25,000 empty seats ...

**aido_b** · 11/02/2009, 10:46 AM

According to the Indo (http://www.independent.ie/national-n...r-1635174.html)

25,000 empty seats for tonight ... apprently because of a "midweek" game and "the time of the year." Of course nothing to do with the �50 + price for tickets. I used to go to the majority of games and bring a few of the cousins but now looking at �200+ per game for the few of us to go I had to stop.

I'm just wondering as to why they aren't selling off the last 25,000 tickets for half price? Surely they should take a bit of a hit on the tickets in order to ensure that the lads are supported as well as possible?!

**LaoisLads** · 11/02/2009, 11:06 AM

i dunno if they could sell off the last 25,000 for half price because this would put people off buying their tickets early for the next few games. i don't think anyone would buy tickets for full price if they thought they could wait until the day of the match and get a ticket for half price.
it will be a pity to see all those seats empty though

**Razors left peg** · 11/02/2009, 11:06 AM

Think its sign that Landsdowne Roads capacity is perfect for football in this country

**Claret Murph** · 11/02/2009, 11:12 AM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Think its sign that Landsdowne Roads capacity is perfect for football in this country

Just what I was thinking . I would say the hill will be closed .

**aido_b** · 11/02/2009, 11:13 AM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Think its sign that Landsdowne Roads capacity is perfect for football in this country

I agree with that but I reckon they'd easily have filled Croker if the tickets were a wee bit cheaper. They're outpricing some fans out of the game!

**jbyrne** · 11/02/2009, 11:20 AM

will still be one of the bigger european attendances tonight. the ticket prices are steep enough but compare very favourably with the rugby 6N matches which always sell out. my ticket in a similar seat as the one i will sit in tonight was �90 for the rugby but is �50 tonight

**Paddywhackspurs** · 11/02/2009, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

will still be one of the bigger european attendances tonight. the ticket prices are steep enough but compare very favourably with the rugby 6N matches which always sell out. my ticket in a similar seat as the one i will sit in tonight was �90 for the rugby but is �50 tonight

I brought my six year old kid to the last midweek game & my ticket was the same price as his. its mad, i would say something if it was a team like Brazil. Beleive it or not it is cheaper for me to bring him to an English game then it is to take him to Croke Park..

**drummerboy** · 11/02/2009, 12:00 PM

I usually brought my kid to these games but have stopped as it has just got too expensive. As it turns out I was offered 2 free tickets for the Hogan Stand tonight and we will both be there. Sign of the times when you see them giving them away to “everyone in the audience” on the Late Late show.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 11/02/2009, 12:13 PM

I'm just amazed that anyone is surprised by this and there's a big deal being amde out of it. It's Georgia ffs, 50,000 will be an excellent crowd and as much as I'd have expected. The only games we'd get more then that for are the glamour games against the likes of the Italians hence why the new Lansdowne is the perfect size. Do people think they crowd would be bigger if tickets were €40 for example? Teh only thing I'd do doffderently is offer famil tickets for a game like this.

Move along, nothing to see here.....

**pete** · 11/02/2009, 12:19 PM

Except for 1-2 games a year 50-55k capacity at Lansdowne will be plenty.

E90 was cheapest seat for rugby last weekend.

Even at E10 I don't think could get 70k people to watch Georgia on a Wednesday.

**gspain** · 11/02/2009, 1:57 PM

I know there is a credit crunch but 50 euro is cheap. The same seat was 90 for the rugby and 70 for the GAA big games.

If there are only 50,000 there then the bb waiting list should be cleared. Some good news for those on the list.

**Bluetonic** · 11/02/2009, 1:59 PM

Originally Posted by Claret Murph

Just what I was thinking . I would say the hill will be closed .

No seats were even put down on The Hill and were never going to be as a result of the rugby on Satruday.

**Bluetonic** · 11/02/2009, 2:02 PM

Originally Posted by pete

Except for 1-2 games a year 50-55k capacity at Lansdowne will be plenty.

50,000 capacity alright but 10,000 of those are premium with 5,000 away allocation.

So with a capacity for the every day fan of 35,000 there will still be a ticket scramble in Lansdowne unless unsold premium tickets are offered at reasonable prices.

**mypost** · 11/02/2009, 2:03 PM

Originally Posted by gspain

I know there is a credit crunch but 50 euro is cheap. The same seat was 90 for the rugby and 70 for the GAA big games.

If it was Italy, the place would be sold out. It's the recession coupled with the "event junkie" factor, or in this case, a lack of one, that's behind all the empty seats.

As for �50 described as "cheap", how many other countries charge their fans �50 in to watch Georgia at home?

**endabob1** · 11/02/2009, 2:08 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

As for �50 described as "cheap", how many other countries charge their fans �50 in to watch Georgia at home?

More pertinently, how many other countries would get 50,000 punters paying �50 a head in to watch Georgia against a mid ranked side

**Bluetonic** · 11/02/2009, 2:10 PM

Originally Posted by gspain

I know there is a credit crunch but 50 euro is cheap. The same seat was 90 for the rugby and 70 for the GAA big games.

70 is just for the two finals, there are plenty of big GAA games which are far less in Croker, Leinster final, quarters, semis.

The FAI tickets for Lansdowne really should be graded a bit better than upper 70 and lower 50. They could be selling tickets for the upper at the edges for 25 going up to the lower in the middle for 80. Plenty of choice then for people like we see at other internationals.

Section 301 which doesn't even have any pitch in front of it is 70euro whilst so it section 305 which is on the half way line! Great pricing alright.

**Bluetonic** · 11/02/2009, 2:18 PM

Originally Posted by endabob1

More pertinently, how many other countries would get 50,000 punters paying �50 a head in to watch Georgia against a mid ranked side

How many would be there if the block booking scheme didn't commit people to buy? My guess around 25,000 to 30,000.

**fergalr** · 11/02/2009, 2:24 PM

50 euros is a fair price for an international and 50k tonight is a good attendance.

Starting next month you can see professional football every weekend for 15 euros.

**Saint07** · 11/02/2009, 3:01 PM

The thing that annoys me most is that we have been block booking for about 15 years now and we have been stuck literally in row Z of the upper Cusack (Canal end if GAA game). We have requested different seats and been told there is nothing they can do yet there will be empty seats all around us tonight!

**gspain** · 11/02/2009, 3:51 PM

Originally Posted by mypost

If it was Italy, the place would be sold out. It's the recession coupled with the "event junkie" factor, or in this case, a lack of one, that's behind all the empty seats.

As for �50 described as "cheap", how many other countries charge their fans �50 in to watch Georgia at home?

I think the price is to watch Ireland. Same price for the competitve games no matter who the opposition is.

If we need to beat Italy to top the group in October the same people moaning would gladly pay 50 euro for tickets.