I got a letter from DC United today saying they aren't going to sell 400 level tickets next season as a cost cutting move. They are only going to use the lower bowl and mezzanine level to cut costs. As a seven-year season ticket holder in Section 409 I'm pretty bummed about losing my long-time seats. What a nickel and dime outfit MLS is. They want to avoid paying for the single concession stand they open in the upper deck, maybe three ushers, and clean up costs. That has to be peanuts in the overall scheme of things. I really like the perspective the upper deck gives you. You can see plays develop, etc. This moves says MLS=minor league. Oh well. I've had a kid go away to college, so at least I can cut down on the number of tickets I buy now.
I am not going to rip them without knowing the economics behind the decision, but yeah, that sucks. A lot.
Can't blame them. They're hamstrung by the lease. I'm sorry about you losing your seats, but in the interest of watching any soccer at all, I think you will be able to adapt to a slightly different perspective from one of the lower sections. There must be more costs involved with the upper deck than what you suggest, why else would they do it?
While I agree that losing one's favorite spot stinks, you may want to try the Mezzanine. You could probably get tickets there for just a little more of what you were paying for tickets in the upper level, and get the same, if not, better perspective. You also have the added bonus of a few BS posters who sit there.
To United's credit, they are offering Mezz seats to VIP ticket holders at the same price and offering the same option to Premium seat holders if they upgrade to VIP prices. I suspect this is a one season benefit. They also toss in a statement to the effect that eliminating the upper deck will simulate the planned seating capacity in a newer soccer specific stadium that is being planned for the near future (like that's going to happen in the next year or two? Right.) And they hint upper deck seats may be available for larger double header soccer events. Maybe eliminating the upper deck will make it easier to clean up the stadium between baseball games next summer. After all, the lease arrangements AEG has negotiated with RFK have been viewed by RFK management as a way to cover their overhead until the second coming of baseball. AEG might as well cooperate. I've sat in the mezzanine before and found it somewhat closed in (I wasn't in the front row). I think I'll pass on the mezzanine. I'll miss the folks who've shared seats around mine the past seven years.
I'm with you Jimbo, I like sitting up in the 400 section. Mainly it is because I get a great view of the field and can see all the runs develop and the open space on the field. Its especially better for my wife so she can actually see what's going on since she hasn't learned the intracacies of soccer yet (especially offsides). Up in the 400 section, she can see it a lot clearer and makes the games a lot more interesting for her. I have to say I'm disappointed, but I understand the decision.
Bummer for the upper deckers! However, now you can choose to be more pro-active and help sell the game by relocating and cheering in one of the supporter group sections. You can get your top-down view from television most of the time, too. That's why God invented the VCR! GM Hay que poner el alma!
The Shootout package and satellite tv are wonderful things! There were only a couple of DC games not available on tv this year -- though not with the Comcast announcing team. GM
If I had to guess, I'd say that they're closing off the upper deck for more than financial reasons. Closing the upper deck causes a concentration of fans in the lower bowl, which is preferable for atmosphere and for tv visuals. If they're strict about it, it could also result in a de facto sell out (or would that be de jure since it wouldn't be 'in fact') - though that would require a crowd of 25K plus - which is supposed to be one of the most sought-after benefits of a SSS. Still, I'm sorry for the upper-deckers. We've had the same seats for years, and it takes some adjustment to watch from anywhere else.
Right, I'm using the VCR to tape the games I'm missing being at the DC United game. And I'm helping to sell the game by being there. Matter of fact, I'm selling it more cause I pay more for my tickets. Just because I don't choose to sing or chant of fight with security guards doesn't make me any less of a fan and I personally don't appreciate the condecending tone you've taken to anyone who doesn't belong to BB, LN or SE. Newsflash to GrillMaster: There are REAL fans who don't sit in SE, BB or LN.
It sucks to lose something that you have become accustomed to, however, I was always of the opinion that the upper bowl shouldn't have been an option to begin with. At least not until DC is averaging 25K or so. A fuller lower bowl will add to excitement, TV visuals and overall game day experience. As mentioned by a different poster it also raises the possibility of sold out games (and resulting ticket demand) especially if DC ever get on a roll next season. I have to believe that this is part of the logic behind the move and that the cost issue is more of a cover so as minimize feather ruffling. From a macro perspective I'm happy with the move but I empathize with those ticket holders that feel jerked around by this.
If you're looking to pick a fight, I'm going to disappoint you. Sorry you misunderstood the tone of my post. Sheesh! GM
The economics of cutting upper deck seats is a bit puzzling to me. There are out of pocket costs with having the upper deck open. Cleaning two bathrooms (this may be an unwarranted assumption from what I've seen), operating one concession stand, cleaning about five sections of seats, and maybe the cost of five ushers (though it's more like two). How much can that be? On the other hand, they're eliminating a big block of VIP seating (the second most expensive seats in the house) and may end up selling cheaper seats in the lower bowl (assuming they don't lose some customers). If all of the upper deck customers choose the mezzanine, then the economics work out because VIP prices will be paid by anyone moving from the upper deck to the mezzanine. But I don't think that will happen. I happen to have seats that are right on the midfield stripe. I chose those seats purposefully back in 1996. I doubt that comparable seats are available in the first row of the mezzanine. Anyway, the letter says they'll still sell upper deck seats for block buster soccer double headers. Hence, the upper deck may become available for some games. I still can't get over the sense that this is a false economy. If DC wants to create a sense that you have to buy season tickets or you'll be shut out, they've got a long way to go. They'd be better of focusing on their on-the-field product than dislodging long-time customers.
B.I.N.G.O. To restate an obvious and much expressed point: The problem with DCU and RFK is that the need to buy season tickets is practically non-existent. If I can walk up and get tickets EVERY time I want to, I'm not going to fork over a couple grand. Period. You tell me there's only 25,000 capacity, I'll start to take the situation MUCH more seriously. I empathize with the Upper Deck patrons, but this is the right thing for DCU to do. Whatever the letter stated, in my opinion, this is all about marketplace perception and the need to deal with a MUCH too large venue.
I understand it, I hate it. The upper deck gives a view that you absolutely cannot get on TV. It'll make it harder to be flexible with people I bring. I'll lose my neighbors. It'll increase lines at the vendors. Etc. And yes, it'll increase the crowd density, making it a better soccer environment. It'll lower costs somewhat. It'll increase the perceived scarcity of tickets, making it more desirable. The seating will be similar to what we've all been asking for: an SSS. But it'll be "like" an SSS without the new concessions, new facilities, clean bathrooms, better security and so forth that we were hoping to see in an SSS.
If it's not too expensive, I think they should keep it open. I don't buy that whole scarcity of demand stuff that Jeff Bradley is constantly peddling. I don't feel that they should force everyone into the lower bowl if they don't have to. If you have 20,000 fans, why not sell them the best 20,000 seats? If the fans prefer a better sight-line to being cramped in with other fans, so be it. Let them get the seats they want, and I think they'll be more likely to return. Also, I don't beleive they should cut off ticket sales at 25,000 as some feel they should. If I were running DCU and they played at RFK, I wouldn't turn away a paying fan unless I had also sold 56,000 tickets. If someone showed up to a half-filed stadium and was denied a ticket, they'd have a right to be pissed.
I know this is a real stretch, but what if DCU sells out every game? (love to see it). Would the ticket exchange program go bye-bye?
After reading the above I decided to open up the DCU letter I received yesterday, and it was the same thing. I have always wondered who may have been sitting near me up in those seats. Hey, maybe I'll actually be able to catch a t-shirt now