13 Comments

The amount of information FIFA is asking for when you buy tickets is well beyond what they need to know to sell a ticket. And so out of principle I said no thanks. That’s my reason for not going to any games.

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You're the second person who's told me the process has been too annoying to complete.

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100% second this.

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That French football ad is the bomb!!

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Jul 17, 2023Liked by Dylan Cleaver

I’ve been going to Mt Smart since about 2015. There is always a bit of silence after kick off, it’s like the crowd is taking a break from the bombardment of noise beforehand. My experience in the east stand is lots of yelling, it’s pretty wild. I reckon your location in temp stand might be the explanation.

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Quite possibly. The wind meant there was no cauldron effect either, though I have since spoken to a couple of people in the South Stand who said the same thing - that it was like a morgue to start with. Will pay more next time for the East, though i liked the view down the ground.

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Jul 17, 2023Liked by Dylan Cleaver

this was almost my exact experience (the parking, the south stand, the union-friends going ??.... It was unnerving; I hope your explanation is right:)

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Yeah, a couple of people reached out with the same stories. My dad even reckoned there was a palpable lack of buzz registering through the telly. Maybe it's just a chilled out Sunday. To be honest, we'd take a great win and a sleepy crowd over a frenzied loss, wouldn't we?

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Jul 17, 2023·edited Jul 17, 2023

If only I didn't have to work the next day then I could rise early and watch the tennis (excuses excuses), reads like a great final. Nice words from Joko too.

Regarding the football I think you missed one. The kickoff times. Having an 8pm midweek kick off, in the middle of winter, in an open stadium is not conducive to selling tickets. I know not all are that time but you are looking at late school nights so not so easy to take kids. I appreciate it's due to the northern hemisphere we are having those kick off times but doesn't make it any easier to swallow, even with reasonably priced tickets. I'll be interested to see how the crowds are and if the overseas visitors bring some atmosphere to the games. Either way it's always exciting when a world cup comes to little ole NZ.

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Yeah, that's a good point, well made.

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In fairness on the cost of living being a barrier, we got tickets to US vs Netherlands in Wellington for $20 for an adult and $10 for a child. That is cheaper than a Phoenix game. Looking forward to it. Our media can sure jump on the negatives though

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I continue to be fascinated by the different responses of Kiwi league and rugby followers. The Warriors have 2 good wins and they are lauded with excessive optimism. The AB's do the same and all the problems around the wins take most of the column inches. That a win is never good enough is one of the reasons the AB's continue to be so successful, but it must be a burden at times for management and players.

Cheers

Peter Pascoe

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There'a bunch of contextual reasons for this IMO... it might make a good newsletter soon ;-)

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