2017 FOOTBALL TICKETING SYSTEM FAQ
WHY DID SGA MAKE THESE CHANGES?
The Student Government Association (SGA) has observed persistent problems with the student
game day experience. SGA compiled feedback and information through the following platforms
in 2016: AuburnAnswers submissions, SGA’s diverse Game Day Committee, student behavior and
safety observations on Saturdays, and research of other Southeastern Conference peer institutions
and their ticketing systems. SGA has identified and prioritized changes that solve existing problems
and enhance the game day experience for students. The changes seek to achieve the following
objectives: filling the student section with students, making tickets and guest passes available to
students in the cheapest and most efficient way possible, and enhancing the safety of the student
section.
WHY CAN’T I SELL MY TICKETS HOWEVER I WANT? WHAT ABOUT THE FREE MARKET?
Student tickets are intended for tuition-paying Auburn students and are significantly discounted for
them. We have created a system that preserves the purpose of these tickets and gives more Auburn
students, and a limited amount of their potential guests, access rather than the highest-paying
bidder on Facebook or elsewhere. We understand that in the past, some students have sold many
of their tickets to help pay for tuition, living expenses, etc. but this is not what student tickets are
intended for. We don’t believe gouging fellow Auburn students aligns with the spirit of the Auburn
Family.
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO BRING MY FRIEND OR FAMILY MEMBER INTO THE STUDENT
SECTION? HOW DO I GET A GUEST PASS?
We are aware of students’ desire to have guests accompany them in the student section. Therefore,
a guest ticketing system has been created that will allow students the potential to bring a guest into
the game. There are two ways to get a guest ticket.
First, there will be a minimum of 250 guest tickets available for each game, with more being
available for games with traditionally low student attendance. Students have the opportunity when
they place their student ticket order to enter a lottery for one of these guaranteed guest tickets
for any game(s) they select. Winners will be notified the first week of classes in the fall and will be
required to pay online at that time.
Second, students will be able to request a guest pass from the ticket pool the week of a game.
Students may begin requesting a guest pass for that week’s game beginning at noon on Sunday and
ending at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday. Guest passes will be distributed first-come, first-serve depending
on the amount of tickets returned to the ticket pool. However, students without a ticket that request
a ticket from the pool will always receive priority before requests for guest passes. All guest ticket
payments will be handled online and guest tickets will be printed at home. Guests must enter
through Gate 6 with their student host on Saturday.
CAN ANYONE REQUEST A GUEST TICKET?
Only Auburn students that have a ticket for a given game may request a guest ticket for that
particular game.
CAN I GET MORE THAN ONE GUEST TICKET FOR ANY GIVEN GAME?
No, students may only receive one guest ticket per game. If the ticket pool has enough tickets
available late in the week before a game, there is a chance students may be allowed to get more
than one guest ticket if the Athletics Ticket Office determines it’s allowable.
CAN I GET GUEST TICKETS FOR MULTIPLE GAMES?
Yes, it is possible for a student to bring a guest to multiple games. However, guest ticket requests
occur on a game-by-game basis and can’t be purchased as a season guest ticket.
WHAT IF SOMETHING COMES UP THAT PREVENTS ME FROM ARRIVING BY THE
START OF THE 2ND QUARTER OR AT ALL FOR A GAME?
For the rare situation in which circumstances prevent you from arriving on time and you believe you
shouldn’t be penalized, there will be a penalty appeals form on AU Access that will involve a hearing
by a committee of staff and students.
HOW MUCH DO GUEST PASSES COST AND HOW DO I PAY FOR THEM?
SGA successfully advocated for a cheaper, consistent guest pass price in 2017. Guest passes will cost
$20 for every game in 2017, except for the Georgia and Alabama games which will cost $30. If you
receive a guest pass from the initial lottery, you will have until 5:00 p.m. on August 25, 2017 to pay
online and secure that ticket. If you receive a guest pass the week of the game from the ticket pool,
you will have until 5:00 p.m. on Friday prior to the game to pay online and secure the ticket. This
amount can be paid using a credit card. No cash, checks, or eBill.
HOW DOES THE TICKET POOL WORK?
Students often realize they no longer plan to attend a game for different reasons. Rather than having
those tickets go unused and have an empty student section, students must return their ticket to
the ticket pool to avoid penalty points for not attending. If students return their unwanted tickets
before 11:59p.m. on Sunday night prior to the game, they will receive no penalty. Students without
a ticket may request one from the pool at any time during the season for any game, and they will
be distributed first-come, first-serve immediately as tickets are returned to the pool throughout the
season. Students with a ticket are allowed to begin requesting first-come, first-serve guest passes
from the ticket pool beginning on Sunday at noon and ending on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. the week
of the game. Students without a ticket will always receive priority to pool tickets before requests for
guest passes. Recipients of tickets from the ticket pool will receive an email notifying them they’ve
received a ticket or guest pass.
WILL I BE REIMBURSED IF I RETURN ONE OR MORE OF MY GAME TICKETS TO
THE TICKET POOL?
No, student tickets are sold as season tickets rather than individual games, and reimbursements will
not be paid for unused games.
WHY IS THERE NOT AN OPTION FOR ME TO TRANSFER MY TICKET DIRECTLY TO
ANOTHER STUDENT?
We understand that every student cannot attend every game, and that they will often want to give
that ticket to someone they know who can attend. However, the ticket pool system ensures that
students don’t gouge their peers by selling their ticket on secondary markets. It also eliminates the
need for students without tickets to know or find someone not going to the game. Tickets returned
to the ticket pool will immediately be redistributed to a student without a ticket who wants to attend
the game. Students with a ticket are allowed to begin requesting first-come, first-serve guest passes
from the ticket pool beginning on Sunday at noon and ending on Thursday at 9:00 a.m. the week of
the game. Students without a ticket will always receive priority in the ticket pool.
WHY DO FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS NOT GET A FULL SEASON TICKET PACKAGE OPTION?
The first-year ticket packages actually double the amount of first-year students that have access to
good, SEC football tickets. Packages also ensure that all freshmen that want football tickets are able
to get them. Six-game packages will include 6 out of 7 home games in 2017, leaving out Georgia
or Alabama. However, first-year students will still be able to request a ticket from the ticket pool for
any game they don’t have in their package. So, it is likely that many first-year students will be able to
attend every home game.
WHY DO THERE HAVE TO BE PENALTY POINTS AND WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?
Students must be held accountable to using the tickets they purchase to ensure a full student
section. To make the ticket pool system work, students must be held accountable to return their
unwanted tickets to the pool in a timely manner so that they may be redistributed. If a student
receives 4 or more total penalty points during the season, they will lose post-season (bowl and
championship games) ticket privileges and will be dropped below first-year students in the
following season’s ticket order priority.
HOW DO YOU GET PENALTY POINTS?
Students can receive penalty points for returning their unwanted tickets too late or for not attending
a game and arriving before the 2nd quarter. Students will receive no penalty if they return their
unwanted ticket to the pool before 11:59 PM Sunday night prior to the game. Students will receive
1 penalty point if they return their ticket after 11:59 PM Sunday night, but before 5:00 p.m. on
Friday before the game, the point at which tickets may no longer be returned. Students will receive
2 penalty points if they fail to attend the game or if they fail to arrive by the start of the 2nd quarter.
If a student receives 4 or more points during the season, they will lose post-season (bowl and
championship games) ticket privileges and will be dropped below first-year status during ticket
orders the following season.
WHY DO I HAVE TO ARRIVE BEFORE THE START OF THE 2ND QUARTER TO AVOID
BEING PENALIZED AS IF I DIDN’T ATTEND?
To promote a full, energetic student section that supports our team, students are expected to show
up before the 2nd quarter. This also reiterates the importance of getting student tickets into the
hands of the students who most want to attend football games in their entirety.
WHAT DO I DO IF I BELIEVE I IMPROPERLY RECEIVED PENALTY POINTS?
There will be a form on AU Access to appeal penalty points. Appeals will be heard by a committee of
staff and students.
HOW WILL I KNOW HOW MANY PENALTY POINTS I HAVE?
You will receive an email any time you receive a penalty point, and there will be a breakdown of your
penalty points on your AUAccess page.
Any other questions may be emailed to [email protected] and feedback is always welcome on
www.auburnanswers.org.