SPFL club announces a major milestone that could influence Celtic and Rangers fans.

St Johnstone have confirmed a major season ticket sales achievement ahead of their return to the Scottish Premiership, a development that could have significant implications for Celtic and Rangers supporters planning trips to Perth during the upcoming campaign.

The Perth-based club announced that more than 2,000 season tickets have already been sold for the 2026/27 season. The milestone represents a strong show of support from the Saints faithful following the club’s successful promotion back to Scotland’s top division.

After suffering relegation, St Johnstone wasted little time in re-establishing themselves among the country’s elite. Under the leadership of highly regarded head coach Simo Valakari, the club secured an immediate return to the Premiership by winning the Scottish Championship at the first attempt. The achievement has generated renewed optimism around McDiarmid Park, with supporters eager to back the team as they prepare for the challenges of top-flight football once again.

The impressive early season ticket sales are not only important for St Johnstone’s own ambitions but are also attracting considerable attention from supporters of Celtic and Rangers. The reason for that interest stems from ongoing discussions regarding away ticket allocations at McDiarmid Park for Old Firm matches.

As things currently stand, St Johnstone intend to allocate three of the stadium’s four stands to visiting supporters when either Celtic or Rangers travel to Perth. The proposal would result in thousands of away fans occupying a substantial portion of the 10,000-capacity venue during those fixtures.

However, the decision has sparked considerable debate among the St Johnstone fanbase. Many supporters voiced frustration and disappointment at the prospect of seeing the majority of the stadium occupied by away fans during some of the club’s biggest home matches of the season.

The concerns expressed by supporters prompted a direct response from club owner Adam Webb, who addressed the issue in a detailed open letter to fans. In that statement, Webb acknowledged the widespread dissatisfaction and outlined a potential solution that would allow more St Johnstone supporters to attend those high-profile fixtures.

According to Webb, the club carried out a detailed financial assessment to determine what level of season ticket sales would be required to justify reducing the allocation provided to Celtic and Rangers supporters. Following that review, St Johnstone established a target of 3,800 season ticket sales.

If that figure is reached, the club has pledged to limit visiting supporters from Celtic and Rangers to just two stands rather than three. Such a move would allow St Johnstone to retain the East Stand for home supporters, something many fans have strongly advocated for since the plans first emerged.

Webb explained that maintaining the East Stand as a home section would inevitably reduce the club’s income compared to selling three stands to away supporters. Nevertheless, he indicated that reaching the 3,800-ticket threshold would provide enough financial security to make that compromise viable.

In his message to supporters, Webb acknowledged that the club could have communicated the challenge more effectively from the outset. He admitted that the season ticket target should have been presented to fans much earlier and framed as a collective objective that supporters could help achieve.

The American businessman stated that the club should have made every effort from the beginning to encourage fans to rally behind the campaign. While recognising the timing of the announcement was not ideal, he expressed hope that supporters would appreciate the club’s willingness to revisit the issue and provide a pathway toward a more favourable arrangement.

Webb stressed that St Johnstone’s preference would be to keep the East Stand available for home supporters whenever Celtic and Rangers visit McDiarmid Park. However, he also made clear that financial realities must be considered when making decisions that could impact club revenues.

Should the club fail to achieve the target of 3,800 season ticket sales, the current plan would remain in place. Under that scenario, East Stand season ticket holders would be required to relocate for matches against Celtic and Rangers.

To minimise disruption, the club has committed to ensuring that affected supporters receive seats that closely match their usual locations. Webb explained that fans displaced from the East Stand would be offered comparable seating in the Geoff Brown Stand during those fixtures.

He also assured supporters that the club is working closely with its new ticketing partner to create a fair and efficient process. The objective is to allow season ticket holders to select equivalent seats themselves rather than having locations assigned automatically.

Furthermore, supporters who move to alternative seats for Celtic and Rangers matches would be able to retain those same positions for every affected fixture throughout the season. This approach is intended to provide consistency and reduce inconvenience for loyal fans.

The club has promised to release further information regarding the relocation process once the system has been finalised. Webb indicated that ensuring a smooth and transparent procedure remains a priority.

The open letter addressed several other topics related to the future of McDiarmid Park and the matchday experience. Among the most notable announcements was confirmation of plans to cover the stadium’s safe-standing section.

The safe-standing area is currently situated within one of the sections earmarked for visiting supporters under the existing allocation proposal. Improvements to that part of the stadium are viewed as part of the club’s broader commitment to enhancing facilities and creating a better experience for supporters.

For many St Johnstone fans, the season ticket campaign has now become about more than simply securing entry to home matches. It has evolved into a wider effort to influence how the stadium will be configured for some of the most anticipated fixtures of the season.

Reaching the 2,000-ticket mark represents an encouraging step toward the 3,800 target established by the club. The figure means St Johnstone are now more than halfway toward achieving the number required to trigger a reduction in away allocations for Celtic and Rangers supporters.

While there is still significant work to be done before the target is reached, the latest sales update provides evidence that supporters are responding positively to the challenge. The coming weeks will be crucial as the club continues its push toward the landmark figure.

With the Scottish Premiership fixture list scheduled to be released on June 18, interest in season tickets is likely to increase further. Supporters will soon learn when St Johnstone are set to host Celtic and Rangers, potentially adding further momentum to the campaign.

Whether the club ultimately reaches the 3,800-ticket threshold remains to be seen. However, one thing is already clear: the level of fan engagement generated by the debate has underlined the passion of the St Johnstone support and highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong home presence at McDiarmid Park.

As preparations continue for life back in the Premiership, St Johnstone’s season ticket drive remains one of the most closely watched off-field developments in Scottish football. The outcome could ultimately determine how many Celtic and Rangers supporters are welcomed into the stadium when the league’s biggest clubs make the trip to Perth next season.