Vantage Club - Europa League

**Dodge** · 13/05/2010, 2:46 PM

A friend of mine is involved with a club who were marketed very agressively by the FAI into buying some vantage Club tickets. The club bought them with a view to raffling off a pair of tickets to each game. One of the key selling points was the Europa League final which the club rackoned they could auction etc and make a fair few quid on that game alone

Following the news that the LOI XI v Man U game wasn't part of the package, he called the FAI. They confirmed that the Europa League final wasn't part of the package either (as sole control of the arena is giving to UEFA)

Was anyone else told the Europa League final was included?

(apologies if this is in wrong section, wasn't sure where it fitted)

**gspain** · 13/05/2010, 6:30 PM

I think they have been very careful to say what was included for free and what you pay for eg if Pats reach the group stages of the champions league next year Vantage Club memebrs can buy a ticket but don't get one free. All Irish hoime games and the FAI Cup Final are free.

My understanding is that there is nothing promised on the Europa League - even a chance to buy a ticket. In reality I reckon the Vantage Club will be looked after ahead of block bookers etc.

Some of us will be watching very carefully where the "Irish football family" tickets go. The Germans put them on sale for Hamburg. Council, staff, leagues, sponsors and Vantage Club
would take all of these here if allowed. Even a Shaktor Donetsk v Zenit final would be a tough ticket to get.

**Dodge** · 13/05/2010, 6:57 PM

Thanks for clarifying Gary. He now says that nothing was guarenteed but heavily implied. Buyer beware and all that

**OneRedArmy** · 17/05/2010, 1:33 PM

I would've thought that its a well known fact that the stadium for European finals has to be provided "clean" to be eligible to host an event. No local advertising, no pre-sold seats, ability to change food and beverage branding etc.

If someone from the FAI or their agent made that promise I'd argue it was almost willful misinformation.

**SuperDave** · 17/05/2010, 2:53 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Vantage Club - Europa League

A friend of mine is involved with a club who were marketed very agressively by the FAI into buying some vantage Club tickets. The club bought them with a view to raffling off a pair of tickets to each game. One of the key selling points was the Europa League final which the club rackoned they could auction etc and make a fair few quid on that game alone

Following the news that the LOI XI v Man U game wasn't part of the package, he called the FAI. They confirmed that the Europa League final wasn't part of the package either (as sole control of the arena is giving to UEFA)

Was anyone else told the Europa League final was included?

(apologies if this is in wrong section, wasn't sure where it fitted)

In any event, it is quite clear from the FAQs on the FAI website that the Europa League final isn't included. Sorry mate, but I think you have been had and there is nothing you can do.

Originally Posted by fai vantage club faqs

Do I have an option on any other events taking place at the stadium?

Yes, you will also have an option to purchase tickets for other world class events held in the Stadium, including concerts.
It is important to note that it is extremely unlikely that you will get "your" specific seats for option events. This is due to circumstances such as changes in stadium configuration for concerts, but you will be guaranteed the option to purchase one general admission ticket per each Vantage Club 10-year seat you hold.
For Tender Events (e.g. a UEFA Cup final) and Excluded Events (e.g. IRFU Events) if the FAI receives any ticket allocation or entitlement from the relevant event holder, we will notify you of the details and opportunities for purchasing tickets. We cannot guarantee to you the availability of tickets for any such event.

**Dodge** · 17/05/2010, 3:02 PM

For the record its nothing to do with me. Not involved in any clubs, and there's no way I'd be giving the FAI money (cup final tickets aside)

**elroy** · 17/05/2010, 5:42 PM

It was in the paper at the wkd that UEFA have guaranteed the FAI a certain number of tickets for the EL final. I cant recall the exact number but I think it was 5k. If the FAI have any commerical sense (and trust me i am not a member of the VC), they should offer those tickets to the VC first.

The FAI has really pi**ed me off over the last couple of days. When it should have been basking in the glory of positive PR, it has made one big mess of the whole week.

**gspain** · 18/05/2010, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by elroy

It was in the paper at the wkd that UEFA have guaranteed the FAI a certain number of tickets for the EL final. I cant recall the exact number but I think it was 5k. If the FAI have any commerical sense (and trust me i am not a member of the VC), they should offer those tickets to the VC first.

The FAI has really pi**ed me off over the last couple of days. When it should have been basking in the glory of positive PR, it has made one big mess of the whole week.

UEFA always give the host association tikcets for the hosts football family. The Germans got 7,000 or so (can't recall the exact figure) and sold them to the German
footballing public.

They most likely will offer them to the VC as you say. The UEFA public sale is normally then restricted to exclude the hosts as the public there will normally have been
offered tickets from the host association. This will mean that the Irish public will have no chance to buy tickets for this game unless one of our clubs makes it.

**elroy** · 18/05/2010, 11:49 AM

Originally Posted by gspain

They most likely will offer them to the VC as you say. The UEFA public sale is normally then restricted to exclude the hosts as the public there will normally have been
offered tickets from the host association. This will mean that the Irish public will have no chance to buy tickets for this game unless one of our clubs makes it.

By public sale, do you mean the draw that they do every year for the CL and EL games? Dont remember seeing residents of host countries excluded, having said that never had reason to look.

**gspain** · 19/05/2010, 7:25 AM

Originally Posted by elroy

By public sale, do you mean the draw that they do every year for the CL and EL games? Dont remember seeing residents of host countries excluded, having said that never had reason to look.

Google confirms it

http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague...d=1453147.html

"Ticket sales for the 2010 UEFA Europa League final at the Hamburg Arena will start on Wednesday for applicants living outside Germany – with the application process to be carried out exclusively on UEFA.com. Sales for the German market, which were handled exclusively via the German Football Association website, dfb.de, ended on 15 January."

So if the sponsors, council and VC get the tickets (and you could well be right on this) then the Irish football public will be totally excluded from this game.