House of Lords Alumni Reception 2026 – Ballot Entry Terms & Conditions
Tickets for the House of Lords Alumni Reception 2026 will be allocated at random via a ballot system. This decision was made in response to the huge interest in this annual event.
In previous years, the event has sold out within days, resulting in disappointment for many of our alumni.
In order to make the system fairer for all, we have implemented the following ballot system, comprising two draws.
1. Terms
1.1. We are the Campaigns and Alumni Relations Office at the University of Sheffield. Related expressions such as us or our, should be read accordingly. Our address is The Rotunda, Firth Court, Sheffield, S10 2TN.
1.2. Applicants are alumni of the University of Sheffield eligible to enter one or more of the draws allocating tickets for the House of Lords Alumni Reception 2026.
2. Priority Draw
2.1. There will be a priority draw open to those alumni who are part of the University of Sheffield recognition circles.
2.2. Only those alumni who receive an email inviting them to apply for the priority draw have the right to apply for entry in this draw.
2.3. Each priority draw entry grants the applicant the chance to purchase up to 2 tickets.
2.4. The closing date to apply for the priority draw is midnight Tuesday 27 January 2026.
2.5. The priority draw will take place by Thursday 29 January 2026, and you will be notified by the end of the week.
2.6. Priority draw entries will be drawn at random.
2.7. All applicants will be notified via email during the week following the draw informing them whether their entry has been drawn in the ballot.
2.8. Unsuccessful priority entries will be included in the General Draw and the General Draw terms below will apply.
2.9. Tickets are priced at £67.00 each (incl. VAT) and those who are successful in the draw should make payment on or before Wednesday 4 February 2026.
2.10. Successful applicants who fail to pay for their ticket/s on or before the deadline may forfeit their ticket/s. These tickets will be available for purchase for those on a waiting list.
2.11. Our cancellation policy applies for all tickets successfully purchased.
3. General Draw
3.1. Following the priority draw, the general draw will open to all University of Sheffield alumni based in the UK, for whom we have an email address and a completed ballot entry form.
3.2. All applicants that are unsuccessful in securing a ticket(s) in the priority draw will automatically be added to the general ballot.
3.3. Each general draw ballot entry grants the applicant the chance to purchase up to 2 tickets.
3.4. The closing date to apply for the general draw is midnight on Wednesday 18 February 2026.
3.5. The general draw will take place by Monday 23 February 2026, and you will be notified by the end of the week.
3.6. All applicants will be notified via email during the week following the draw informing them whether their entry has been drawn in the ballot.
3.7. Tickets are priced at £67.00 each (incl. VAT) and those who are successful in the draw should make payment on or before Sunday 8 March 2026.
3.8. Successful applicants who fail to pay for their ticket/s on or before the deadline may forfeit their ticket/s. These tickets will be available for purchase for those on a waiting list.
3.9. Our cancellation policy applies for all tickets successfully purchased.
4. Last minute tickets
4.1. Following the Priority Draw and General Draw, there may tickets eligible for purchase after the payment deadline.
4.2. Entries which were unsuccessful in the Priority Draw and the General Draw will be eligible for last minute tickets.
4.3. If unsuccessful in the ballot, you will be placed on a waiting list and notified by email to purchase your last minute ticket.
4.4. Tickets are priced at £67.00 each (incl. VAT).
4.5. Last minute tickets are available to purchase on a first come, first served basis. Your ticket is not confirmed until you have received receipt of payment.
4.6. Our cancellation policy applies for all tickets successfully purchased.