SAINTS have announced that they have sold more season tickets ahead of their return to the Championship than they did in the lead-up to last season's Premier League campaign.

More than 3,000 people have become new season ticket holders, which is a new club record.

The club have also noted that this summer has seen the fastest season ticket sales in the past decade.

These figures come in the wake of the club recording both their highest and second-highest number of sales in a single day.

Southampton's season ticket audience is now the youngest it has been for the previous decade, with 22 per cent more people aged eight to 25 purchasing season tickets compared to the 2022-23 season.

The Northam Stand has seen an increase in ticket sales with 91 per cent of seats being sold as season tickets – a 13 per cent increase on figures from the whole of last season.

Season tickets are still available to be purchased, however, availability in the Northam Stand, Itchen Stand and Family Stand is now limited.

Speaking to the Daily Echo last month, director of football Jason Wilcox stressed the importance of the fans as Saints aim for an instant return to the Premier League.

He said: “We need to get behind the manager and players because they are going to need you, that’s really key – they are going to need you more than ever now.

"These supporters are loyal and they travel thick and thin and I think they’re going to see some unbelievable things this year. We need unwavering belief."

Russell Martin himself admitted he was surprised by the level of support ahead of Southampton's pre-season friendly against Reading last month, which was his first game as the club's manager on English soil.

The former Scotland international's side get their Championship campaign underway against Sheffield Wednesday on Friday, August 4.

Saints were granted an increased number of tickets for the game at Hillsborough, having previously sold out their initial away allocation.

Southampton's first game of the season at St Mary's is against Norwich City, where Martin spent time during his playing career, on Saturday, August 12.

Away tickets for the club's second away game of the Championship season, against Plymouth Argyle, have also sold out.