New Stadium Capacity (now c.17,800)

[Beanzz]

I believe that is an untruth...why would you spend £400 or so to go to 1 game

I know someone who does just that, he lives in London and uses it just for Old Firm matches. He offers his season ticket to family & friends for every other home match very few take him up on the offer, it's all a bit strange up in Glasgow.

 

[Beanzz]

I had 3 seats to my right free in the west stand.
I would like to see ticket sales open to non-members as the last sales window, I'm most of us know someone who isn't a Bee's fans and unwilling to pay for membership but would love to attend a Premier League match, eat some Samosas and wash them down with an ice cold London Pride.

 

[jlove]

Virtually none of the seats in the corner above the ‘Bee Together’ sign (maybe 50 plus) were taken. I wondered if this was an area the club had to reserve for PL ‘dignitaries’ who just didn’t bother coming along.

This has been noted before (actually in the South-West corner). ISTR it was concluded these were part of the "excess" over the 17,250 that is presumably the licensed capacity at present.

 

[GuyBee]

The 2 ends of the South Stand were full today, empty before

They werent. They had a handful of people in, between 5-10 but they were nowhere near even half full

 

[hobbsy]

They werent. They had a handful of people in, between 5-10 but they were nowhere near even half full

They can't be sold as you can only access them through the lounges and the lounges are full to the brim.

They are trying to put some comps in there like players families etc.

 

[GuyBee]

I know people (members) that wanted to come but couldn't get a ticket. The ticket exchange needs to open earlier and be made more public. The window to buy tickets from there is too short.

eg I know a Bees irregular (member) who wants to go to games, but apart from us ST holders he doesn't have other Bees Members to go with. If a week before he could get say 3 tickets to go with his mates, he would come along more often. And yes a slight risk of getting away fans in home seats, but if the tickets are tied to his membership, he can pay the consequences of any misbehaviour

 

[jlove]

I'm sure that previously there were ticket sales to 'previous purchasers' and it's reasonable to assume that the Club will still be able to recognise a large number of those that have previously bought tickets. Perhaps this may be used as a third-class qualification for late purchases?

 

[Banana]

The problem is that you WILL get away fans in home ends. This is already causing some friction at the back of the South Stand where sponsors tickets are going to away fans etc.

For Grade B games where the away end doesn't sell out with a day or so remaining until the fixture then, yes, it's possible. But yet another permutation for our creaky ticket sales process to survive. And for that reason it won't happen.

 

[Banana]

I'm sure that previously there were ticket sales to 'previous purchasers' and it's reasonable to assume that the Club will still be able to recognise a large number of those that have previously bought tickets. Perhaps this may be used as a third-class qualification for late purchases?

These "previous purchases" will have TAPs though (by definition), so just need to set a low TAPs threshold.

 

[Untouchable]

They can't be sold as you can only access them through the lounges and the lounges are full to the brim.

They are trying to put some comps in there like players families etc.

Access is very limited at that end of the stadium. I assume the lift would stop at the back of the second floor but that’s not realistic not least because it’s in near constant use during the game. There is also a staircase at the west end of the South Stand but is that meant to be primarily an emergency exit?

 

[jlove]

These "previous purchases" will have TAPs though (by definition), so just need to set a low TAPs threshold.

Why didn't I think of that?! Something like 25 TAP's would mean at least 2 games. That should do it.

 

[ruislip bee]

They can't be sold as you can only access them through the lounges and the lounges are full to the brim.

They are trying to put some comps in there like players families etc.

Thanks Hobbsy that explains it. It's been bugging me that these were unused previously and only partially used on Saturday

 

[Babbelfish]

This has been noted before (actually in the South-West corner). ISTR it was concluded these were part of the "excess" over the 17,250 that is presumably the licensed capacity at present.

If the most we can sell is 17,250 then the number of empty seats on Saturday (732) doesn’t seem so bad, especially once you’ve taken out the seats lost through segregation (350?)

 

[badgerbee]

If the most we can sell is 17,250 then the number of empty seats on Saturday (732) doesn’t seem so bad, especially once you’ve taken out the seats lost through segregation (350?)

But we're still not sure if the official "attendance" (16,518) includes tickets sold where people aren't in the ground I.e. ST 'no-shows', tickets purchased by touts but not sold etc.
Or are we?? (I'm losing track.....)

 

[Brentford Bob]

That's the south stand not North. Pic taken from the west stand I believe.

Yeah my mistake.

bit worrying for someone who’s worked in ATC for thirty years….

 

[GABS]

Obviously the extra 5k of ST holders we gained from the last year at GP are less loyal than those who were making up the original 6K. I am not having a dig but where did the come from and when we were still in the champ. It's quite a jump in one year?

New ground effect perhaps as we weren't in the Prem when those STs were sold? My reasoning for buying a ST, even in the Championship, was that where I previously could rock up to a game on the Ealing Road and meet my pals I wouldn't be able to do the same if they had ST seats in the new stadium and I was still only a member. I'm sure plenty of other members also upgraded to a ST for similar reasons.

 

[West Wilts Bee]

Two empty seats next to me in the south stand, mind you that may have been in the same row as bee goods. But looking around the ground i could see quite a few spaces. These seats need to be filled up via TE.

 

[westwing]

My view of the North stand at 3:30pm on Saturday. I‘d be livid if I couldn’t have bought a ticket for the game….View attachment 27560

That's not the North Stand!

 

[westwing]

The 2 x narrow end blocks at the top of the South Stand were near enough empty again on Saturday?

 

[hobbsy]

The 2 x narrow end blocks at the top of the South Stand were near enough empty again on Saturday?

See #305

 

[TadB]

If we had given Brighton 3,500 tickets they would have sold them. The stadium is too small for Premier League but as you’ve said before, we don’t want masses of day trippers.

I agree the Stadium is too small. We might not want 'Day Trippers' but day trippers would bring in revenue, away fans bring in revenue. More revenue means more profit, more profit means better players. That said, we have what we have, we are grateful for it, and have to get on with things as they are.

 

[westwing]

I agree the Stadium is too small. We might not want 'Day Trippers' but day trippers would bring in revenue, away fans bring in revenue. More revenue means more profit, more profit means better players. That said, we have what we have, we are grateful for it, and have to get on with things as they are.

The Day Trippers spoil everything about the real experience.
We will get some, but best limit the numbers otherwise the place will turn in to a library.

 

[ruislip bee]

I agree the Stadium is too small. We might not want 'Day Trippers' but day trippers would bring in revenue, away fans bring in revenue. More revenue means more profit, more profit means better players. That said, we have what we have, we are grateful for it, and have to get on with things as they are.

I'm surprised we dont serve beer in the away section. That would certainly be a profit stream.

 

[rebus]

I'm surprised we dont serve beer in the away section. That would certainly be a profit stream.

Why do you think we don’t serve beer to away fans? I know the answer.

 

[Guildford Bee]

Why do you think we don’t serve beer to away fans? I know the answer.

I’m assuming the same reason we’ve put them in the corner…

 

[ruislip bee]

Why do you think we don’t serve beer to away fans? I know the answer.

Presumably to keep them sober or let them sober up. Probably requires less security too.

 

[Herbert]

The problem is that you WILL get away fans in home ends. This is already causing some friction at the back of the South Stand where sponsors tickets are going to away fans etc.

For Grade B games where the away end doesn't sell out with a day or so remaining until the fixture then, yes, it's possible. But yet another permutation for our creaky ticket sales process to survive. And for that reason it won't happen.

But its ok/worth the risk for the expensive tickets.

 

[Herbert]

Atmosphere was cask too.

Didnt take long for the novelty to wear off

 

[TW3Bee]

That's the south stand not North. Pic taken from the west stand I believe.

Block numbers say it's the South Stand

 

[Brentford 4 Life]

Why do you think we don’t serve beer to away fans? I know the answer.

Because football supporters are treated like criminals

 

[bexleybee]

Presumably Liverpool at home will set a new record and push the number closer to 17k with a bunch of the corporate tickets actually being used

 

[Jay Bee]

I agree the Stadium is too small. We might not want 'Day Trippers' but day trippers would bring in revenue, away fans bring in revenue. More revenue means more profit, more profit means better players. That said, we have what we have, we are grateful for it, and have to get on with things as they are.

And some of today's day trippers will be tomorrow's fans.
Not all of them - not the away fans in disguise, nor the ground hoppers - but some local day trippers will say "that was fun, when's the next game"?

The biggest issue here is why were there 100+ unsold tickets on the exchange on Saturday morning (per @badgerbee ) when the game was sold out to members within hours. Need earlier and better access to the ticket exchange and as much promotion as possible.
How about as soon as it sells out, a member can register for a email for a warning over when the exchange opens?
How about, once we are fully in the routine of selling tickets six weeks in advance, the exchange should always open a fixed number of days before the match - 10 days? 14 days? Rather than a 48 hour rush starting the Tuesday beforehand.

This is separate from the attendance issue however as I believe unused season tickets, and unused premium / lounge spots are still "sold tickets" and therefore still count in the attendance.

 

[marvelous007]

The problem is that you WILL get away fans in home ends. This is already causing some friction at the back of the South Stand where sponsors tickets are going to away fans etc.

For Grade B games where the away end doesn't sell out with a day or so remaining until the fixture then, yes, it's possible. But yet another permutation for our creaky ticket sales process to survive. And for that reason it won't happen.

If it's causing friction now, wait to we play Ful*am again!.

 

[AB]

And some of today's day trippers will be tomorrow's fans.
Not all of them - not the away fans in disguise, nor the ground hoppers - but some local day trippers will say "that was fun, when's the next game"?

The biggest issue here is why were there 100+ unsold tickets on the exchange on Saturday morning (per @badgerbee ) when the game was sold out to members within hours. Need earlier and better access to the ticket exchange and as much promotion as possible.
How about as soon as it sells out, a member can register for a email for a warning over when the exchange opens?
How about, once we are fully in the routine of selling tickets six weeks in advance, the exchange should always open a fixed number of days before the match - 10 days? 14 days? Rather than a 48 hour rush starting the Tuesday beforehand.

This is separate from the attendance issue however as I believe unused season tickets, and unused premium / lounge spots are still "sold tickets" and therefore still count in the attendance.

It is weird exchange tickets aren’t all selling out when they’re all likely to be really good seats too.

 

[Banana]

It is weird exchange tickets aren’t all selling out when they’re all likely to be really good seats too.

NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT THE SECRET EXCHANGE

They go to the ticketing website and are informed the match is Sold Out!

 

[ruislip bee]

NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT THE SECRET EXCHANGE

They go to the ticketing website and are informed the match is Sold Out!

Secret exchange, secret door from the dug out to a secret tunnel. What ever next?

 

[TW3Bee]

The Day Trippers spoil everything about the real experience.
We will get some, but best limit the numbers otherwise the place will turn in to a library.

You saw what happened with Day Trippers at the FGR game.

 

[hanworthbee]

Yep day trippers ruined that game as constantly up and down up and down they didn't know where to sit arriving late ..I'm happy with the capacity and if we wanted a day tripper area stick them in the same bit !

 

[taxi driver]

Yep loads of empty seats around me in the East Stand.

Were you waxing lyrical about the bloody cricket?

 

[alexcavell]

The Day Trippers spoil everything about the real experience.
We will get some, but best limit the numbers otherwise the place will turn in to a library.

Exactly. Better atmosphere with 4k diehards against Bournemouth than the 16k mix vs Brighton.

 

[moribee]

The secret door from Dug out maybe a security thing for players families but surprised they on train

 

[GuyBee]

They can't be sold as you can only access them through the lounges and the lounges are full to the brim.

They are trying to put some comps in there like players families etc.

That sounds like a design error..... Building seats that cant be used

 

[peterwey]

Young American couple with two children under two years sat in front of us in North Stand. Kids behaved well but they all left just after half time. Sounded as if it was their first visit to a soccer match in UK. How could they have got tickets?

 

[TW3Bee]

Young American couple with two children under two years sat in front of us in North Stand. Kids behaved well but they all left just after half time. Sounded as if it was their first visit to a soccer match in UK. How could they have got tickets?

And why leave at half time?

 

[Edmundo]

And why leave at half time?

They're American, maybe they didn't realise it wasn't over?

 

[GuyBee]

They're American.

Corrected it for you

 

[GABS]

So the Chelsea away end allocation is 1637 which should be 10% of capacity, right? So the official capacity is 16,370?

Brentford away ticket news | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club

A ticket and travel update for our away game at Brentford next month...

www.chelseafc.com

 

[hobbsy]

So the Chelsea away end allocation is 1637 which should be 10% of capacity, right? So the official capacity is 16,370?

Brentford away ticket news | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club

A ticket and travel update for our away game at Brentford next month...

www.chelseafc.com

Not necessarily, you can allocate less than 10% if the Premier League agrees. It could be to do with segregation and how the blocks are configured.

 

[HaylingBee74]

That sounds like a design error..... Building seats that cant be used

And a potential safety problem?

 

[Banana]

So the Chelsea away end allocation is 1637 which should be 10% of capacity, right? So the official capacity is 16,370?

Brentford away ticket news | Official Site | Chelsea Football Club

A ticket and travel update for our away game at Brentford next month...

www.chelseafc.com

Maybe Chelsea have decided to take fewer tickets. We may have offered them 1600 on Sale or Return or 3000 on Guaranteed Sales. So perhaps being a small club they are concerned at not selling-out