2024 FAI Cup

[dundalkfc10]

From a selfish point of view I prefer terracing, good away section for atmosphere, etc

But since I’ve starting bringing my kids, there are some away grounds I won’t bring the 2 youngest to. The 2 youngest (10 and 8) are girls so the state of toilets are a factor - aswel as being able to get a covered seat. I bring the oldest fella anywhere though.

Tbh inchicore is one I’ve brought the girls to and they had zero complaints.

But if we want the league to grow, we need to make it attractive to families. Even for league of Ireland matches, you feel like you are going to a “big match” outside the ground before a rovers match. It’s definitely more appealing than inchicore for bigger matches

I'd agree with you with the kids. Not having a go at Drogheda as Oriel is as bad, but for example I'm taking the wee fella 8 yr old Friday and il make sure I'm in the ground before 7 so we can get a space at the fence at the front as otherwise he wouldn't be able too see a thing.

Took him to the stand earlier in season and he wasn't happy he wasn't in with all the Dundalk fans so rules out going in there (not that I think we will have too many on Friday)

[redarmyfaction]

Rovers stadium easily the best in the league in terms of capacity , facilities etc. , unfortunately it's also in the most soulless place in Ireland

A soulless stadium in a soulless suburb, much prefer Itchycore.

[yurt]

12,000 neutrals? No chance I fear. I'd say 5,000 or so would be a good showing. It's on TV after all, and the November cup finals have a history of being chilly as feck.

Plus your split there would mean a crowd of 42,000, which won't be happening either.

I'd expect Derry to have a lot more there than Drogheda, but Drogheda could also surprise everyone with how many they bring. So I'd guess 18-20,000 Derry, 10-12,000 Drogheda, and then 3-5,000 neutrals.

I'm generally overly optimistic when it come to these things but I think 40-45k+ is a pretty reasonable (weather permitting) expectation at this stage given there was 30k tickets sold 2-3 weeks before the event itself.

I think if it's a fine day there could be a lot of families who decide to rock up on the day. I think it's easy to underestimate the place the media has in publicising the event. The Cup final should get a decent preview across the airways given the increased profile of the LOI generally in the past few seasons.

Definitely the glass half full opinion, but I think it's optimism rather than the blind optimism which I've definitely had in many times gone by.

[EatYerGreens]

I'm generally overly optimistic when it come to these things but I think 40-45k+ is a pretty reasonable (weather permitting) expectation at this stage given there was 30k tickets sold 2-3 weeks before the event itself.

I think if it's a fine day there could be a lot of families who decide to rock up on the day. I think it's easy to underestimate the place the media has in publicising the event. The Cup final should get a decent preview across the airways given the increased profile of the LOI generally in the past few seasons.

Definitely the glass half full opinion, but I think it's optimism rather than the blind optimism which I've definitely had in many times gone by.

Apparently sales are currently at the 32-33,000 level. You'd expect that the vast majority of those who intend to go have already bought tickets, so I'd personally say that anything over 35k or 36k would be good at this stage.

[outspoken]

Another failure in FAI targets if it doesn't sell out, just like the unrealistic target they set for a third tier.

[bohsmug]

Don't think we're at the stage yet where we can call getting over 30K to a cup final a "failure", regardless of the ambitious target. If we get anywhere near the 40k mark we're doing really well and not quelling that momentum.

[2 Year Contract]

Don't think we're at the stage yet where we can call getting over 30K to a cup final a "failure", regardless of the ambitious target. If we get anywhere near the 40k mark we're doing really well and not quelling that momentum.

Spot on. It’s been sold out once, between two Dublin sides Pats (2nd highest crowds in the country) and Bohs (4th highest). To get 35k+ between two non Dublin sides that are 6th in the average crowds (Derry) and 11th (Drogheda) is seriously impressive

[outspoken]

I'm just pointing out the FAI's 3 or 5 year plan or whatever it was a few years ago targeted a sold out cup final every year, the introduction of a third tier by last year, top 30 placing in uefa coefficient, are we on course to do any of those things?

[yurt]

I'm just pointing out the FAI's 3 or 5 year plan or whatever it was a few years ago targeted a sold out cup final every year, the introduction of a third tier by last year, top 30 placing in uefa coefficient, are we on course to do any of those things?

On track to reach the top 30 in the co-efficient assuming Rovers make the semi-final of the conference league and some others results go our way.

[Buller]

On track to reach the top 30 in the co-efficient assuming Rovers make the semi-final of the conference league and some others results go our way.

We got this.

[oriel]

Spot on. It’s been sold out once, between two Dublin sides Pats (2nd highest crowds in the country) and Bohs (4th highest). To get 35k+ between two non Dublin sides that are 6th in the average crowds (Derry) and 11th (Drogheda) is seriously impressive

Really ? Unless the capacity has reduced, I don't think it has, these are the last 5 finals:

2019 Shamrock Rovers 1 – 1 (a.e.t.) 4 – 2 (pen.) Dundalk Aviva Stadium 33,111
2020 Dundalk 4 – 2 (a.e.t.) Shamrock Rovers Aviva Stadium 0*
2021 St Patrick's Athletic 1 – 1 (a.e.t.) 4 – 3 (pen.) Bohemians Aviva Stadium 37,126
2022 Derry City 4–0 Shelbourne Aviva Stadium 32,412
2023 St Patrick's Athletic 3–1 Bohemians Aviva Stadium 43,881

[outspoken]

What have the FAI done to achieve their goal of selling out every year? Ticket prices have increased, what else have they done?

[2 Year Contract]

Really ? Unless the capacity has reduced, I don't think it has, these are the last 5 finals:

2019 Shamrock Rovers 1 – 1 (a.e.t.) 4 – 2 (pen.) Dundalk Aviva Stadium 33,111
2020 Dundalk 4 – 2 (a.e.t.) Shamrock Rovers Aviva Stadium 0*
2021 St Patrick's Athletic 1 – 1 (a.e.t.) 4 – 3 (pen.) Bohemians Aviva Stadium 37,126
2022 Derry City 4–0 Shelbourne Aviva Stadium 32,412
2023 St Patrick's Athletic 3–1 Bohemians Aviva Stadium 43,881

Yep, last year was sold out. Huge amount of rows of seats at the front of all stands blocked off (this wasn’t done at the Europa league final for example) as well as the no shows on the day, but all tickets for the game were sold out the day before the game https://m.independent.ie/sport/socce...772534099.html

[oriel]

Even with the no shows, and if all tickets were sold, the attendance of 43,881 is still 7,830 short of stadium capacity.

That doesn't add up, is the suggestion that almost 8k people (or 15%) bought tickets and just didn't bother showing up?

[nigel-harps1954]

Even with the no shows, and if all tickets were sold, the attendance of 43,881 is still 7,830 short of stadium capacity.

That doesn't add up, is the suggestion that almost 8k people (or 15%) bought tickets and just didn't bother showing up?

Five or six rows of seats at the front of every stand were blocked off. That would take a sizeable chunk off the capacity.

[Glen Of Aherlow]

Even with the no shows, and if all tickets were sold, the attendance of 43,881 is still 7,830 short of stadium capacity.

That doesn't add up, is the suggestion that almost 8k people (or 15%) bought tickets and just didn't bother showing up?

Capacity for the final was round 48,000

[oriel]

It doesn't alter anything, the attendance was still 43,881 last year (damn good btw), it was just not a sell not.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Sold out

https://x.com/faireland/status/17236...hc_IALu9TUBX1A

[Jack B]

It doesn't alter anything, the attendance was still 43,881 last year (damn good btw), it was just not a sell not.

It was by definition sold out.

[Nesta99]

Ticket sales v attendance - one of the great mysteries of LoI!