Atmosphere Thread | 2025/26

M18CTID said:
Sorry, but while you're entitled to your opinion - just like the rest of us - this is a wholly inaccurate post and demeans 1894, while at the same time giving the club a free pass.

Khaldoon/the club have not built a stand conducive to atmosphere. It looks a fantastic stand no doubt, and it would be conducive to atmosphere if they hadn't gone with a mish-mash of seating/standing options in order to cater for a wide range of budgets and had instead catered wholly - or at least primarily - for those fans who would like to move over into a dedicated atmosphere stand. Instead, we're left with a half-baked effort where there are 3000 safe standing spaces (by the way it might've been ZERO safe standing spaces if 1894 hadn't had their say) in a thin strip along the very back of the stand, and down a bit further along the edges, and no amount of artist impression images that you post are ever going to change that fact. If the club are going to go big - which they have - on calling it an atmosphere stand then it's ultimately on them to make sure it's primarily geared towards that.

Despite the above, 1894 along with the OSC have said that they will help facilitate those who want to move into the safe standing spaces in the new stand in order to get as many singers in there as possible in the hope that the whole thing doesn't fall flat on its face. 1894 saying they also want to firm up the singing areas in South Stand as well - because some fans will move out of SS to the new NS - doesn't mean we're just focusing on one small area of SS1 and neglecting everywhere else. There's also SS3 and Kippax Corner too. And 1894 have requested that more rail seating goes in SS3. All 1894 and the OSC trying to do is help improve the current singing sections while at the same time trying to get singers into the new singing section in NS2 for those fans who will want to move there.

And speaking of SS3, that's currently the best stand that is conducive to atmosphere in the whole stadium and is probably the closest replica to the new NS2 that we have. When it gets going up there, it cascades down and across the stadium better than anywhere else. However, most of the singers up there are located at the back of the stand and they can't always get it fully going due to fans further forward not joining in. And given that the main singers in NS2 will also be gathered at the back of the stand, what makes you or anyone else think that they won't face the same challenges that the singers in SS3 often face when trying to get the rest of the stand to join in? Chances are it will be broadly similar to SS3 in that it will be good sometimes but at other times it won't be. Anyone thinking that the whole stand is going to be bouncing every week when many fans in the stand won't even be singers due to the configuration and the club's ticketing policies is being fanciful IMO. Of course, the club still have time to change the configuration - why not 5000 safe standing instead of 3000 and why not set aside a bigger percentage for season ticket holders? - but I won't be banking on it.
Click to expand...

M18CITD - What are your views and other 1894 `members` or associates on the points below ? This has been posted previously without comment from the atmosphere group.

Atmosphere Improvement

All views are welcome.

What do 1894 and their leadership group think about the points below?

Can we have an open debate through City`s main fans forum to hear 1894`s views and the opinions of City fans who are readers and contributors.

What do you agree with and why?

What do you not agree with and why?

Why has 1894 confirmed a stance indicated many months ago to consolidate in the South Stand level 1?
What is the rationale for this? Is it premature given that further information is to be provided by the club in the New Year?

Lets focus on the facts, consider what can be realistically achieved, and then pull together to improve the atmosphere at CITY.

The club is investing significantly in the North Stand and surrounds to help ensure the financial sustainability of the club for the long term and for the benefit of CITY fans.

We must make the most of this opportunity.

North Stand - Advantages - Large level 2 - 9,500 seats * / safe standing
  1. One large home end.
  2. New, wrap round design, better acoustics, visually impressive and dominant.
    The sound will BOOM from the back. More fans will join in on one level.
  3. 3,000 minimum rail seats at the rear.
  4. 1,500 ? extra rail seats can be incorporated down part of both sides.
  5. 4,700? General Admission (GA) seats.
  6. There is more chance these fans will join in the singing. The rear and the side rail seats will envelop the GA.
  7. Pricing - lower priced rail seats compared with the existing South Stand level 1.
  8. 3,000 rail seats will probably be the cheapest in the stadium.
  9. No impact on the majority of existing fans in the current North Stand level 1 and level 2
  10. 300 GA+ seats in level 2 will have no impact on the atmosphere that can be generated by 9,200 fans behind.
  11. A proper, big, dominant, visually impressive home end on level 2, not split for PL matches and not allocated to away fans for cup matches.
  12. The chance for a new beginning, refresh and renewal.
*seating figures are estimates.

North Stand - Disadvantages

What are the downsides ?
Are they of any real significance compared with the advantages?

South Stand - Disadvantages
  1. Split over 3 levels
  2. No cohesion between the 3 different levels.
  3. Too small with a low rake at level 1.
  4. Sound deadening overhang at the rear of the level 1.
  5. Not a `proper, complete end by any definition or in comparison with other clubs.
  6. The middle and upper levels are allocated to away fans for cup matches. They usually dominate the singing.
  7. The SS design does not work well for atmosphere. It does not seem to be improving.
  8. There is little scope for it to be much better due to the stand`s layout.
  9. Away fans will always be located in the SS due to access and egress, a dedicated coach / car park and police / health and safety requirements.
  10. Pricing - level 1 is higher priced compared with the rear of level 3.
  11. Barely visible on TV.
South Stand Level 1 - Advantages - 3,000 safe standing

1. It is currently an area where the best atmosphere is generated most often.
2. It has an active group who have put in time and effort in building level 1 into a safe standing area.
3.Visible displays. There have been some good ones.
They are only visible for a short time, pre-match before being rolled away. The amount of time, effort and cost of displays is significant.
How much of an atmosphere generator, are the displays?
4.Some fans are settled and prefer level 1 viewing.
5.Some fans prefer `banter` with away fans.
How does this contribute to the atmosphere and supporting the team?
6.Some like the type of facilities on the level 1 concourse.

What will be the better chance of improving the atmosphere? One large North Stand, Level 2, or a small, split, level 1 South Stand?
 
FootballSense said:
M18CITD - What are your views and other 1894 `members` or associates on the points below ? This has been posted previously without comment from the atmosphere group.

Atmosphere Improvement

All views are welcome.

What do 1894 and their leadership group think about the points below?

Can we have an open debate through City`s main fans forum to hear 1894`s views and the opinions of City fans who are readers and contributors.

What do you agree with and why?

What do you not agree with and why?

Why has 1894 confirmed a stance indicated many months ago to consolidate in the South Stand level 1?
What is the rationale for this? Is it premature given that further information is to be provided by the club in the New Year?

Lets focus on the facts, consider what can be realistically achieved, and then pull together to improve the atmosphere at CITY.

The club is investing significantly in the North Stand and surrounds to help ensure the financial sustainability of the club for the long term and for the benefit of CITY fans.

We must make the most of this opportunity.

North Stand - Advantages - Large level 2 - 9,500 seats * / safe standing
  1. One large home end.
  2. New, wrap round design, better acoustics, visually impressive and dominant.
    The sound will BOOM from the back. More fans will join in on one level.
  3. 3,000 minimum rail seats at the rear.
  4. 1,500 ? extra rail seats can be incorporated down part of both sides.
  5. 4,700? General Admission (GA) seats.
  6. There is more chance these fans will join in the singing. The rear and the side rail seats will envelop the GA.
  7. Pricing - lower priced rail seats compared with the existing South Stand level 1.
  8. 3,000 rail seats will probably be the cheapest in the stadium.
  9. No impact on the majority of existing fans in the current North Stand level 1 and level 2
  10. 300 GA+ seats in level 2 will have no impact on the atmosphere that can be generated by 9,200 fans behind.
  11. A proper, big, dominant, visually impressive home end on level 2, not split for PL matches and not allocated to away fans for cup matches.
  12. The chance for a new beginning, refresh and renewal.
*seating figures are estimates.

North Stand - Disadvantages

What are the downsides ?
Are they of any real significance compared with the advantages?

South Stand - Disadvantages
  1. Split over 3 levels
  2. No cohesion between the 3 different levels.
  3. Too small with a low rake at level 1.
  4. Sound deadening overhang at the rear of the level 1.
  5. Not a `proper, complete end by any definition or in comparison with other clubs.
  6. The middle and upper levels are allocated to away fans for cup matches. They usually dominate the singing.
  7. The SS design does not work well for atmosphere. It does not seem to be improving.
  8. There is little scope for it to be much better due to the stand`s layout.
  9. Away fans will always be located in the SS due to access and egress, a dedicated coach / car park and police / health and safety requirements.
  10. Pricing - level 1 is higher priced compared with the rear of level 3.
  11. Barely visible on TV.
South Stand Level 1 - Advantages - 3,000 safe standing

1. It is currently an area where the best atmosphere is generated most often.
2. It has an active group who have put in time and effort in building level 1 into a safe standing area.
3.Visible displays. There have been some good ones.
They are only visible for a short time, pre-match before being rolled away. The amount of time, effort and cost of displays is significant.
How much of an atmosphere generator, are the displays?
4.Some fans are settled and prefer level 1 viewing.
5.Some fans prefer `banter` with away fans.
How does this contribute to the atmosphere and supporting the team?
6.Some like the type of facilities on the level 1 concourse.

What will be the better chance of improving the atmosphere? One large North Stand, Level 2, or a small, split, level 1 South Stand?
Click to expand...
I saw you post this the other day and didn’t get chance to respond. I think the post of mine you’ve quoted explains 1894’s position as clearly as possible (also some of the opinions I’ve given in that post are my own personal views) and deals with many of your points. We welcome all constructive feedback, both positive and negative, but we literally don’t have time to keep responding to every individual poster on here and elsewhere (we all have day jobs you know!) when we’re already spending hours of our spare time planning displays and campaigning on various fan-specific issues.

Just to recap that 1894 and the OSC are going to be working with the club in helping as many singers as possible move into the main atmosphere areas of the stadium, including the safe standing section of the new North Stand but as of now we don’t have a detailed framework regarding how that process will work. When we do, it will be made public.
 
Sheik Battle and Goal said:
Cheap affordable tickets for families and next generation of kids.. who’d have thought it :)
Click to expand...
Exactly! Affordable tickets and usually it will sell out. It won’t be full of tourists or away fans either, it will be full of city fans/ families who can’t afford to go regularly and should be attending more games
 
EastMidlandsBlue said:
I think there's a time and place for this. When we play Galatasaray next month I'll absolutely understand it, as we've known for months that Galatasaray fans are going to try and get into the home end.

However as you say, no Brighton fan was going to go in the home end, given the away end didn't sell out. What was the point at all in doing these checks in the freezing cold last night.
Click to expand...
Those who employ the stewards to search understand they won't comprehend different instructions for different games so it's the full "open your jackets, take off your hats" routine for every match.
I'm really not sure how we survived all those games at Maine Road without searches.
 
FootballSense said:
M18CITD - What are your views and other 1894 `members` or associates on the points below ? This has been posted previously without comment from the atmosphere group.

Atmosphere Improvement

All views are welcome.

What do 1894 and their leadership group think about the points below?

Can we have an open debate through City`s main fans forum to hear 1894`s views and the opinions of City fans who are readers and contributors.

What do you agree with and why?

What do you not agree with and why?

Why has 1894 confirmed a stance indicated many months ago to consolidate in the South Stand level 1?
What is the rationale for this? Is it premature given that further information is to be provided by the club in the New Year?

Lets focus on the facts, consider what can be realistically achieved, and then pull together to improve the atmosphere at CITY.

The club is investing significantly in the North Stand and surrounds to help ensure the financial sustainability of the club for the long term and for the benefit of CITY fans.

We must make the most of this opportunity.

North Stand - Advantages - Large level 2 - 9,500 seats * / safe standing
  1. One large home end.
  2. New, wrap round design, better acoustics, visually impressive and dominant.
    The sound will BOOM from the back. More fans will join in on one level.
  3. 3,000 minimum rail seats at the rear.
  4. 1,500 ? extra rail seats can be incorporated down part of both sides.
  5. 4,700? General Admission (GA) seats.
  6. There is more chance these fans will join in the singing. The rear and the side rail seats will envelop the GA.
  7. Pricing - lower priced rail seats compared with the existing South Stand level 1.
  8. 3,000 rail seats will probably be the cheapest in the stadium.
  9. No impact on the majority of existing fans in the current North Stand level 1 and level 2
  10. 300 GA+ seats in level 2 will have no impact on the atmosphere that can be generated by 9,200 fans behind.
  11. A proper, big, dominant, visually impressive home end on level 2, not split for PL matches and not allocated to away fans for cup matches.
  12. The chance for a new beginning, refresh and renewal.
*seating figures are estimates.

North Stand - Disadvantages

What are the downsides ?
Are they of any real significance compared with the advantages?

South Stand - Disadvantages
  1. Split over 3 levels
  2. No cohesion between the 3 different levels.
  3. Too small with a low rake at level 1.
  4. Sound deadening overhang at the rear of the level 1.
  5. Not a `proper, complete end by any definition or in comparison with other clubs.
  6. The middle and upper levels are allocated to away fans for cup matches. They usually dominate the singing.
  7. The SS design does not work well for atmosphere. It does not seem to be improving.
  8. There is little scope for it to be much better due to the stand`s layout.
  9. Away fans will always be located in the SS due to access and egress, a dedicated coach / car park and police / health and safety requirements.
  10. Pricing - level 1 is higher priced compared with the rear of level 3.
  11. Barely visible on TV.
South Stand Level 1 - Advantages - 3,000 safe standing

1. It is currently an area where the best atmosphere is generated most often.
2. It has an active group who have put in time and effort in building level 1 into a safe standing area.
3.Visible displays. There have been some good ones.
They are only visible for a short time, pre-match before being rolled away. The amount of time, effort and cost of displays is significant.
How much of an atmosphere generator, are the displays?
4.Some fans are settled and prefer level 1 viewing.
5.Some fans prefer `banter` with away fans.
How does this contribute to the atmosphere and supporting the team?
6.Some like the type of facilities on the level 1 concourse.

What will be the better chance of improving the atmosphere? One large North Stand, Level 2, or a small, split, level 1 South Stand?
Click to expand...

The NS is a no brainer for the early leavers who get the tram too :-)
 
.db. said:
Khaldoon has sorted it.

He’s sorted a purpose built stand, conducive to atmosphere, a giant big tier that we’ve been crying out for as a club for decades, it’s staring us in the face… and our atmosphere group want to stay in a bobbins little effort of a tier in the away stand where we probably couldn’t have a worse set-up for atmosphere if we tried.

This

View attachment 179644


Instead of this

View attachment 179645
Click to expand...
Exactly .db…
 
Ivan Lentil said:
Those fans bemoaning our lack of a 12th man in a game against Brighton should note that Arsenal’s biggest game of the season is being played out in virtual silence bar the odd sporadic chant
Click to expand...

With sporadic chanting of Arsenal, Arsenal, Arsenal, and a drum constantly being banged with no Arsenal fans singing along to it.

I really don’t think people should criticise our atmosphere in comparison.

Last nights atmosphere, especially in the 1st half when the ref wound the fans up, is miles better than Arsenal’s atmosphere tonight. And Arsenal have 8000 more fans in their stadium than we had in our stadium last night against Brighton, who didn’t fill the away end.
 
jrb said:
Affordable tickets with parents and their children, and families being able to buy seats together and to sit together.
Click to expand...
That’s exact the case for us today. Me, my wife and my daughter all heading to the game today. Would love to do it more often. Up the blues.
 
jrb said:
Affordable tickets with parents and their children, and families being able to buy seats together and to sit together.
Click to expand...
And how do you do that without unreserved seating? Season tickets are generally available in all home areas so there are always likely to be single tickets only once cup scheme tickets have been removed.
 
M18CTID said:
Sorry, but while you're entitled to your opinion - just like the rest of us - this is a wholly inaccurate post and demeans 1894, while at the same time giving the club a free pass.

Khaldoon/the club have not built a stand conducive to atmosphere. It looks a fantastic stand no doubt, and it would be conducive to atmosphere if they hadn't gone with a mish-mash of seating/standing options in order to cater for a wide range of budgets and had instead catered wholly - or at least primarily - for those fans who would like to move over into a dedicated atmosphere stand. Instead, we're left with a half-baked effort where there are 3000 safe standing spaces (by the way it might've been ZERO safe standing spaces if 1894 hadn't had their say) in a thin strip along the very back of the stand, and down a bit further along the edges, and no amount of artist impression images that you post are ever going to change that fact. If the club are going to go big - which they have - on calling it an atmosphere stand then it's ultimately on them to make sure it's primarily geared towards that.

Despite the above, 1894 along with the OSC have said that they will help facilitate those who want to move into the safe standing spaces in the new stand in order to get as many singers in there as possible in the hope that the whole thing doesn't fall flat on its face. 1894 saying they also want to firm up the singing areas in South Stand as well - because some fans will move out of SS to the new NS - doesn't mean we're just focusing on one small area of SS1 and neglecting everywhere else. There's also SS3 and Kippax Corner too. And 1894 have requested that more rail seating goes in SS3. All 1894 and the OSC trying to do is help improve the current singing sections while at the same time trying to get singers into the new singing section in NS2 for those fans who will want to move there.

And speaking of SS3, that's currently the best stand that is conducive to atmosphere in the whole stadium and is probably the closest replica to the new NS2 that we have. When it gets going up there, it cascades down and across the stadium better than anywhere else. However, most of the singers up there are located at the back of the stand and they can't always get it fully going due to fans further forward not joining in. And given that the main singers in NS2 will also be gathered at the back of the stand, what makes you or anyone else think that they won't face the same challenges that the singers in SS3 often face when trying to get the rest of the stand to join in? Chances are it will be broadly similar to SS3 in that it will be good sometimes but at other times it won't be. Anyone thinking that the whole stand is going to be bouncing every week when many fans in the stand won't even be singers due to the configuration and the club's ticketing policies is being fanciful IMO. Of course, the club still have time to change the configuration - why not 5000 safe standing instead of 3000 and why not set aside a bigger percentage for season ticket holders? - but I won't be banking on it.
Click to expand...
1. The image shown by the poster you replied to of the South Stand lower is accurate. It clearly highlights in purple a small, part of one stand. This is meant to be City`s home end where a lot of the the `atmosphere` group congregate. That is a fact.

2. The new North Stand will be on one huge level with a capacity of approx. 9,500 . These are General Admission (GA) and include a minimum of 3,000 safe standing (more can be added) and approx. only 300 GA+ seats which will probably be occupied by the type of fans who use `Kits`. These are facts.

3. Why do you think that General Admission including safe standing is a mis-mash?

4. The advantages / disadvantages of the South Stand have been clearly set out by other posters. Do you agree with those facts?

5.Why do you think that trying to encourage a few more to relocate to the South Stand, lets say 50 decide to do so, will make a significant difference?

6.Why did 1894 take a premature stance last year to stay in the South Stand when much more will be known during 2026?

By taking up this position, it will naturally weaken the prospects for the North Stand .

7. Re: your last paragraph, the singers currently at the back of the top level of the South Stand may have difficulty getting it going precisely because the stand is split into 3 and the atmosphere group in the lower level are disconnected, can not be seen and can not be heard.

6. It is evident that if the current singers in the top level of the South Stand, those singers in the lower level, and those singers in Kippax corner, all move into the North Stand on ONE level, it will have more chance of being better. This is logical and objective.

I do not who you are or who the `Elders` are in the 1894. I am looking at this based on facts and objective criteria.

This afternoon City`s home end will be 2/3rds full of away fans. They will once again drown out the small lower level.

This will always happen at the South Stand. Away fans will displace home fans !

It would be helpful to try and understand more of your thoughts on this, those views of any other `members` of 1894, and fans generally through this forum.
 
Well before the negative lot come, I'm gonna have my say.

I really enjoyed today, that will leave lasting memories on the many many youngsters attending their first game today. Atmosphere was alright, not a peep from Exeter once we'd gone 1-0 up.

The setup for Cup games is awful, and at the start when the Exeter fans were all giddy, south stand couldn't get a word in. But once they calmed down I thought South Stand did alright today.

Please please please can we have more games priced like this City
 
Tim of the Oak said:
That will be an important part of the new North Stand. Sadly no Blue Wall but it is better than nothing.
Click to expand...

You, we hope. We don’t know yet.

I can’t see the 5000 seated seats on NSL2 being anymore affordable and the cheapest seats in the stadium.

The safe standing match day seats in SSL1 and the Kippax corner aren’t cheap for a PL game. Why will the 3000 safe standing match day seats on NSL1 be anymore cheaper?

There’s nothing so far from the club to indicate what the prices will be for the safe standing and seated seats on NSL2.

We can only live in hope.

I’m not having a go at you Tim. I hope you are right?
 
Last edited:
The atmosphere was terrible, as it’s been all season.

However I will say it was great to see so many families and young kids in the ground - you never see that in league games.

We have two season tickets currently and today there was nine of us that attended. All long standing blues, kids and people that have stopped going regularly

Decent kick off, affordable prices and there were barely any tourists at all. The crowd was much more representative of what our crowd would be if it was more affordable
 
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