The build-up to the new Scottish Premiership season is already generating excitement across the country, with clubs working hard behind the scenes to strengthen squads, improve facilities and reconnect with supporters ahead of another demanding campaign.
For newly-promoted sides, the summer months are often just as important off the pitch as they are on it. Returning to the top flight brings fresh opportunities, increased attention and, perhaps most importantly, renewed optimism among fans eager to see their club compete at a higher level once again.
That optimism has certainly been evident in Perth, where enthusiasm for the upcoming season appears to be gathering momentum. With fixture release day approaching and anticipation building around the return of Premiership football, supporters have already begun showing their commitment in impressive numbers.
St Johnstone have announced that more than 2,000 season tickets have been sold ahead of their return to the Scottish Premiership for the 2026/27 season.
The Perth outfit secured promotion at the first attempt by lifting the Scottish Championship title under the stewardship of popular head coach Simo Valakari. Attention has now turned towards preparing for life back among Scotland’s elite as supporters continue snapping up tickets for the new campaign.
Season ticket sales will also be closely monitored by Celtic and Rangers fans who are already planning away trips to McDiarmid Park once the league fixtures are unveiled on June 18. At present, the Perth club intends to allocate three of the four stands at the 10,000-plus capacity stadium to travelling Old Firm supporters when the Glasgow giants visit.
St Johnstone hit major season ticket milestone amid plans to reduce Celtic and Rangers allocation:
That proposal sparked frustration among many sections of the St Johnstone fanbase and ultimately led to a direct response from the club through an open letter issued by owner Adam Webb.
In the statement, the American businessman pledged that only two stands would be allocated to away supporters if season ticket sales reached the ambitious target of 3,800.
Last month he wrote: “In light of the general displeasure with the prospect of giving Celtic and Rangers three stands, we have analysed the numbers to determine how many season tickets we would need to sell to be able to make the financial decision to keep the East Stand as a home stand for those matches, which we would much prefer to do. We have agreed that if we sell 3,800 season tickets, we will give Celtic and Rangers only two stands.
“This will not equal the profit to be made from selling three stands, but it is close enough to warrant reserving the East Stand for Saints fans. We acknowledge this should have been communicated to fans from day one. We should have announced this as a challenge to our fans and made every effort to achieve it. Hopefully this statement is deemed as better late than never.
“If we do not sell 3,800 season tickets, East Stand ticket holders will receive a roughly equivalent ticket in the Geoff Brown Stand for Celtic and Rangers games, most likely three or four times during the season. We promise to explain in detail the process by which East Stand season ticket holders will be allowed to choose their comparable seat.
“We have tasked our new ticketing partner with perfecting this process as soon as possible, and we will communicate in due course. We have demanded that supporters will be permitted to pick their equivalent seat and you will retain that seat for any such matches throughout the season. We will update you soon about this process.”
The communication also outlined additional stadium improvements, including plans to provide cover for the safe-standing section located within one of the areas currently earmarked for travelling supporters under the existing arrangements.
Reaching the 2,000 season ticket mark means St Johnstone have already surpassed the halfway point towards the 3,800 target required to trigger a revision of their current Old Firm allocation plans. With several weeks still remaining before the new season begins, the club will hope supporter momentum continues as they attempt to keep more seats available for home fans when Celtic and Rangers come calling.
Nafisa
