North Stand expansion - seating, ticketing etc

[jrb]

It might not be the case, but It would be pretty disappointing if the food hall was for premium seats only. It’s looking like if I did move there I won’t be using the food hall, premium bars, sky bar or the hotel.

Maybe it’ll mean cheaper tickets for most of the people in there who aren’t classed as GA/premium. It kind of feels like these ‘amazing’ add ons won’t be affordable for most people.

I was on a recent tour of the ground and about 80% was about the tunnel club and corporate, so it’s not a shock to see this is where the club are focused.

Perhaps I’m wrong. The food hall has to be another hospitality offering as it’s limited to 500 people. As a rule, hospitality comes with a central hospitality location and seating on the terraces.

Off to the Etihad.

I’ll post the pictures later on this Afternoon.

 

[Coatigan]

We all know about the 300 GA+ seats at the front of NSL2 and the attached bar under the stand.

It’s this mysterious match day 500 (limited) capacity food hall that is mentioned in the configuration press release. Which if I’m correct nobody, knew about until the press release. The seating, 500 seats, that I assume go with it, are also a mystery. Is there going to be a block of 500 seats put aside for City fans who have paid extra and booked the food hall? If there is, which I’m not saying there will be as l/we don’t know, that will be 300 GA+ seats, and 500 food hall seats. Maybe the additional food hall cost only includes GA seats in the centre of NSL2? Who knows?

Just so we don’t end up discussing two separate things.

GA+ in the PA is 648 seats, with an attached bar below, that as a space can hold 600ish. But now in that statement that bar seems to be at a capacity of 300ish.

Re the food hall, as I read it, I don't think the 500 is additional, limited, or necessarily a mystery, myself. Food halls are mentioned in the PA, as part of the main space and concourse. Those bars can hold like 3k, from memory. So 500 of that being food hall offering with the rest just normal bars sounds a typical-ish proportion offering.

That's presuming this is on the Level 1 concourse, around the GA+ bar. It could be on the main level below where the City Hall is, that from memory has a capacity of 1.5k, of which a third could be the 500 food hall.

Purely by their own statement though, I don't read the 500 as additional, premium, or exclusive. But I also wouldn't argue that is 'clear' either.

 

[Coatigan]

I thought we knew about the roughly 700 GA+ seats at the front, so maybe up to 300 in the bar area and up to 500 in the foodhall area.

That's what makes the 300 number intriguing. And potentially in the long run a good thing if it 'forces' more than half the GA+ to mingle with the rest on the concourse. There is another interesting angle here, that has stuck with me from a discussion from some time ago. But that aside, there is a definite 'halving' of the GA+ bar capacity, from what it was in the PA, of that I am sure.

 

[Coatigan]

It might not be the case, but It would be pretty disappointing if the food hall was for premium seats only. It’s looking like if I did move there I won’t be using the food hall, premium bars, sky bar or the hotel.

Maybe it’ll mean cheaper tickets for most of the people in there who aren’t classed as GA/premium. It kind of feels like these ‘amazing’ add ons won’t be affordable for most people.

I was on a recent tour of the ground and about 80% was about the tunnel club and corporate, so it’s not a shock to see this is where the club are focused.

It would be disappointing. I don't read it that way, I read it as 'part of' a wider concourse that absorbs it. Based more on how the numbers work out than the wording. But just my own take. It will come out in the wash as the club reveal more.

 

[Coatigan]

I was under the impression, like most of us are, that the GA+ seats at the front of NSL2 were the only hospitality seats and area on NSL2, and the remaining seats on NSL2 were all GA and rail seating. Until the press release there was no mention of another match day hospitality (food hall) area.(and seating)

The vague configuration press release by the club further plays into the general confusion about the new North stand.

Bear in mind it doesn't actually say that it is hospitality. It is vague as fuck, yeah. But open to both interpretations.

 

[blueparrot]

I was under the impression, like most of us are, that the GA+ seats at the front of NSL2 were the only hospitality seats and area on NSL2, and the remaining seats on NSL2 were all GA and rail seating. Until the press release there was no mention of another match day hospitality (food hall) area.(and seating)

The vague configuration press release by the club further plays into the general confusion about the new North stand.

It is vague but it's more likely to be just the original GA+ seats we've always known about than another seperate area.

 

[M18CTID]

It might not be the case, but It would be pretty disappointing if the food hall was for premium seats only. It’s looking like if I did move there I won’t be using the food hall, premium bars, sky bar or the hotel.

Maybe it’ll mean cheaper tickets for most of the people in there who aren’t classed as GA/premium. It kind of feels like these ‘amazing’ add ons won’t be affordable for most people.

I was on a recent tour of the ground and about 80% was about the tunnel club and corporate, so it’s not a shock to see this is where the club are focused.

How about the 3000 capacity City Hall/Square? Surely all fans would have access to that? I'm getting confused with what's what now!

 

[Coatigan]

How about the 3000 capacity City Hall/Square? Surely all fans would have access to that? I'm getting confused with what's what now!

- City Square is outside the stand, the covered bit between the two claw buildings. Capacity of 2.5 - 3k

- City Hall is inside the stand on the ground floor, through the main entrance, capacity of 1.8k

- The Main Concourse is on Level 1, under the start of the single tier stand, has a capacity of 3.2k plus a private bar of 600 (now 300 in the latest club statement).

-The Upper concourse is halfway up the tier, capacity of 6.3k, general admission free for all pretty much

- above that is the 12 hotel bedrooms incl. two VIP rooms that look out onto the pitch, but are accessed through the hotel and vip lift

- the sky bar at the top, capacity of 500ish. Vip and premium.


Where the 'food hall' is, open to interpretation, I read it as part of the main concourse on L1 amongst the other GA bars but outwith the 600 (now 300) GA+ bar. More, because it has kitchens, that would cater for that number, where as the other concourse does not. I am putting that and the vague wording of the starement together. I could be wrong.

 

[51Chappie]

- City Square is outside the stand, the covered bit between the two claw buildings. Capacity of 2.5 - 3k

- City Hall is inside the stand on the ground floor, through the main entrance, capacity of 1.8k

- The Main Concourse is on Level 1, under the start of the single tier stand, has a capacity of 3.2k plus a private bar of 600 (now 300 it seems).

-The Upper concourse is halfway up the tier, capacity of 6.3k, general admission pretty much

- above that is the 12 hotel bedrooms that look out onto the pitch, but are.accessed through the hotel and vip lift

- the sky bar at the top, capacity of 500ish. Vip and premium.


Where the 'food hall' is, open to interpretation, I read it as part of the main concourse on L1 amongst the other GA bars but outwith the 600 (now 300) GA+ bar. More, because it has kitchens, that would cater for that number, where as the other concourse does not. I am putting that and the vague wording of the starement together. I could be wrong.

Is this is the area of the ‘food hall’? You can see hospitality in the centre and the concourse access on the sides.

 

[Coatigan]

Is this is the area of the ‘food hall’? You can see hospitality in the centre and the concourse access on the sides.

That's what I am assuming, yeah.

The way I see that level working is, the first 10-20 rows of the new stand, including the GA+ would use that concourse. Obviously rows 15-20 have the choice of the bigger concourse above too.

If you are a GA regular punter, you get drinks in one of the 4 huge bars there. If you want food, you get it from the two that serve it. If you are one of the 648 GA+ posh folk, you can get your drink from the GA+ bar which would presumably be quicker, OR any other bar if you want to enjoy the crowds. The GA+ bar is up to 600 so could in theory take that whole group of seats, but the recent statement suggests it will be restricted ro 300. If you are GA+ and you want food during the match, you can get it with the rest of the concourse from the two that serve it. All of you will piss in the same toilets, the GA+ don't have dedicated loos, they juat have a dedicated bar.


The other 35 rows, would use the concourse above, which is only GA, and only drinks from how it looks. And toilets. If they want food, they need to go to L1 below, or the ground floor city hall. The 25 rows of tier 1, would use the ground floor city hall. The skybar and 'true' hospitality areas take care if themselves, with their own kitchens and toilets, they don't need to mingle.

All just how I myself read that.

 

[jrb]

Going back to moving the away fans. Hypothetical I know.

I've taken some pictures of the area outside the away end adjacent to the away coach park.

It can be done, current home entrances and exits can be incorporated into additional away entrances and exits outside the ground.

However, there is another issue. The ES spiral would directly overlook and be closer to the outside away area, meaning the spiral would have to be stewarded or barriers would have to be added to the spiral to stop items being thrown at the away fans from the spiral. As well as City fans gathering on the spiral having a go at the away fans.

You'll see what I mean from the pictures.

 

[Luddite_Blue]

With the new North Stand I think City's expectation will be that the main demand for any new season tickets/ flexi gold will be from family groups.

I recall being moved for a cup game with 114 being made available for City fans who were sat down. I found this surprising at the time thinking 90% of the ground is very family friendly and yet still the demand was from families rather than groups of lads (and lasses) in their 20s/30s. There is a thread on here saying in the returned seats from Fulham in SSL3 on Saturday, the majority were sat down despite it being completely filled with rail seats.

There will be some generalisation here but I think with all seater stadiums and reserved seats booked weeks in advance there is just a natural bias towards family groups rather than a group of young lads (and lasses) with it being easier for families to organise and no real need to coordinate payments. If for instance seats were unreserved that may change this bias allowing groups of lads (and lasses) to book as and when (I'm not arguing one way or another here on the merits of unreserved seating).

Additionally I think the flexi gold tickets are more geared to families as well with them generally
being better organised with their finances to always be able to pay for the game 3 weeks before
and a family group is more likely to all be away at the same time and flexi gold means that isn't an issue.

Also with new season tickets having been restricted for a few seasons I think there will be a lot of suppressed demand from parents who are existing season ticket holders with school age children who will see the opening of the new stand as the one opportunity to get their child a season ticket.

I therefore think it's going to be very unlikely that the number of rail seats in the new North Stand will be increased above 3,000.

 

[Gone for a Burton]

Going back to moving the away fans. Hypothetical I know.

I've taken some pictures of the area outside the away end adjacent to the away coach park.

It can be done, current home entrances and exits can be incorporated into additional away entrances and exits outside the ground.

However, there is another issue. The ES spiral would directly overlook and be closer to the outside away area, meaning the spiral would have to be stewarded or barriers would have to be added to the spiral to stop items being thrown at the away fans from the spiral. As well as City fans gathering on the spiral having a go at the away fans.

You'll see what I mean from the pictures.

All very low cost capex & do able.

This reorganisation should have its own thread.

It's as valuable a move as any of the others but with bigger benefits at less cost.

 

[Coatigan]

All very low cost capex & do able.

This reorganisation should have its own thread.

It's as valuable a move as any of the others but with bigger benefits at less cost.

Has there ever been any appetite for it whatsoever? Have any of the fan reps or groups ever pushed for it?

 

[jrb]

All very low cost capex & do able.

This reorganisation should have its own thread.

It's as valuable a move as any of the others but with bigger benefits at less cost.

Or, much taller mobile metal barriers that currently separate the home fans from the away fans outside the ground.

As I’ve said previously, with many agreeing, it can be done if the club want to do it, as part of the new North stand seat configuration around the Etihad.

 

[jrb]

Has there ever been any appetite for it whatsoever? Have any of the fan reps or groups ever pushed for it?

No, but I’m sure the City Matters Reps and 1894 could consult the club about it.

As we know, the club, Danny Wilson, etc read this thread, so they will know it’s being discussed, regardless of what their initial reactions to it are.

 

[TheGhost]

Has there ever been any appetite for it whatsoever? Have any of the fan reps or groups ever pushed for it?

There should be a vertical row of single seats in SSL1 & SSL2 to meet the pitch side criteria and the rest of the away fans in SSL3

 

[TheGhost]

With the new North Stand I think City's expectation will be that the main demand for any new season tickets/ flexi gold will be from family groups.

I recall being moved for a cup game with 114 being made available for City fans who were sat down. I found this surprising at the time thinking 90% of the ground is very family friendly and yet still the demand was from families rather than groups of lads (and lasses) in their 20s/30s. There is a thread on here saying in the returned seats from Fulham in SSL3 on Saturday, the majority were sat down despite it being completely filled with rail seats.

There will be some generalisation here but I think with all seater stadiums and reserved seats booked weeks in advance there is just a natural bias towards family groups rather than a group of young lads (and lasses) with it being easier for families to organise and no real need to coordinate payments. If for instance seats were unreserved that may change this bias allowing groups of lads (and lasses) to book as and when (I'm not arguing one way or another here on the merits of unreserved seating).

Additionally I think the flexi gold tickets are more geared to families as well with them generally
being better organised with their finances to always be able to pay for the game 3 weeks before
and a family group is more likely to all be away at the same time and flexi gold means that isn't an issue.

Also with new season tickets having been restricted for a few seasons I think there will be a lot of suppressed demand from parents who are existing season ticket holders with school age children who will see the opening of the new stand as the one opportunity to get their child a season ticket.

I therefore think it's going to be very unlikely that the number of rail seats in the new North Stand will be increased above 3,000.

I noticed in the Fulham game the majority of fans next to where the away fans are in SSL3 (from back almost to the front) stood for most of the game. They should all be rail seating.

 

[Coatigan]

No, but I’m sure the City Matters Reps and 1894 could consult the club about it.

As we know, the club, Danny Wilson, etc read this thread, so they will know it’s being discussed, regardless of what their initial reactions to it are.

Wouldn't they only consult the club if numbers of their members had an appetite for it?

It doesn't seem to be something the club wants. Doesn't seem to be something the supporters particularly want or plare pushing for. Wouldn't really change otherwise.

 

[Luddite_Blue]

I noticed in the Fulham game the majority of fans next to where the away fans are in SSL3 (from back almost to the front) stood for most of the game. They should all be rail seating.

I agree with your views on this. I think with the proposals it will result in 4 different areas where fans sing, none of which will be able to hear each other that well.

After spending 300 million on the stand, once it settles down, I think the outcome will be
that the most vigorous singing area will still be 115 and the area where the sound carries
the most from will still be SSL3.

I think there's a correlation between ticket prices and atmosphere so the best outcome would be putting in rail seats in all of SSL3 and then making provision for those in SSL3 who would be unhappy with this.

Although with the APT result, maybe there can be cheap prices all round!!!!