SEASON ticket books will be replaced by swipe cards at Oxford United next season as part of a new partnership with Ticketmaster.

The news of a new five-year arrangement has come ahead of the club announcing the prices for next season, which is expected next week.

It will allow United to launch a package which will reward supporters who watch the team week-in, week-out.

Kevin Smith, United’s director of business operations, said: “Most importantly, this new system will enable us to begin our loyalty project – recording and rewarding supporter behaviour across the club.”

Work has begun on installing the Access Manager system and it is planned season ticket holders will receive their new card in mid-July.

It is hoped the barcode system will also benefit fans without season tickets.

The introduction of ‘Ticketfast’ will allow tickets to be bought online and printed at home, removing postage costs and reducing queues for collection on a match day.

It will operate as an alternative to the existing methods of buying tickets over the phone or in person.