Potential for MORE games in Chch next year?

Potential for MORE games in Chch next year?

I see Tony P has been saying that if this season's game is well supported that Christchurch might get "at least" one A-League game a season?

Uh Oh. Not again.

Sorry but this story has just come out today as far as I can tell so I think it's reasonable to ask the question.

1 game a season in Christchurch with a 27(?) game season is reasonable to me. I can see the advantages. However, more than one game would pushing it for me.

True, but the point I was trying to get across was that with an extended season, 1 game is OK by me. But more than one would be pushing it.

I agree its a concern especially with only 13-14 home games to host.

I guess looking at it from the clubs point of view, if they can't get a decent crowd to the ring of fire, they have to look elsewhere to boost ticket sales.
I also think this may be a bit of Tony P being crafty, if it sells another thousand or so tickets to the chch game then that's great and its not like he's committed to doing it if a certain number of tickets are sold or anything.

Personally I'd prefer every home game to be at the ring of fire and I'd love them to all be Friday or Saturday night, but you can't get everything you want!

Fitz

I wouldn't want more than 1 game away but I don't think we can be too selfish.
Other professional teams play at different venues and that works out.

It also will give the Nix more support and also gives some of our passionate southern supporters a chance. If Chch front up enough and put a solid crowd then why not??

I think all the games should be played in christchurch.

maybe 1 in wgtn if the crowds look ok playing in the ROF at preseason matches ...

... oh wait what ROF Preseason matches?

I think 1 game in Christchurch is reasonable, maybe with free entry to season-ticket holders who decide to travel down for it.  Despite being the Wellington Phoenix, the nix is a club who needs as much support as possible so as someone said earlier, it's not a good idea at all to get too selfish.

1 game is ok. Anymore than that makes a bit of a mockery of the situation. 

1 game at the most the warriors never play home games at other New Zealand venues as far as i know when they did it was an aussie teams home game at a New Zealand venue.

I'm guessing it's more a marketing thing to get as many people as possible along to the one match this year...

WELLINGTON IS HOME FOR THE PHOENIX !!!!!!!!!!

the only reason we are playing in CHCH this year is because the cake tin is unavailable.

i say "Christchurch can get f****d"

Them's fightin' words there Whooooooo!!

The Wellington Phoenix at home in the Ring Of Fire is great for us Wellingtonians but I'm up for spreading the WP Love around. The more support the better in my books. RedGed2009-07-04 17:30:20

If people from other parts of New Zealand want to see the Phoenix once or twice a season, they can easily travel to Wellington where Wellington Phoenix are based.

True enough, Steve-O  and my guess is, a few more of those people who get a first chance to see the Phoenix in PN and Chch this season will make the extra effort to see them here with us too.

Here's a quote from Tony P's 'In the Nix' email on 9 June:

"FIRST and foremost, let me assure you all that it was not the club�s decision or desire to take games away from Wellington. We are steadfast in our belief that the club is a Wellington club and we understand that the vast majority of our support resides in the greater Wellington region.However, stadium unavailability is, quite simply, the only factor that has forced the club to take games to Palmerston North and Christchurch. The scheduling of both these games is the result of circumstances entirely outside the club�s control."

Given the poor renewals though, I can understand a change of heart.

If they can get the supprt CH CH should get thier own franchise, but they need to stop borrowing ours!

Maybe the club will be forced into it if Welli fans like yourself dont pull finger and get season tickets and stop claiming a chicken and egg syndrome

I agree with Feverish there, I would not be surprised at all if part of the reasoning behind looking at CHCH as a regular venue is because people aren't renewing their season tickets and they are looking for a money-spinner in years to come if crowds continue to dwindle.

EDIT: The club obviously does get your money in the end Steve-O, but they would want the certainty of 4,000 fans a game before you even think about people who buy on the day.
Critical_Lemon2009-07-04 18:58:14

No, they wouldn't go every other week, but most of the people that came along every week in 07/08 didn't last season, and if that continues 20,000 over two games in CHCH makes up a bit for low Wellington crowds.

I think that big crowds or not they are looking seriously at CHCH for seasons to come, but to make sure the number of those games is limited or the idea scrapped altogether is to really up the ante when it comes to getting mates and family along.

I was involved in a rock music programme for teenagers and there was a rule about bringing 10 people to each gig. If everyone in yellow fever brought two people along every to game who wouldn't normally go, we wouldn't have to worry about them playing regular season games elsewhere in NZ.

Maybe Terry and some investors from the south are testing the waters for a new Chch franchise?
Real unlikely but imagine the home NZ rivalry!!

Do you seriously think this is actually a valid point?

I'm taking the kids to the Phoenix tomorrow

we ant games down here
my kids are fired up make no mistake about this homeslice


bring in the Jan game
I wish it was more

Go the Phoenix

Seeing as I may very well be moving to Dunedin next year, I vote for matches at Carisbrook...

In all seriousness - it's a Wellington club, end of. Attracting other markets such as Christchurch is important, however the absolutely most important market is Wellington. The club has to put this city first, anything else is taking away from Wellington.

However, I wouldn't mind possibly seeing a compromise every two years. Using a 27-game league, we have 13 home games one season, 14 the next. I'd suggest having one of the 14, but never one of the 13, hosted outside Welly. Thus:

- There is no change in the number of matches played at the RoF, and thus no automatic change in ticket price. Could be useful in retaining/attracting members
- Allows matches to be played in Chch etc, without impacting Welly too much.
- Also makes the "home away game" a bit more special than an annual fixture. FEVER ROAD TRIP!

It's pretty much what the Hurricanes do - six games in Welly every year, with every second year the extra seventh game being played in Palmy, Napier or the Naki.

I'd continue to play preseason games around the country - though I'd like to see more variation. Christchurch getting a preseason game every year is great, I fully support that policy (esp if I do move down south!) but Hamilton, Tauranga, Napier etc have been ignored.

Another option could be to "pull a Warriors" and have an Australian team reschedule a game here. If Christchurch is a huge success, then maybe (say) Mariners might consider moving one of their home games against us the next season to Lancaster/QEII to earn a bit more coin through increased attendance than they may in Gosford. I dunno if this would be a practical, but it worked well enough for the Bulldogs, Tigers and Eels, so maybe?

The away home game idea for the oz franchise has some merit Robb. The only problem with this that comes to mind is,the allegiances with NRL clubs were built up over years, with many Kiwis living over there. There would probably not be as many supporters for other A-league teams here and they may find a stronger hostile crowd away...great for us!
BUT...Just imagine a smart franchise....having a "home game" in Auckland against the Wellington Phoenix.
Would the intercity rivalry mean most of Auckland supporting them and not the Phoenix? That would be interesting! Road Trip for sure.

Robb is a genius.

I love you baby.

dont do it!aint this WELLINGTON phoenix?< id="gwProxy" =""><!--Session -->< ="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" ="">

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