Which seats in Croker

[Dotsy]

Given that it looks like those on the waiting list are going to able to get tickets :) can anybody recommend which of the seats on offer are the best. I think I'll go with the Lower canal stand. €70 is a bit steep for the the lower Hogan/Cusak and from what I have heard the upper levels would give you a nosebleed.

[Drumcondra Red]

I'm about to send off my application too, I think Canal lower is the way to go anyone else???

[Ash]

Cusack/Hogan Lower are the best views (imho).

GAA pitch is longer then a "soccer" pitch so when they redo
the markings the Canal will be farther away from pitch.

The upper Canal (or Davin) puts you in the clouds!

[Drumcondra Red]

You can't beat behind the goal, we need confirmation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[samabu92]

Were all going for upper Hogan or Cusack. Class view from up there..Lower tiers are ok but if in the first few rows, it is too low.

[Drumcondra Red]

Its horrible up there!!! I went for Lower Canal, plus I'm not great with heights normally in stadiums I'm ok, but Croke Park is a nightmare!!!

[theleprechaun]

am as yet undecided. i have never been to croker myself so any other help would be great

[Kingdom]

Tricky one this. I've been in all levels and sides and there is a massive difference. As someone has already pointed out, because the pitch is so long, being behind a goal close to the pitch will give you a poor view. The best view is probably the middle lower section of the cusack is excellent, but I want to be in the singing section so I'll probably apply for lower davin.

[Louth4sam]

Just got my letter today. So is lower davin gonna be the singing section?

[onenilgameover]

I'm going for upper hogan or cusack too...!

70 quid is just mad money to pay....

[citizenerased]

tricky one all right, not mad to pay 70, but if ya get tickets for the very back of the upper stands, it will be horrendus

[passinginterest]

If ya have good eye sight the back of the upper stands is not so bad! First time I was in the new stand was Leinster hurling final 1997, I thought view was great and thats with a tiny hurling ball. The steepness of the stands does scare the bejasus out of me though. Atmosphere on the top levels under the roof can be fantastic with all the noise trapped in. Don't think there's really a bad seat in Croker these days although with the smaller pitch behind the goals might be a good distance away from the action.

[citizenerased]

yeah i think the davin/canal lower is a definite no no,, decided to go with upper hogan in the end!

[elroy]

Is it only block bookers who has got letters or have those on the waiting list got one as well??

[WexDec]

Waiting list as well. 7 of us on it and and all got letters. Was very surprised, pleasantly, the more recent 5Kers got one. Seems they just want to sell as many seats as they can before goes to general sale. Maybe GS will be buying tickets for 2 adjacent matches instead of all 4 so makes sense.

[shakermaker1982]

I'm paying the full 70 euro's. It should be worth it. If I see them take 12 points it will be definitely worth the money!

[WexDec]

I'm thinking the 20 quid premium for lower cusack/hogan is worth it. Have been to many matches in Croker and the upper sections can be very high and I'd prefer to be closer to the pitch. Also not a great fan of behind goal views but the point made here about there being a gap to the goal cos of shorter pitch size has made my mind up. I'll write the 80 quid (20 X 4) difference off to the absence of friendlies :rolleyes:

[WexDec]

Anybody know what the story is regarding putting in joint apps / getting grouped together or the perceived "realistic level" when requesting additional seats for that matter ? We're probably going to drop in our forms together to HQ.....maybe stapled to make the point ! :D

On that I would assume it would be easier to get grouped on the bigger side stands.

[gspain]

Anybody know what the story is regarding putting in joint apps / getting grouped together or the perceived "realistic level" when requesting additional seats for that matter ? We're probably going to drop in our forms together to HQ.....maybe stapled to make the point ! :D

On that I would assume it would be easier to get grouped on the bigger side stands.

No idea but worth including a letter and sending the applications in together.

[reder]

Anybody know what the story is regarding putting in joint apps / getting grouped together or the perceived "realistic level" when requesting additional seats for that matter ? We're probably going to drop in our forms together to HQ.....maybe stapled to make the point ! :D

On that I would assume it would be easier to get grouped on the bigger side stands.

If you are a block booker you MIGHT be ok. If your on the waiting list and this is your first time getting allocated tickets, I would be very surprised if they do this for you. I have been a block booker since the mid 90's and tried to get a move from the west upper centre in Lansdowne to the east for years with no joy!

On the location on seats, I hope they give existing block bookers/waiting list people the best seats in each category, we are the people who have gone to games for years. If I am stuck in a corner block in the canal lower and the centre blocks are full of corps or freebies or general sale people I will livid. I cant imagine that we will be any further away from the pitch than we were in Germany.

As for the view, was only in Croke Park once and the view from midway up the centre of the hogan stand lower was ok, but not worth €70 or €60 as it was for that game. I was on a company freebie so I didnt care. Be careful if you selected the lower hogan or cusack as you have a very good chance of an excellent soaking if it rains for your €70. Dont know if the roof covers the lower canal.

The upper tiers seem an awful long way back. They reminded me of the away fans section in St. James Park Newcastle. Its like watching subbuteo.

Pity the away fans! Are they being charged €50 for their end. Thats robbery alright cos its no better than the north terrace at lansdowne i'd imagine. (I assume that the away end is normally a terrace and temporary seating is being put in place, just like lansdowne.)

[WexDec]

Understandable for Lansdowne but surely Croker is a bit of a clean slate (was saying clean sheet and then thought nah thats tempting fate) allocation wise unless are already at the stage of trying to fill in singles spotted around the place which I'd doubt it, thats what the general sale "should" do.

[WexDec]

On the location on seats, I hope they give existing block bookers/waiting list people the best seats in each category, we are the people who have gone to games for years. If I am stuck in a corner block in the canal lower and the centre blocks are full of corps or freebies or general sale people I will livid. I cant imagine that we will be any further away from the pitch than we were in Germany.

As for the view, was only in Croke Park once and the view from midway up the centre of the hogan stand lower was ok, but not worth €70 or €60 as it was for that game. I was on a company freebie so I didnt care. Be careful if you selected the lower hogan or cusack as you have a very good chance of an excellent soaking if it rains for your €70. Dont know if the roof covers the lower canal.

The upper tiers seem an awful long way back. They reminded me of the away fans section in St. James Park Newcastle. Its like watching subbuteo.

Yeah been to many matches at Croker and of course it rarely rains given the time of year the matches are played but if it does the lower tiers up to just under half way back should get soaked as have seen/experience on occassion and wouldn't trust March and October at all !

50 quid for upper all in all seems better value. A trade off between cover, elevation (being at pitch level not everyone's cup of tea either) and of course price. Back of the lower is ideal but front of the upper is good value at 20 quid less. Could end up paying 70 quid what is technically a lower tier Cusack/Hogan but the guy practically next to you is paying 50 for Canal lower ! That would get in your craw after 4 matches. Have sat in the rafters and its very high alright but hoping these will be general sale seats.

Being a pessimist/realist about these things though I'd nearly expect them to just fill it left to right, front to back. Have seen this brute force method used enough times at different venues to not be surprised at it and its not a seating plan they're used to. Are more just wanting to get the thing sold out any which way for obvious financial reasons.

[WexDec]

Pity the away fans! Are they being charged €50 for their end. Thats robbery alright cos its no better than the north terrace at lansdowne i'd imagine. (I assume that the away end is normally a terrace and temporary seating is being put in place, just like lansdowne.)

Correct AFAIK about bucket seating on the hill. Something like 6,800 I heard though ! I can imagine what the Germans and Slovaks will think of paying 50 quid for that given their usual prices........especially if it rains :D

[highlight100]

Upper Hogan for me,is quite a good view and if it's windy it usually blows into the Cusack.

[elroy]

How many do ye reckon will be sold before it goes on general sale?

I have a good few lads who havent been to too many matches in the past who are asking me to put them down for the four games. I reckon there could be 45k-50k sold before any general sale.

[Bluetonic]

I have a good few lads who havent been to too many matches in the past who are asking me to put them down for the four games. I reckon there could be 45k-50k sold before any general sale.

If they sell 50k, that will leave roughly only 5k for general sale, not a lot to be honest.

[elroy]

AFAIK all the corporate and premium level tickets were over subscribed.

I really hope we fill the place for all four, would really stick it up to one or two begrudgers.

[gspain]

Caveat - Last time I was in Croke Park I was 7 (it's amazing how much sense you get when you turn 8 :D ).

However from reading here and talking to friends who do go regularly (at least everytime Cork are there anyway). I've also got some conflicting info
so please just take as a guide.

Best seats are at the back of the Lower Hogan Stand and Lower Cusack Stand. Rows go from A to Z then AA to ZZ. My mate reckons anything from AA back is perfect - nice height and out of the rain. I see the GAA website only claims EE back is covered though. Best sections are 328-333 and 304-309. It's worth the extra €20 if you get the right seats.

Personally I hate watching football from great heights. I used to hate anything from row 15 back in the West Stand and even more so the upper reaches of the East Stand. The front of the Upper Hogan Stand and Upper Cusack Stand are meant to have great views if you can stick heights. Blocks 728-733 and 704-709 are best.

The Canal Stand (behind the goal) is bad value if priced (which it is) the same as the stands on the side of the pitch. Aparently the upper deck here though is much better than the lower one. You will be along way from the action here.

The Away fans are at the other end on an open terrace which will have bucket seats installed.

no fences, no poles, no pillars in the way anywhere.

In many cases we'll just have to take whatever tickets we get anyway however if you do have a choice of tickets thorugh a club or league then the above might help.

[gspain]

AFAIK all the corporate and premium level tickets were over subscribed.

I really hope we fill the place for all four, would really stick it up to one or two begrudgers.

I can see it selling out easily and being way oversubscribed too. I can't see the public sale lasting longer than an hour or 2.

However the away ends probably won't be full for Slovakia and Cyprus. There may be enough slovaks here to buy them. I assume Cyprus will go on general sale but at that stage it will depend on the where we stand in the group.

[NeilMcD]

I have been on the Upper tier a number of times and I like the view to be honest. I think you get a much better view of how the game is working out tactically etc. That is why I always thing its stupid that managers stay in their dugouts as you can see very little from pitch level. The best place to be is the lower part of the Uppper Tier.

[Beavis]

I'd say the upper Canal would be best for the signing so I'm going there. It was the best for the singing when the Hill was gone that Championship year.

€50 though, the FAI are robbing fcuking wakners, pssing all over the very fans that have stood by through their farcical policies of the past.

[paul_oshea]

70,000 X 15 euro per ticket still doesnt cover the 1.5 mil per game to pay the G.A.A. rent, so taking that into account its slightly cheaper than an east upper ticket...... i know corporate boxes and the likes, but i reckno some of them are being given to the G.A.A too, but I stand to be corrected.

[passerrby]

anybody know if its possible to hang big flags in the ground

[Bluetonic]

i know corporate boxes and the likes, but i reckno some of them are being given to the G.A.A too, but I stand to be corrected.

The corporate boxes are owned by individual companies. They bought the boxes for all events to be played at Croke Park, be that soccer, rugby, gaa, concerts etc.., The FAI will only have control of a few corporate boxes, namely the 10 or so which still remain unsold and the few extra ones which BOI and Guinness get as part of their GAA sponsorship.

[elroy]

The corporate boxes are owned by individual companies. They bought the boxes for all events to be played at Croke Park, be that soccer, rugby, gaa, concerts etc.., The FAI will only have control of a few corporate boxes, namely the 10 or so which still remain unsold and the few extra ones which BOI and Guinness get as part of their GAA sponsorship.

Surely that cant be the case, or at least the FAI is getting a cut of the fee paid for the boxes. It would be ridiculous for them to recieve nothing for them.


Regarding the price of tickets, i think 50/70 and i think the hill is cheaper is fair value. Gaa finals are 60 no matter where you sit, rumoured to hit 70 this year. The rugby tickets are much more expensive so overall i think its reasonable.
As for sitting in the canal end, be aware that the goalposts are going to be on the 21 yard lines, so you would be a decent distance back.

[passinginterest]

Surely that cant be the case, or at least the FAI is getting a cut of the fee paid for the boxes. It would be ridiculous for them to recieve nothing for them.

I believe this is 100% correct. The corporate boxes are purchased by individuals/companies for ALL events in Croke Park. FAI will have no income from them as outlined above.

[reder]

I believe this is 100% correct. The corporate boxes are purchased by individuals/companies for ALL events in Croke Park. FAI will have no income from them as outlined above.

This is completely correct. They FAI will get no revenue from these boxes. The GAA also got some tickets in the stand for both rugby and football as part of the agreement, if I remember correctly.

[p_o_r]

However the away ends probably won't be full for Slovakia and Cyprus. There may be enough slovaks here to buy them. I assume Cyprus will go on general sale but at that stage it will depend on the where we stand in the group.

Solvakia game will be full as it is the 2nd game in Croker, so those event junkies who could not go to the Walse game will attend the next best thing a few days later.

Cyprus game will probably be empty

[elroy]

Thats fcuking ridiculous about the corporate boxes, no way should they be paying rent of €1.5m if thats the case.

I think all games will sell out or be very close to sell out. There will be at least 50k at the cyprus games, anymore than that will depend on how we are positioned in the group at that stage.

[Jerry The Saint]

With Premium tickets at least, the ticket holder only has the option to buy his seat for extra events (these upcoming games, concerts etc.) I believe most of the cost of this goes to the promoter/in this case the FAI with the GAA taking a cut as well. A lot of these are owned by companies and many usually end up in the hands of Corporate Hospitality agencies (and, going on experience, I imagine a lot of these will end up in the hands of England fans for the rugby)

[Bluetonic]

There has been a lot said about the corporate boxes since my post above, so just to clarify.

* Some corporate boxes are owned for every event in the stadium and the FAI will get no direct revenue off these

* Some corporate boxes aren't owned for every event (GAA sponsors boxes) and some aren't owned by anyone as they are not all sold out. The FAI will get revenue off these. Wales + Cyprus match €795pp for both games, Slovakia + Germany €895pp for both games includes dinner with wine, bar before and after, finger food etc..,

* Some premium tickets are 10 year stadium tickets for every event and the FAI will get no direct revenue off these. These tickets are few and far between.

* Some premium tickets are 10 year GAA tickets, I believe these people are being given an option to purchase for the non GAA events and one would presume this is direct revenue for the FAI.

* Some premium tickets are unsold and the FAI will be selling these getting direct revenue.

Does anyone know whats the situation with revenue from catering? Are the FAI tied to the same contract the GAA have and as such the same profits? I imagine there is potential for the FAI to make bigger sales than the GAA given some of the matches are in the evening with people travelling directly from work and they'll need a bite to eat.

Does anyone know if the bars are going to be open and serving alcohol ? If so whats the revenue situation there?

Also what are the FAI going to do encourage people to arrive early so they can maximise their profit potentials from catering and alcohol if sold. The earlier people are in the stadium the more money the FAI will make obviously, also this will add to the atmosphere.

[Jerry The Saint]

Does anyone know if the bars are going to be open and serving alcohol ?

It's probably going to be the same as at Lansdowne, which I've never understood. OK for rugby fans but closed for the soccer ruffians :rolleyes: .

Bars in Premium section will be open for all events.

[Bluetonic]

It's probably going to be the same as at Lansdowne, which I've never understood. OK for rugby fans but closed for the soccer ruffians :rolleyes:

I don't its safe to assume this, unless you know something definite?

[doyle_shoots]

To be honest, I can't see drink being served to the "soccer ruffians" as Jerry The Saint so poetically puts it :)

Like it or not, we are stuck with the English mentaility of a non-drinking culture at football stadia, and until this country breaks away from 90% of football Irish supporting fans supporting the likes of Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal, Celtic and the like, this mentality is going to stay.

That said, surely this non-drinking culture in stadia prevails right across Europe? Apart from Amsterdam ArenA - however I'm open for contradiction on this point - how many stadiums have the green army been too and indulged in their favourite tipple? Of course, those of us in Stuttgart will all remember the infamous "beer" we were served in the stadium, only to discover later it was to be our downfall :D

Best option is to stick to the usual, start early in the day, and do the pub crawl out to Croker...

[paul_oshea]

whats the pub crawl out to croker then, i mean what trail, there are the "backways" via the dub spots or up the country spots via maes!!

[Saint Tom]

under uefa rules they are not allowed to sell alcohol in the ground for any competitive games. Not available at any of the grounds i have been to for away matches. If "beer" is on sale it is non alcoholic for sure. They also close bars during uefa club competitions. (note the bar in dalymount closing for the games)

[zinedineontour]

I'd say the upper Canal would be best for the signing so I'm going there. It was the best for the singing when the Hill was gone that Championship year.

€50 though, the FAI are robbing fcuking wakners, pssing all over the very fans that have stood by through their farcical policies of the past.

€50 euro a ticket aint that bad imo .. When you take in the rent they are paying for croker and the difference between it and lansdowne the increase is to be expected.

[Clipper]

Got to agree, €50 for a seat in Croker versus €30 to sit on some scaffolding in Lansdowne. Can't really complain too much about the FAI on this one.

Anyone know when the FAI will let us know how many tickets we're entitled to??

[Bluetonic]

I see the Welsh fans are up in arms regarding having to pay 34 GBP for the privilege of sitting on The Hill.


the irish have stitched us up here. Not only is it a rip-off price, but our allocation is on temporary seats bolted to an open terrace, known as Hill 16, at croke park. the only bit of the ground which is uncovered, and exposed to the elements (Dublin is as rainy as Wales). Plus being behind the goals, the field will be miles away, with a football field being much shorter than a gaelic games pitch. Perhaps for £35, the FAI are providing us with rainjackets, sou'westers, umbrellas, wellies and binoculars. Let's reciprocate the 'welcome' here, by staging the home game at the Racecourse. they could have the Kop terrace, providing we can dismantle the roof in time. Irish hospitality eh?


In fairness to the czech republic, northern ireland and poland in recent away games, the seats we were given were first class - no sticking us in the open end, or the worst part of the ground. I think the FAW/FSF Cymru should be doing something about this now. Why the FAI see the need to use this terraced area at Croke Park beats me, when there are still 68,000 seats for them to use in the stadium. unfortunately, when the Irish come to the Millennium, its impossible to give them a crap area, 'cos none exist.


Keano, if we dont sell our allocation, it'll be down to the FAI's rip-off prices (you lot will only get charged around £22 for a very decent seat in a proper stadium) and the very magnanimous gesture of hospitality, of putting us on an open terrace. Diolch.

http://www.dragonsoccer.co.uk/news/ticket.php

[paul_oshea]

Perhaps for £35, the FAI are providing us with rainjackets, sou'westers, umbrellas, wellies and binoculars. Let's reciprocate the 'welcome' here, by staging the home game at the Racecourse. they could have the Kop terrace, providing we can dismantle the roof in time. Irish hospitality eh?

seriouslly F' them, an irish international is still cheaper than your average premiership match. we aint going to see the best 11 from the principilaty of wales premier division.