Partnership ensures better access for footie fans

A partnership spearheaded by Nimbus Disability has enabled disabled football fans to benefit from easier access to tickets.

Sports venue ticketing platform Alloc8 has teamed up with the Derby-based charity to incorporate its award-winning bespoke Access Card software into its own ticketing system, which is being operated for the first time at Tranmere Rovers.

The integrated platform will enable disabled fans to register their requirements and book online season tickets, tickets for home and away fixtures, coach travel and parking quickly and easily – breaking down the barriers they face to enjoying live football.

Fans who also sign up for Nimbus’ Access Card will be able to join the 100,000 disabled people across the UK who benefit from easier ticket bookings at major venues across the UK and beyond, including West End theatres, Buckingham Palace, Disneyland Paris, and The O2 Arena.

The Nimbus’ Access Card was recognised with a Ticketing Business Award in 2021 and, more recently, The Queen’s Award for Innovation.

Powered by NOS, Nimbus Disability’s bespoke software, The Access Card system translates its holder’s disability/impairment/access requirements into symbols highlighting the barriers they face.

Then, when cardholders book tickets online, NOS automatically informs the ticket booking system about the access requirements that individuals need.

Martin Austin MBE, managing director of Nimbus Disability, said: “The Access Card is all about providing consistency for disabled people – whether that is going to a football match, theatre or local coffee shop.

“As disabled people ourselves, our mission is to provide a universal, digitised way of communicating all verified access requirements, from eligibility for companion tickets to the necessity for wheelchair-accessible seating provision.

“Our system enables each access requirement flagged to be integrated directly into ticketing systems to remove the need to continually call ‘special’ booking lines’ and fill in ‘special’ booking forms or answer personal and invasive questions over the phone.

“Ultimately our operating system lessens the administrative burden on disabled people at the same time as opening up equality of access to online ticketing solutions from West End theatres to theme parks.”