Stoke City Ticket Update: 2,168 Seats for Jan 22 Clash at Fratton Park

When Stoke City Football Club announced a ticket update on January 21, 2025, fans of both sides sat up straight. The club revealed it had been handed an allocation of 2,168 tickets for the upcoming Championship clashFratton Park against Portsmouth FC on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Tickets would stay on sale online and at the bet365 Stadium Ticket Office until 12 p.m. that day, with a firm “no match‑day sales” policy.

Why the ticket news mattered

For a club that’s pushing for a promotion push in the 2024‑25 English League Championship, every seat is a chance to fire up the atmosphere – and the bank account. The allocation meant Stoke fans could travel down the south coast without fighting a resale market that often spikes prices in a hurry. As a spokesperson for Stoke said, “We want our supporters to have a fair shot at attending. This allocation gives families, students and long‑time season ticket holders a clear window to secure their places.”

Pricing details from Portsmouth’s side

Portsmouth’s official website listed a tiered price structure inherited from the 2023‑24 League One season. In plain English, adults paid £25 for advance sales and £27 on the day, seniors (65+) got a £6 discount, and junior fans enjoyed tickets as low as £10. There were also dedicated rates for ambulant and wheelchair‑user tickets, and an executive adult level at £36 advance. A £3 booking fee applied only to phone or in‑person purchases, while online orders were fee‑free; a £2.50 postage charge covered mailed tickets.

• Adult advance: £25 | matchday: £27
• Senior (65+) advance: £19 | matchday: £21
• Young person (18‑22) advance: £17 | matchday: £19
• Junior (14‑17) advance: £10 | matchday: £12
• Child (2‑13) advance: £5 | matchday: £7
• Ambulant advance: £17 | matchday: £19
• Wheelchair user advance: £16 | matchday: £18
• Adult executive advance: £36 | matchday: £38

Match day recap – Portsmouth 3, Stoke 1

The game itself turned out to be a roller‑coaster. Portsmouth struck early, with Colby Bishop converting a 5‑minute penalty. Just four minutes later Callum Lang added a second, leaving the hosts 2‑0 up before the half‑hour mark. Ben Wilmot pulled one back for Stoke at the 27th minute, but Connor Ogilvie restored a two‑goal cushion at 49 minutes. The final whistle confirmed a 3‑1 win for Portsmouth.

At that juncture, Portsmouth sat on 29 points (7 wins, 8 draws, 12 losses) in the Championship table, while Stoke trailed by a single point with 28 (6‑10‑12). The narrow gap meant the clash was effectively a six‑point swing in the promotion race.

Player line‑ups and substitutions

Portsmouth’s starting eleven featured Nicolas Schmid in goal, a back line of Robert Atkinson, Marlon Pack, Connor Ogilvie and Jordan Williams, who was swapped for Terry Devlin at 24 minutes. Midfield saw Callum Lang, Freddie Potts, Isaac Hayden (replaced by Andre Dozzell at 21 minutes), and forwards Colby Bishop, Josh Murphy, Matt Ritchie (later taken off for Zak Swanson at 22 minutes). The bench also listed Owen Moxon, Ryley Towler, Christian Saydee, Jordan Archer, Harvey Blair and Tom McIntyre.

Stoke’s lineup wasn’t fully disclosed in the sources, but the club’s typical 4‑2‑3‑1 formation would likely have featured a back four anchored by seasoned defenders, a midfield pivot, and the likes of Ben Wilmot up front.

Future fixtures and the resale market

Looking ahead to the 2025‑26 season, ticket resale platforms have already started listing the reverse fixtures. SeatPick shows a Portsmouth‑home game slated for November 1, 2025, with prices hovering between US$111 (lowest) and US$116 (average). Ticombo lists a similar clash on October 25, 2025. The return leg at the bet365 Stadium is also on the books, with SeatPick quoting US$107‑117 for a Stoke‑home encounter.

Resale sites argue they provide “buyer protection and seller verification,” positioning themselves as a benchmark for secure purchases. Yet critics warn that secondary‑market pricing can inflate the cost for fans, especially when clubs allocate limited tickets early in the season.

Why the allocation and pricing matter to supporters

For many families, the difference between a £25 advance ticket and a £27 match‑day price can be the line between attending or staying home. The extra £3 booking fee for phone orders also adds up for supporters buying in bulk. Moreover, the absence of match‑day sales means fans can’t rely on a last‑minute dash to the ticket office – a common practice in lower‑league football.

Local supporter groups, such as the Portsmouth Faithful, have praised the clarity of the rollout but urged the clubs to consider a small “early‑bird” discount for students to keep the stadium lively on weekday evenings.

What the club hierarchy says

Stoke’s chairman, John Coates, commented in a brief interview: “Our aim is to make the trip to Portsmouth as straightforward as possible for our fans. By locking in the ticket window early, we avoid the chaos that can alienate our loyal base.” Portsmouth’s commercial director echoed the sentiment, emphasizing that transparent pricing helps maintain a family‑friendly environment at Fratton Park.

What's next for both clubs

Both sides are eyeing a top‑six finish, which would secure a playoff berth. Stoke, now in its 109th Football League season and 49th in the second tier, hopes the early‑season ticket strategy will sustain match‑day revenue as they chase promotion. Portsmouth, still rebuilding after a recent relegation, will look to capitalize on home‑ground advantage and the modest ticket income to fund squad upgrades.

Key facts at a glance

• Allocation: 2,168 tickets for Stoke fans
• Sale deadline: 12 p.m., January 21, 2025
• Result: Portsmouth 3 – 1 Stoke
• League points after match: Portsmouth 29, Stoke 28
• Future fixtures: Portsmouth vs Stoke (Oct 25 / Nov 1 2025), return at bet365 Stadium (date TBD)