We got a letter through the post this morning telling us that applications for a ballot were open and that only two tickets were allowed per person. I am quite upset about this as it does not guarantee you a ticket, and even if you do get them, you still aren't guaranteed entry . It seems to have gotten worse this year not better, and the only positive is that application is accessible online.

Personally it's not going to stop demand, as people are going to register almost every member in their family to have a chance at registering a ticket.

What are people opinions positive/negative?

Thanks cazzy xxxx

Did you get tickets for last years show - is that how you got a letter about the ballot? I got tickets this year but havent had a letter yet- though it is possible its arrived while I've been at work.
I dont think it will make a lot of difference to demand but it may mean that tickets can be more evenly distributed. I got tickets in the ballot for the Eurovision Dance Contest and once you'd got them you were guaranteed entry to the show which was better than having to wait and hope with Strictly

I think it is a fairer system- some people who want to apply will be at work/school etc in the two-three hours when the tickets are allocated. This way everyone has an equal chance in theory... although I think it would be a fairly easy system to abuse.
The tickets still don't guarantee entry though.

I notice you can request tickets for the final (22 Dec)- I thought that was only friends and family.

Yeah we did go to last years show. But I think katie_p is right it still will not guarantee entry I think. Still, hope you enjoyed the EDC, I missed it, I was in Greece

I think its a much better way of doing it!

Last year was a joke with people being cut off and placed on hold for hours!!! At least this year you can apply online!! And sure enough the tickets don't guarentee entry but they never have for scd!

maybe it was like that for you, but I got tickets pretty easily at least five hours after the phonelines had opened and two hours after they had supposedly closed.

It really is not ideal for people like me, I live in Manchester, and will have to start making plans for definite now, i.e travel arrangements hotels, I plan to go and see Joseph the same weekend as I have entered into the ballot for, I can't very well go and book those now, though they may have sold out by the time I do go to book (still they may have sold out now). It's just a tense way of application thats all

But even if you got through to the ticket office last year, and requested tickets, there was still no guarantee that you would get them as they had a reserve list as well in case people dropped out.

I didn't actually receive my tickets until about two days before the performance so I'm pretty sure I was on the reserve list! But I got in to see the show anyway

But you will have a definate answer in a couple of weeks. None of this wondering if you're getting them or not. So come the end of September you can make travel arrangements. You couldn't do that last year.

I think it's pretty fair, and I'm not sure why everyone is getting their knickers in a knot. In fact, the only ones that seem cross are the ones that went on more than one occation last year.

At least everyone has the same chance.

I think it's a much better system this year - whether I get tickets or not. At least we're all in with an equal chance

I agree.

Although in my head I've not really entertained the idea that I wouldn't get tickets...

well said!! totally agree

Not quite sure I understand the page on the BBC website : http://tickets.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/...wmcF9wYWdlPTE*
(oops sorry for the long link)

I get that you can only be successful once, so do you therefore apply for all the dates that you could go, or pick only one?

I understand it to mean if you apply more than once you will be allocated one of those applications at random (and the rest discarded). For that application you will then be entered into the lottery.

Oh, so you don't think they'll do a ballot for Oct 6, then remove all the successful people's other applications, then do Oct 13 and do the same, etc?
In that case do you need to think about applying for the one show that might be the least popular to have more of a chance?
I'm confused....

I've only just read all the info but from what I understand it sounds like you should try and pick the date you would prefer to go and also try and make it a date that might not be as popular. Although this might completely backfire if everyone tries to go for the 'least popular' dates lol.

I don't think it will work that way, but I could be wrong.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. I think the numbers will be high for every week, so whichever you choose it's down to luck. I'd hazard a guess that the early weeks (but not the first week) will receive the fewest applications, and the final the most, but that is pure guess work.

In your application please provide all contact information including email and daytime contact number. You may only register one application per person and all audience members must be 16 years or older.

This is taken from the Official Ticket site - it seems you can only make "ONE" application. Hope this helps

I have rung around friends today and asked them to register and although they all take the mickey out of me for what they call my - and I quote - ' geek addiction',they have all without exception said that if they get tickets they are coming with me!

I've applied for the 22nd December - It's my birthday. What a great present that would be esp with having such a crap birthday date!

I personally think it's fair for us working gals!

I totally agree. This is very fair, and much easier the previous method.

I sent my online application this evening. I never even thought of applying for a previous series because of the hours I work, but now I can. I'm really glad they changed it.

Good luck to everyone for getting the tickets they'd like.

I think it seems a fairer system . Especially good luck to you Lemon Lyman ...what a lovely Birthday treat that would be

I applied for 27th October as my Birthday is 26th so I can go and see my daughter who lives in London, and for the first time in ages spend a birthday with her

Me too applied for 27 October Was just thinking that - for those of us who actually DO get tickets ( ) - prob about 5 of us out of 50,000 , we won't know who each other are (if that makes sense !) Praps we should wear secret and discreet little ribbons to indicate being SCD forumites

Now I'm being sensible and realising that IF any of us do get tickets, we'll be squeeeing and shrieking the good news all over the forum, so there'll be plenty of time to say "I'll be there on such and such a date, and can be recognised by my gold lycra hotpants, and the rose behind my ear" Heh heh. Anyhoo, good luck everyone

Mine's the 28th so I've applied for the 27th as well

Apparently they announced on Radio One that tickets are available! I think there is going to be huge demand here

I've applied for 15 Dec- don't suppose I will get them but I can't go earlier than that.