Although Rangers and Celtic don’t always agree, a deal has finally been reached on the allotment of Old Firm tickets for the upcoming season.
The SPFL has declared that starting in the upcoming season, the legendary fixture between these two arch rivals would appear very differently as they square off in the centre.
The Union Bears will be moved, and more accessible seating will be erected, as part of major expansion work the Rangers have planned for Ibrox this summer.
Oh, and the SPFL has also declared that there won’t be any spectators at either of the last two Old Firm league games of the season.
Agreement on ticket allocations between Rangers and Celtic
According to an official statement from the SPFL, Rangers and Celtic have decided to share a 5% allocation of away tickets.
This is comparable to the so-called European allocation, when around 3000 Rangers supporters will attend Celtic Park and 2500 Celtic supporters will come to Ibrox.
The resolution of the issue ends a protracted dispute between the teams that began in 2018 when Rangers reduced Celtic’s customary allotment of 8,000 seats in the Broomloan Stand.
In the rematch, Rangers granted the Parkhead team the entire stand, while the visiting Ibrox supporters crowded into a corner of Celtic Park.
“The SPFL is happy to confirm that Rangers FC and Celtic FC will grant away fans ticket allocations of around 5% for SPFL matches between the two teams, following engagement with both clubs.
“This will take effect in the Scottish Premiership season 2024–2025, provided that all prerequisites are met at both Celtic Park and Ibrox.
“It has no bearing on the two league games left between the clubs in 2023–2024; there will still be no admission charge for away fans.”
This summer, Ibrox Stadium will be upgraded.
Both sets of Rangers and Celtic fans will be delighted to hear about the ticket allotment, even though the Old Firm derby hasn’t been as intense in recent years.
Rangers eventually withdrew the allotment, and Celtic eventually stopped accepting any tickets from the team altogether, citing safety concerns.
For the rest of the season, this will result in a sequence of games in which the home crowd completely dominates the action.
It’s interesting that the announcement follows the Rangers’ announcement of major renovation plans for Ibrox Stadium.
Next season, the Union Bears and the club’s singing section will be relocated by the Rangers, and the stadium will hold a little bit more room thanks to the addition of wheelchair-accessible spots.
Rangers supporters also objected to the old allocation, citing the need to relocate the club’s most vocal supporters—who are now housed in the Broomloan—in order to make room for Celtic.
The only friendlies Rangers will play in Scotland this summer may be against Manchester United at Murrayfield due to the improvements.
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