| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 13:16 - May 14 with 4818 views | unstableblue |
** UPDATED 14th May **
THE PRIZE!
We did it! we made it! You cannot undervalue this achievement, getting out of League One automatically in the 22/23 season was a brutal task - with 96 points insufficient — a task which Town made a joy.
And now we get our reward - The Championship - and one of the biggest prizes is getting back to, in general, better and bigger stadiums! No more Forest Green Rovers at 5,140 capacity, and a miserly 1,000 away allocation. Although I am sure visitor tickets will remain like hen's teeth given the passion and commitment this team are creating in the fan base. I spoke to the ticket office and they are still deciding on Gold membership plans and away ticket prioritisation, and won’t update on approach for a month.
SO WHERE MIGHT WE BE GOING?
Well with EFL play-offs ongoing and a Premiership relegation battle royale still to conclude, it's still not fully clear who Town are pitting our momentum and Championship quality football (see Burnley in FA cup) against next season — where exactly will the massed blue hordes go a raiding.
The League One play-offs are in-flight. Sheff Weds look to be missing the boat to join ourselves and Plymouth’s ascension, after a drubbing at Peterborough, and with fans turning. Bolton and Barnsley is in the balance to join Posh at Wembley.
Burnley and Sheffield United avoid the Ipswich challenge and join the elite, but who will go up with them remains unclear. With Sunderland just edging Luton in the play-off semi-final first leg, and Coventry and Boro starting their two-game battle later today. Luton in the Premier League! now that is an away ‘stadium’ that’s already raising some eyebrows in terms of topflight readiness. Away end stairwells in back yards, etc.
Of note Millwall and Blackburn who just missed out on the play-offs bring nice big 4,000 away ends for the Town to fill next season.
We avoid the uninspiring trip to Reading as they pass us by on the way down to League One. Although a shame the Blackpool away day is also missed, and a trip to Wigan with a large visitors end.
What Premiership parachuted big guns and stadia are coming down to face the Tractor Boys? Well St Mary’s is now confirmed! Are Leeds also doomed despite the Big Fat Sam roll of the dice, Will George Hirst’s Leicester struggle and call back our precious transfer target as they fall into the Championship, will Everton’s final season at Goodison Park be spent in the second tier? That one is going to the wire.
So where are Town definitely going, well Wikipedia have kindly put up this page including a handy map of stadia locations (just updated with the Southampton news):
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2023%E2%80%9324_EFL_Championship
THE AWAY STADIUM DETAILS
Below are the confirmed teams with capacity. I’ve added their average attendance from this season and away allocations (think we'll be asking for the bigger allocations in most cases):
Birmingham City - St Andrew's - 29,409
Average: 16,663; Away End — 3,000 (can be 4,500)
Blackburn Rovers — Ewood Park — 31,367
Average: 14,807 ; Away End — 4,000
Bristol City - Ashton Gate Stadium - 27,000
Average: 20,734; Away End — 4,200
Cardiff City - Cardiff City Stadium - 33,280
Average: 19,455; Away End — 1,800
Huddersfield — Kiklees Stadium (John Smith’s stadium) — 24,121
Average: 18,978; Away End — 4,000
Hull City - MKM Stadium - 25,586
Average: 17,973; Away End — 2,510
Millwall — The Den — 20,146
Average: 14,767 ; Away End — 4,000
Norwich City - Carrow Road - 27,359
Average: 26,065; Away End — 2,500
Plymouth Argyle - Home Park - 17,900
Average: 15,579; Away End — 1,300 (can be 2,022)
Preston North End — Deepdale - 23,404
Average: 16,065; Away End — 3,000 (can be 6,000)
Queens Park Rangers - Loftus Road - 18,439
Average: 14,870; Away End — 1,800 (can be 2,500)
Rotherham United - New York Stadium - 12,021
Average: 10,515; Away End — 2,500
Southampton — St Mary’s Stadium — 32,384
Average: 30,420; Away End — 3,300 (can be 4,750)
Stoke City - bet365 Stadium - 30,089
Average: 20,570; Away End — 2,800
Swansea City - Swansea.com Stadium - 21,088
Average: 16,663; Away End — 2,000
Watford - Vicarage Road - 22,200
Average: 19,130; Away End — 2,200
West Bromwich Albion — The Hawthorns — 26,850
Average: 23,094; Away End — 3,000 (can be 5,200)
Where are you most looking forward to going?
Once the final list of away days is confirmed, I’ll update again, adding some further background and information on the grounds. But courtesy of longtimefan there is actually a detailed away guide provided by the club, below is last seasons where you can already get details of Plymouth:
https://www.itfc.co.uk/siteassets/image/202223/2223-fan-guides/itfc-summary-away
Can’t wait to get on the road!
[Post edited 14 May 2023 14:46]
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 13:42 - May 14 with 4655 views | SitfcB |
Why don’t you just wait until the end of May when everything is confirmed? |  |
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:05 - May 14 with 4599 views | unstableblue |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 13:42 - May 14 by SitfcB |
Why don’t you just wait until the end of May when everything is confirmed? |
I put all that effort in and you come back with that Sitters!
I guess it’s a post looking NOW/TODAY at the grounds we’re definitely going to (not waiting till the end of May!) and also a post discussing the emerging picture of where we might still go! I watch these exciting play-off and relegation battles and I’m really only thinking about what away days that might mean.
I was also planning to build a lot more information incrementally - such as Ipswich travelling distance, stuff not on away ground guide! Perhaps result when we last played.
But maybe I won’t bother! | |
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:11 - May 14 with 4584 views | Vegtablue |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:05 - May 14 by unstableblue |
I put all that effort in and you come back with that Sitters!
I guess it’s a post looking NOW/TODAY at the grounds we’re definitely going to (not waiting till the end of May!) and also a post discussing the emerging picture of where we might still go! I watch these exciting play-off and relegation battles and I’m really only thinking about what away days that might mean.
I was also planning to build a lot more information incrementally - such as Ipswich travelling distance, stuff not on away ground guide! Perhaps result when we last played.
But maybe I won’t bother! |
I thought it was quite misleading and you'd be offering us the chance to win a prize. Maybe two tickets to the away game of your choice. |  | | |
| Ticket office update on gold membership on 14:13 - May 14 with 4580 views | unstableblue |
Just to highlight one point from this post, save you trawling through it all.
I spoke to the ticket office last week to ask when Gold membership is going on sale.
The summary of the conversation is it will some time before any announcement and that the club are having a detailed review of membership options, including away ticket prioritisation.
I’d suggest they know they’d sell large amounts of Gold membership, well beyond the away end capacities detailed above, and so that becomes unbalanced in who can travel.
Do you think they may restrict to those who bought a certain number of away tickets last season?
There’s no doubt we’re going to sell out the 2,000-2,500 away ends in seconds, and indeed even longer distance grounds such Bristol with 4,200 will also be in high demand.
It’s a great problem to have. | |
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:13 - May 14 with 4575 views | J2BLUE |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:05 - May 14 by unstableblue |
I put all that effort in and you come back with that Sitters!
I guess it’s a post looking NOW/TODAY at the grounds we’re definitely going to (not waiting till the end of May!) and also a post discussing the emerging picture of where we might still go! I watch these exciting play-off and relegation battles and I’m really only thinking about what away days that might mean.
I was also planning to build a lot more information incrementally - such as Ipswich travelling distance, stuff not on away ground guide! Perhaps result when we last played.
But maybe I won’t bother! |
Well I think it's good. Cheers.
For the likes of Millwall, it might be worth adding our likely allocation as teams only need to give us 2000 so teams who are likely to sell to their own fans will likely cap our allocation. As we will hopefully do for all visiting teams. |  |
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:14 - May 14 with 4562 views | unstableblue |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:11 - May 14 by Vegtablue |
I thought it was quite misleading and you'd be offering us the chance to win a prize. Maybe two tickets to the away game of your choice. |
Anything is possible! | |
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:17 - May 14 with 4541 views | Oldsmoker |
It would seem its Sitters first post of the day.
He's obviously just crawled out of bed (at 1.00pm) and not engaged his brain.
I think his spiteful remark is probably 'cos of his celebrating Eurovision last night.
Maybe someone spilt their pint over his sequinned jacket. |  |
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:24 - May 14 with 4523 views | unstableblue |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:13 - May 14 by J2BLUE |
Well I think it's good. Cheers.
For the likes of Millwall, it might be worth adding our likely allocation as teams only need to give us 2000 so teams who are likely to sell to their own fans will likely cap our allocation. As we will hopefully do for all visiting teams. |
Thanks J2.
Millwall an interesting one. Firstly it’s a so much less intimidating away day that it used to be, with away ‘tunnel’ from the station meaning you don’t have to mingle with the locals, and in general the club are trying hard to reduce the nutters and go more family.
All info states 4,000 away allocation, when in reality they tend to give the top tier of the North Stand, which is larger than the lower section.
Norwich were given a 3,000 allocation, which they sold out and was their highest away of the season (pathetic).
In version 3.0 - I’ll try and add highest actual away attendance from this season. | |
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| Ticket office update on gold membership on 14:24 - May 14 with 4526 views | J2BLUE |
| Ticket office update on gold membership on 14:13 - May 14 by unstableblue |
Just to highlight one point from this post, save you trawling through it all.
I spoke to the ticket office last week to ask when Gold membership is going on sale.
The summary of the conversation is it will some time before any announcement and that the club are having a detailed review of membership options, including away ticket prioritisation.
I’d suggest they know they’d sell large amounts of Gold membership, well beyond the away end capacities detailed above, and so that becomes unbalanced in who can travel.
Do you think they may restrict to those who bought a certain number of away tickets last season?
There’s no doubt we’re going to sell out the 2,000-2,500 away ends in seconds, and indeed even longer distance grounds such Bristol with 4,200 will also be in high demand.
It’s a great problem to have. |
Very pleased to hear this. The first thing that needs to be scrapped is members being able to buy an additional four home tickets.
Should be capped at a maximum of one additional ticket (or one ticket total for silver) per member. Or we will rarely see home tickets make general sale. If they keep it as four additional home tickets for ultimate then basically all home tickets outside of ST holders will be in their hands. [Post edited 14 May 2023 14:26]
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:26 - May 14 with 4515 views | unstableblue |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:17 - May 14 by Oldsmoker |
It would seem its Sitters first post of the day.
He's obviously just crawled out of bed (at 1.00pm) and not engaged his brain.
I think his spiteful remark is probably 'cos of his celebrating Eurovision last night.
Maybe someone spilt their pint over his sequinned jacket. |
I imagine Eurovision is a big thing in Sitters Towers, high camp… many cocktails… and as you state elaborate and glamorous outfits | |
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| Ticket office update on gold membership on 14:31 - May 14 with 4498 views | unstableblue |
| Ticket office update on gold membership on 14:24 - May 14 by J2BLUE |
Very pleased to hear this. The first thing that needs to be scrapped is members being able to buy an additional four home tickets.
Should be capped at a maximum of one additional ticket (or one ticket total for silver) per member. Or we will rarely see home tickets make general sale. If they keep it as four additional home tickets for ultimate then basically all home tickets outside of ST holders will be in their hands. [Post edited 14 May 2023 14:26]
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Yes I think the exercise the club referenced will be all facets of ticketing.
There’s really only going to be 6000ish home tickets available at PR for a home game.
If we are playing well again and getting results*, they will be in huge demand. And I think the club want to be attracting new fans.
I do think some priority for season ticket holders to buy additional or members to have a priority, but it’s a difficult balancing act.
I doubt we’ll see many @packoutportmanroad offers??
* but let’s not get ahead of ourselves - championship will be tough, and survival/stabilisation is first priority. Ask Wigan. | |
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:35 - May 14 with 4483 views | longtimefan |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:05 - May 14 by unstableblue |
I put all that effort in and you come back with that Sitters!
I guess it’s a post looking NOW/TODAY at the grounds we’re definitely going to (not waiting till the end of May!) and also a post discussing the emerging picture of where we might still go! I watch these exciting play-off and relegation battles and I’m really only thinking about what away days that might mean.
I was also planning to build a lot more information incrementally - such as Ipswich travelling distance, stuff not on away ground guide! Perhaps result when we last played.
But maybe I won’t bother! |
Did you realise the club produce a general document every season covering each club with this and much more info in, as well as more specific detailed away day guide for each match?
General guide:
https://www.itfc.co.uk/siteassets/image/202223/2223-fan-guides/itfc-summary-away
Fleetwood specific:
https://www.itfc.co.uk/siteassets/image/202223/2223-fan-guides/fleetwood-town-7- | | | |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:41 - May 14 with 4461 views | unstableblue |
That’s brilliant and certainly makes putting much more effort into my post a bit pointless.
I’ve added to the post.
When does that actually get released though? Is it just before the season? | |
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:43 - May 14 with 4455 views | Vegtablue |
HA they've done a good job there tbf! But they don't offer a prize, which is unstable's USP and he will seize on it | | | |
| Speaking of away allocations… on 14:43 - May 14 with 4459 views | unstableblue |
Naughty Coventry?
Also interesting comment in thread:
“ When Burnley played recently at Blackburn, they could have allocated us 7000 seats in the away end but they only gave us 2000. There were 12000 empty seats in the ground on the night!”
In my original post for some grounds there’s a huge disparity between away allocation and available seats. Cardiff provide 1800, and get there’s in excess of 10k seats available on match day | |
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:44 - May 14 with 4438 views | longtimefan |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:41 - May 14 by unstableblue |
That’s brilliant and certainly makes putting much more effort into my post a bit pointless.
I’ve added to the post.
When does that actually get released though? Is it just before the season? |
The general one is usually released around the start of the season, with the individual game ones around a week or two before the match. | | | |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:49 - May 14 with 4407 views | unstableblue |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 14:44 - May 14 by longtimefan |
The general one is usually released around the start of the season, with the individual game ones around a week or two before the match. |
Thanks longtimefan
Have updated original post, really useful to know about this resource and it’s good content
Looks like it came out 11th august?! | |
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 15:59 - May 14 with 4258 views | Freddies_Ears |
Thank you, OP, for that analysis. The club's summary guide that you linked will be issued a day or two after the fixtures are released (as there are elements that change according to whether it is a daytime or evening game, incl likely demand/ ticket scarcity!). | | | |
| Ticket office update on gold membership on 16:06 - May 14 with 4234 views | J2BLUE |
| Ticket office update on gold membership on 14:31 - May 14 by unstableblue |
Yes I think the exercise the club referenced will be all facets of ticketing.
There’s really only going to be 6000ish home tickets available at PR for a home game.
If we are playing well again and getting results*, they will be in huge demand. And I think the club want to be attracting new fans.
I do think some priority for season ticket holders to buy additional or members to have a priority, but it’s a difficult balancing act.
I doubt we’ll see many @packoutportmanroad offers??
* but let’s not get ahead of ourselves - championship will be tough, and survival/stabilisation is first priority. Ask Wigan. |
For home games it's usually
Ultimate
Silver
Gold
ST holders
General sale
If they left all four member levels buy extra tickets the likes of Norwich are not going to get anywhere near general sale. Might not even get past ultimate unless they change it.
Not really worth worrying about it if they are aware of it. The club get most things right these days. | |
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| Great view of our potential opponents (club badges) on 18:24 - May 14 with 4066 views | unstableblue |
Obviously not 100% Leeds and Leicester will go down and Sunderland/Bolton go up… I’d fancy Boro and Barnsley.. BUT come what may it’s gonna be a great set up clubs and grounds to challenge and to visit.
I’m particularly looking forward to the Hawthorns, Ashton Gate, Vicarage Road and John Smith stadium | |
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| Speaking of away allocations… on 18:36 - May 14 with 4038 views | yorkshireblue |
| Speaking of away allocations… on 14:43 - May 14 by unstableblue |
Naughty Coventry?
Also interesting comment in thread:
“ When Burnley played recently at Blackburn, they could have allocated us 7000 seats in the away end but they only gave us 2000. There were 12000 empty seats in the ground on the night!”
In my original post for some grounds there’s a huge disparity between away allocation and available seats. Cardiff provide 1800, and get there’s in excess of 10k seats available on match day |
Burnley only gave Blackburn the minimum allowance earlier in the season - it’s tit for tat like many in the playoffs. If Burnley wanted more of their fans at Ewood Park, they should have given more in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. |  | | |
| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 19:38 - May 14 with 3833 views | Nthsuffolkblue |
Looking forward to getting to at least one away match. Will depend on fixtures and availability of tickets but would be lovely to get to one of the London grounds, especially one that I haven't been to. Birmingham, West Brom and Southampton beyond that.
Even with the larger allocations, the way the tickets have gone this season, I hope the ones that interest me will get to general sale with sufficient left for me to get tickets! |  |
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| Speaking of away allocations… on 22:50 - May 14 with 3615 views | Bluespeed225 |
| Speaking of away allocations… on 14:43 - May 14 by unstableblue |
Naughty Coventry?
Also interesting comment in thread:
“ When Burnley played recently at Blackburn, they could have allocated us 7000 seats in the away end but they only gave us 2000. There were 12000 empty seats in the ground on the night!”
In my original post for some grounds there’s a huge disparity between away allocation and available seats. Cardiff provide 1800, and get there’s in excess of 10k seats available on match day |
In the case of Burnley, the hatred between the Clubs fans is nuts, so to lift the trophy on their rivals turf was a big one, Blackburn wanting to curtail the celebrations as much as possible! What struck me in your list was the capacity of those grounds. Apart from St Mary's they are really quite small! Birmingham, 2nd city, big population, no bigger than us, and a poor average attendance. We can make this division really sit up and take notice next season! | | | |
| Speaking of away allocations… on 07:33 - May 15 with 3388 views | Plums |
| Speaking of away allocations… on 18:36 - May 14 by yorkshireblue |
Burnley only gave Blackburn the minimum allowance earlier in the season - it’s tit for tat like many in the playoffs. If Burnley wanted more of their fans at Ewood Park, they should have given more in the reverse fixture earlier in the season. |
Bolton and Barnsley have had a similar stand-off. There won't be 5k Bolton fans at Oakwell because they've only given them 2113 after Bolton allowed that many at their place. |  |
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| Ipswich CHAMPIONSHIP Ground Guide 23/24 - version 2.0 on 09:30 - May 15 with 3281 views | GeoffSentence |
Anyone else find the list of sponsors there a little embarrassing? Everyone else has some big corporation sponsoring them, we just have some random fan. |  |
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