a season ticket holders priority sales window. More details on this process and timings will be confirmed in the coming weeks.
Will I need membership to have a chance at Europa League away tickets?
No. Black Cat Points still covers 90% of away-ticket general admission allocations, including Europa League fixtures. Season Ticket Plus gives season ticket holders the chance to join a ballot for the remaining 10% of general admission tickets.
Can I purchase multiple memberships against one account?
No. Each membership is unique and tied to an individual ticketing account. You'll be able to link memberships with friends and family within your account.
If my friends or family enter a ballot together, can we sit together?
Seating together isn't guaranteed. You can link accounts and apply for multiple tickets as a group, provided everyone is a current Black Cats member. If seats together aren't available, you'll be offered what is available and can decide whether to go ahead.
Do all members of a group need their own membership to enter a ballot together?
Yes. Ballots run on a one-ticket-per-member basis, so everyone in the group needs their own current Black Cats membership to enter together.
Can a Black Cats - Academy member win a ballot without an Adult?
Yes, they can enter and win independently. Whether they're seated with an accompanying adult depends on that adult's membership; see 'My child has won a seat on the ballot. Can we sit together?' below.
My child has won a seat on the ballot. Can we sit together?
Under-14s can't be seated without an accompanying adult. Please ensure that any Under 14 member entering a ballot also includes an Adult member entering within the same ballot signup. If your child's ballot seat isn't automatically allocated next to the adult seat you'll need to contact us via Ask SAFC (https://help.asksafc.com/hc/en-us) to arrange a seat move before matchday.
I'm a supporter living overseas, can I access a home ticket?
A dedicated contact for members based outside the UK. Email bcw@safc.com with your request, and our team will advise on ticket access on a case-by-case basis. This isn't a guarantee of tickets or a specific experience.
Can international members join the ballot?
Yes. Members based outside the UK can enter the ballot and join the season ticket waiting list in the same way as UK-based members.