OC fans adjusting well to new way of buying tickets for high school sporting events

A big crowd turned out Friday night for the final day of the Pacific Coast League tournament at Portola. Woodbridge (right) competed against Portola. Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Hundreds of fans showed up at Portola High School Friday night for the final day of the Pacific Coast League boys basketball tournament and they were admitted just by showing on their smart phone they had purchased the tickets on the GoFan app.

No cash, no tickets needed … and fans seem to be accepting this new way of attending games after an initial adjustment and a learning curve.

It was a system implemented by the CIF officials after fans were allowed back into stadiums and gymnasiums for safety and health reasons following the coronavirus pandemic and it appears the system is here to stay.

“No more cash ever again, it’s so much easier and safer,” said Portola Athletic Director Peter Abe, who was at the ticket table Friday night. “And, it’s much cleaner and more efficent for record keeping sake.”

Athletic directors and coaches have been promoting their CIF playoff games this week, adding that tickets can be purchased on the GoFan App.

Woodbridge Athletic Director Rick Gibson also likes the system.

“The benefits are accounting is very simple,” he said. “GoFan sends an electronic payment soon after the week is complete. They combine whatever sports are involved. Once the learning curve, for both the ticket taker and the fan happens, it’s fairly seemless. Some people who are less tech savy than others causes slight problems.”

At Santa Ana High School, Athletic Director Brian Lillie said the program uses GoFan for the CIF playoffs, but has stuck with traditional ticket taking during the regular season because “too many students and parents don’t have access. Even for CIF (playoff) games, I get approval to also sell cash tickets.”

As for the fan who decides to come to a game at the last moment, officials also have a plan.

“They can purchase early or using the QR code or link at the door with their phone,” said Abe, who is also Portola’s football coach.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com