Some thoughts on admission fees

**el punter** · 25/10/2007, 9:03 AM

Yesterday Navan racecourse opened their gates to the public for free - apparently a bookie picked up the tab. Usual admission is Eur15.

I have been to the last two meetings at Navan, yesterday's freebie and the one before that where I paid my Eur15 in.

There was - I estimate - only about 10% more people there yesterday than at the previous paying meeting. There was little difference in the quality of the racing etc.

There's perhaps a case for concluding that the admission fee has little bearing on the attendance of a sports event here - the people who want to go will go regardless of entry fee (within reason of course).

It's maybe just food for thought for clubs who are thinking of tinkering with their admission fees next season, dropping prices is unlikely to increase attendances in itself.

**OneRedArmy** · 25/10/2007, 9:05 AM

Bear in mind most attenders at race courses also gamble, therefore the entrance fee is only a percentage of their spend. Not really the case for footy, where a programme and a burger are the only other things you can really buy.

**superfrank** · 25/10/2007, 9:06 AM

Chelsea dropped their price for the Schalke match last night and 15k extra turned up. It does work.

**monutdfc** · 25/10/2007, 9:10 AM

I was at Mallow races on Saturday and was amazed it was €18 in; don't they get enough on the tote and overpriced food and drink?

**Dodge** · 25/10/2007, 9:49 AM

Our crowds are up on last year, despite the decent sized hike in prices. Would they be higher with lower prices? Probably but its not the overriding factor.

**endabob1** · 25/10/2007, 10:08 AM

Running the odd "quid for a kid" or everyone in for a fiver type promotions are a worthwhile way of getting fronge fans to come along, the idea being that once bitten they will come more often. It's widely used in the UK especially in the lower leagues but more and more in the top flight as prices and quantity/quality issues drive fans away, a prime example is the Chelsea Schalke example from Superfrank above

**BohDiddley** · 25/10/2007, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by superfrank

Chelsea dropped their price for the Schalke match last night and 15k extra turned up. It does work.

Chelsea's is a multiple of eL admission in the first place, so the comparison doesn't hold. If we can't persuade people to attend a two-hour live event for €15 for an adult or a fiver for a child, then there is something wrong other than price.

**Macy** · 25/10/2007, 10:16 AM

Straight up admission prices have little impact imo on the lad going the match and having a few pints. However, they do have an impact on the family supporter. Can get steep with a full price adult and 2 full price child tickets, plus drinks, sweets, burgers etc. Unfortunately, the kids free/ reduced is often abused by parents just dumping their kids at the gate as rules such as "with a paying adult" are not properly enforced.

**Dodge** · 25/10/2007, 10:43 AM

They definitely are at Pats. Its €10 for kids if an adult doesn't buy it. €5 if they do, and in fairness they strictly enforce it.

They also have deals on various adult + kids deals.

Not saying our prices are acceptable, i'm just pointing out they realise its expensive for families.

**Ash** · 25/10/2007, 10:51 AM

Athlone increased from €10 to €15 for Adults and €5 to €7.50 for kids.
Looks to have lowered crowds, especially families ... which shot themselves
in the foot as they were aiming at making the new stadium a family friendly
place.

**galwayhoop** · 25/10/2007, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Ash

Athlone increased from €10 to €15 for Adults and €5 to €7.50 for kids.
Looks to have lowered crowds, especially families ... which shot themselves
in the foot as they were aiming at making the new stadium a family friendly
place.

the increase in adult prices shouldn't cause a problem but (accompanied) kids should be encouraged to go, and go cheap. €5 max for those u12 and maybe €10 max for u16.

i went to terryland with my dad as a youngster, and later with my friends and upon moving home a few years ago i was straight back up. it's where you learn it first. if lads (and girls) don't go to eL games when they are young then they are extremely unlikely to go when they are in their 20's or 30's. i'm not talking about the teenagers who go up and act the eegit for 2 hours but those who go and watch the football and support their team.

**Ceirtlis** · 25/10/2007, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by BohDiddley

Chelsea's is a multiple of eL admission in the first place, so the comparison doesn't hold. If we can't persuade people to attend a two-hour live event for €15 for an adult or a fiver for a child, then there is something wrong other than price.

Absolutely correct.

**JC_GUFC** · 25/10/2007, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by Ash

Athlone increased from €10 to €15 for Adults and €5 to €7.50 for kids.
Looks to have lowered crowds, especially families ... which shot themselves
in the foot as they were aiming at making the new stadium a family friendly
place.

It's probably arguable that winning 1 game of your last 33 may have had a negative impact on attendances.
Then again your fans are probably used to that from the last few season!

J

**Ash** · 25/10/2007, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by JC_GUFC

It's probably arguable that winning 1 game of your last 33 may have had a negative impact on attendances.
Then again your fans are probably used to that from the last few season!

J

Exactly, anyone who claims its the rubbish football and results that are
making the crowd lower obivously hasnt been to many of our games over
the past few years!

**pete** · 25/10/2007, 1:21 PM

I would guess you could not pay some people to attend certain eLOi games & while I am not familiar with Navan Race course in October sounds like similar category.

**KianD** · 25/10/2007, 1:50 PM

I personally don't even think of the admission price usually - I'm going to spend more on fuel getting my arse there/back in the first place, unless its Station Road or Dalymount. I don't think we're like the English in the level of whinging about it - at my English club (ssh, I'm not on here long enough to know if its taboo to mention that

), a 2.50 hike in price can knock 600 off the gate this/last season.

**osarusan** · 25/10/2007, 2:35 PM

How much is admission on average?

I can see Yokohama Marinos play Urawa Reds (2 of the best teams in Japan, 4/5 current internationals playing) in the World Cup final stadium for 14 euros (cheapest seats).

**Dodge** · 25/10/2007, 2:44 PM

Originally Posted by osarusan

How much is admission on average?

Prices range from €10-€12 for most first division clubs to €12 for stand and €15 for seat in most premier division grounds. Pats and Drogheda charge €20 for seat (Pats give you "free" programme).

Its the same (roughly) as GAA league games or Magners League rugby

**monutdfc** · 25/10/2007, 2:46 PM

Originally Posted by osarusan

How much is admission on average?

Generally €10 for an adult First Division though some clubs are €15 for their stands.
Not sure about Premier as I only get to Bohs these days, it's €15 there.

**osarusan** · 25/10/2007, 2:49 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Prices range from €10-€12 for most first division clubs to €12 for stand and €15 for seat in most premier division grounds. Pats and Drogheda charge €20 for seat (Pats give you "free" programme).

Its the same (roughly) as GAA league games or Magners League rugby

Originally Posted by monutdfc

Generally €10 for an adult First Division though some clubs are €15 for their stands.
Not sure about Premier as I only get to Bohs these days, it's €15 there.

Fair enough, its cheaper than I thought. 15 euros was the figure mentioned, but the top range, i see.