Dumb question about CL last round Chelsea/Arsenal

[Qamle]

I would have asked this question earlier, but I just descovered BigSoccer about a week ago.

Did the 2nd game at Stamford Bridge sell out. My buddies and I remembered hearing from the announcer that the game wasn't sold out. We also saw a bunch of empty seats at the top. How could a CL derby not sell out? Can someone shed some light?

[Clan]

I would have asked this question earlier, but I just descovered BigSoccer about a week ago.

Did the 2nd game at Stamford Bridge sell out. My buddies and I remembered hearing from the announcer that the game wasn't sold out. We also saw a bunch of empty seats at the top. How could a CL derby not sell out? Can someone shed some light?


Which game are you talking about?
The game at Stamford Bridge was the first game....the second game was at Highbury.

As for the Stamford Bridge game, it was a sell out.
However, that is only as far as the seats that can be purchased by fans.The remaining seats that are not occupied - and can be seen at all Stamford Bridge games that are "sell outs" - are the corporate seats and luxury boxes that are not given out to general sale.They are quite expensive and are the domain of big business, usually purchased in the off season and often with a lease for a number of years.It is not uncommon at all - for all teams that have them, not just Chels - to have unoccupied seats in a "sell out"

Welcome to Bigsoccer!

[musicl]

I would have asked this question earlier, but I just descovered BigSoccer about a week ago.

Did the 2nd game at Stamford Bridge sell out. My buddies and I remembered hearing from the announcer that the game wasn't sold out. We also saw a bunch of empty seats at the top. How could a CL derby not sell out? Can someone shed some light?
The highbury game was a sell-out. If it wasnt i would have been there.

[Qamle]

Oh, I was referring to the game at Highbury, I just forgot which game was second. Hmm, I remember hearing from the announcer on ESPN2 that the stadium wasn't full. He mentioned that he was shocked or something. Neat, thanks for the answer.

[Wide Boy]

UEFA regulations lead to many Champions League games having seats that are unused. The ones at Highbury are those behind the North Bank goal (about the first 6 rows).

When a club enters the CL, it gives up a huge amount of independence as far as financial arrangements for CL games are concerned. For example, all TV, advertising and sponsorship rights are negotiated centrally by UEFA.

The UEFA contract that clubs have to enter into if they want to play is strict enough to cover the size of perimeter advertising boards and the angle at which they are pitched. Both of these elements are based on what is normal in continental Europe.

In the UK, fans are generally much closer to the field than in other European countries. The requirement for advertising board size and pitch means that fans sitting in some seats near the perimeter wouldn't be able to see the game. As a result, those seats aren't put on sale.

At Old Trafford, for example, the first two rows or so all around the ground seem not to be sold at CL games.