RFL explain Challenge Cup decision amid fan anger at ground choice
Posted: Wed May 12, 2021 6:19 pm
Fans have been left furious after it was confirmed each club would only be allocated 600 tickets each.
It's fair to say the RFL's decision to stage the Challenge Cup semi-final at Leigh Sports Village has not gone down well.
The governing body has confirmed plans to stage the event at the home of Leigh Centurions, with the two semi-finals, as well as the Women's Challenge Cup Final, all to take place on the same day.
But fans are livid after it was confirmed that each club in attendance would only receive 600 tickets for the event, leaving many season ticket holders at each club without the opportunity to go.
Many have questioned why the 12,000 capacity stadium has been chosen for the event ahead of a larger facility, which would have allowed more fans to attend.
The RFL has explained the move in a statement on their website, citing a number of reasons behind the decision.
It reads: "We are very grateful to Leigh Sports Village for hosting this event. Several stadiums were considered based on being a neutral venue for the four semi-finalists, being available on June 5, being able to host Rugby League, being geographically located somewhere accessible for the fans who would want to attend. Measured against this criteria Leigh Sports Village was the best stadium to host the event."
Others have questioned the decision to stage a triple-header. In response, the RFL said: "Running the event as a triple header was planned over six months ago and at that time it was impossible to predict what situation the country would be in.
"A triple header at one stadium guaranteed BBC coverage of all three games with the opportunity to showcase Rugby League and the Betfred Challenge Cup to millions of people around the world
That’s just bizarre," another said. "Play it somewhere bigger and sell more tickets. Supply and demand is much bigger than 600!"
The Black and Whites will face Super League champions St Helens in the semi-final. They have 6,000 members, meaning only around 10 per cent will be able to attend.
https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... on-5406950
It's fair to say the RFL's decision to stage the Challenge Cup semi-final at Leigh Sports Village has not gone down well.
The governing body has confirmed plans to stage the event at the home of Leigh Centurions, with the two semi-finals, as well as the Women's Challenge Cup Final, all to take place on the same day.
But fans are livid after it was confirmed that each club in attendance would only receive 600 tickets for the event, leaving many season ticket holders at each club without the opportunity to go.
Many have questioned why the 12,000 capacity stadium has been chosen for the event ahead of a larger facility, which would have allowed more fans to attend.
The RFL has explained the move in a statement on their website, citing a number of reasons behind the decision.
It reads: "We are very grateful to Leigh Sports Village for hosting this event. Several stadiums were considered based on being a neutral venue for the four semi-finalists, being available on June 5, being able to host Rugby League, being geographically located somewhere accessible for the fans who would want to attend. Measured against this criteria Leigh Sports Village was the best stadium to host the event."
Others have questioned the decision to stage a triple-header. In response, the RFL said: "Running the event as a triple header was planned over six months ago and at that time it was impossible to predict what situation the country would be in.
"A triple header at one stadium guaranteed BBC coverage of all three games with the opportunity to showcase Rugby League and the Betfred Challenge Cup to millions of people around the world
That’s just bizarre," another said. "Play it somewhere bigger and sell more tickets. Supply and demand is much bigger than 600!"
The Black and Whites will face Super League champions St Helens in the semi-final. They have 6,000 members, meaning only around 10 per cent will be able to attend.
https://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/sport/r ... on-5406950