Probably a little late for that since the stadium is already designed as a double decker and they want the open concourse.
There are 20 something rows and 40 seats/row. That's a bit more than 800. The section was full with loud supporters for a Wednesday game against last place Dallas and it was over the capacity at the last Saturday's game against RSL. People were standing on the bleachers, in between bleachers and in the concrete area at the front. My point is that if our supporters can fill up their current section, they need a bigger section at the new stadium. All MLS supporter groups increased in size when their teams moved into new soccer specific stadiums. I don't get it why our club is going the other way around. I mean I do, it's because they want to sell the seats for higher prices and they cater to a different type of fans. Short term, their strategy will work and will bring more money, but long term, limiting your most loyal and rowdy fans will hurt the organization both financially and atmosphere wise.
Aren't you guys working on buying tickets in the section above the terraces? Seems to me that would solve your problem pretty easily.
I'm not sure what the group's decision is, but it seems like a very risky move. Since that area is not designated for supporters, the stadium staff will probably enforce sitting and will not allow people to wave flags, have drums, and what not. Supporters who will buy tickets there might end up being stuck unable to do what they want to do. They will sell those tickets to regular fans who want to sit and watch, and they will make sure that no supporter bothers them with the noise and such. Like I said, I don't know all the details, the agreements or disagreements between the group and the FO. Based on what I know, this is how I see this situation developing.
Wow, The Ultras, who brought energy through the Gavin Glinton/Kei Kamra days and have been spectacular in keeping the team and the crowd pumped through the bad times and into the good times deserve better. Much better.
Thank you for your kind words ! Maybe some of you (non-Ultras) should write Kaval and share this point of view as non Ultra, I'm sure that if you write it will have more weight as if I write him.
Does anyone know the plan for pricing the end zone seats? Are the terraces going to be the only cheap tickets, with the sections above them more expensive? If that's the case, then the existing ticketholders in supporter sections 108 and 109 will be competing for the proposed Ultras' pen/jail. When I look at the seating map for the new stadium--the four supporters terrace sections are so tacked on, I can't figure out how attendees are going to enter them. From the field? From the grey areas adjacent? From the sections above? The alleged lack of communication with the Ultras about the new stadium and these idiotic terraces reflect the lack of fan input into the planning of the new stadium. Most of the planning appears to be about selling the suites and club seats to corporations and wealthy supporters and containing and then killing off the passions of the most dedicated fans in easily controlled terraces. Reminds me of the beer jail from years past.
From what I have heard, the FO has met with the Ultras, and there is nothing "idiotic" about the terraces, except for the fact that they run more horizontal, rather than more vertical. But, again, that probably has all to do with the stadium design. How many supporters groups in MLS actually have standing terraces? I think the Rapids have some, but, I don't know of others.
Montreal has one section from bottom to top that is terraced. The Colorado terraces are completely separate from the rest of the stands. Terraces at the new stadium would work if they run from field to roof. Otherwise, there is going to be conflict with the ticket holders behind them. I'm not an Ultra, so I don't know if the FO has met with them about the new stadium. But I have been a STH since 1996, and I can't remember any attempt from the FO soliciting fan input about the new stadium. No survey, no e-mail questionaire. Maybe I've forgotten their attempts. Remind me if that's the case.
We are very nervous about the situation. If we are stuck in the horizontal section and unable to occupy the seats above the terraces, it will destroy what we do. the horizontal terrace section is tiny... it only goes 6-9 rows back. Overhead tifo would be out of the question. It would be difficult for people on the ends to hear the chants in the middle and keep up. Instead of this: we could end up like this: I understand the front office can't redesign at this point, but it is EXTREMELY important that they let us occupy the seats above the terrace and let us do our thing up there.
Did I hear correctly Kelly Gray say on the July 22 Vancouver telecast that the front office was working closely with the Ultras on their section in the new stadium? Because that's news to me.
I am happy to get in touch with Dave. I had a long conversation with him last year about the tifo issue, and he seemed pretty responsive. However, it would be helpful for non-ultras to get a sense of the fo's version because last time I felt unprepared. That said, the Ultras do an amazing job. When we got to the dallas game late, I could hear them as soon as we stepped on campus, maybe 1/3 mile away. The Ultras have become an integral part of the teams success
I asked someone on You Tube what were the words to the Philadelphia Union Sons of Ben We Love You Chant........a little obnoxious for my taste....
I believe the Rapids FO realized their mistake and actually expended these terraces vertically. In the Ultras' case this won't be possible, since there's an upper deck on top of the terraced area. I thought that as a club, you would want your supporter group to grow. It looks to me like the Quakes FO wants the opposite.
You can't change the realities of the stadium's design this late in the game. Is it a perfect situation no, but I'm sure the Ultras will adapt and work something out regarding the seats above the terrace as needed.
From what I've seen you'll enter anywhere from behind. The top of the terraces will be a couple of steps above the concourse. You just step up and you're on the top terrace.