Why there are so many empty seats at ‘sold out’ games (17/3)

[gooner.ed]

usual thread starter... i often wonder about this phenomenon, especially in the family enclosure where there seem to always be loads of empty spots, regardless of the opposition.

[Highbury_Squirrel]

usual thread starter... i often wonder about this phenomenon, especially in the family enclosure where there seem to always be loads of empty spots, regardless of the opposition.

I think you only have half the answer there.

I think a lot of people go on holiday, and dont bother to pass the tickets on. When you look at the games around half term - and at the start of the season, you can really start to see the difference.

Additionally we certainly are still in transistion as far as the supporters moving to the new stadium is concerned. An influx of 10,000 new season tickets, around 25% more than last year, will certainly mean that some new (and old) gold members find they suddenly cant go to every game. They cant be bothered with a relegation fight on a Tuesday night in December. The cat needs a burial because it got starved after the last bun fight to get on the tube meant that they were home an entire 15 minutes later than normal etc etc etc ....

I think we will also always have these empty tickets. I think it is something that we will have to learn to live with. Good times should equal fewer empties, and bad times .......

I think Arsenal should offer a 50% refund on tickets given back 7 days before a game (only if sold on), and charge full price on resale. The additional 50% should go to the youth development, and a tally be kept of this amount. Then everyone wins - except the touts who might find it a bit harder with the extra allocation given close to match days!

The cards are electronic - so canceling the game is no problem. Recharging the electronic cards of the buyers would likewise be easy, or paper tickets could be issued. The winners being silver / red members or even the public if the laws are ever relaxed. That way tourists could get to see the game, who seem to make up a large part of the touts market.

I have only sat in my seat for two or three games this season. I have found a much better seat that is barely used. Who does use it? Touts, the club, I dont really care. I get to sit closer. And why not? What is annoying is the fact that a true fan could have the seat I use. Or prefferably mine!

[Highbury_Squirrel]

...here seem to always be loads of empty spots...

Just heard a story on Five Live (so it must be true / untrue *delete as appropriate)

Season ticket holder has a spare ticket next to him at the beginning of the season. As the season progresses through October, November and December there is still no-one sitting there.

Eventually, on the first game of 2007, someone sits down. "Excuse me" the man says, "but that is a season ticket holders seat".

"I know, it is mine" says the stranger.

"how come this is your first game then" he replies.

"Well, my wife got the season ticket for me. She thought it would make an ideal christmas present....."

[tenementfunster5]

What a stupid twat. Thats like buying a round the world cruise but only telling your partner after 8 destinations.

[gunner67]

Or maybe the club should see how many times a season ticket holder has used his card in a season and maybe pass it on to a waiting list member if he hasn't used it a certain amount of times in a season.

[Cesc is God]

You do know that we have Corporate Season Tickets?

It's like the Club Level/Executive Box situation

[MK Gould]

...here seem to always be loads of empty spots...

Just heard a story on Five Live (so it must be true / untrue *delete as appropriate)

Season ticket holder has a spare ticket next to him at the beginning of the season. As the season progresses through October, November and December there is still no-one sitting there.

Eventually, on the first game of 2007, someone sits down. "Excuse me" the man says, "but that is a season ticket holders seat".

"I know, it is mine" says the stranger.

"how come this is your first game then" he replies.

"Well, my wife got the season ticket for me. She thought it would make an ideal christmas present....."

If I had a £1 for every time I've heard that one. Its a joke - its not true....!! I think the dick head commentator also said (maybe i heard him wrong cos i was kicking the dog at that stage!!!) that Moyes dance onto the pitch reminded him when David Pleat did the same thing at Old Trafford. It was actually at Maine Road!!! Also, the reason why you see empty seats in the Family Enclosure is that its the only part of the ground where you can't (officially anyway) let someone else use your ticket!! You are supposed to write into the club and ask permission!! And when we have so many midweek home games - v.few of which fall during the school holidays - its not really a surprise.