11/05/24
May 06, 2004
Ask SpoFi: With the Nationwide football playoffs coming up soon - how does one get tickets? It took incredible google-fu just to find out the fricken dates of these playoffs and I have not found a single shred of info that suggests tickets are on sale for any of the matches.
posted by gspm to navel gazing at 04:08 PM - 13 comments
Preeep! **waves yellow card at gspm for saying "fricken"** Ha. I've been waiting to do that ever since you pulled it out during the garfield interview. Classic, gspm. Classic.
posted by worldcup2002 at 05:53 PM on May 06, 2004
*rolls eyes, makes overly dramatic shoulder shrugging plea to garfield, blames it on google, sulks off* Not Euro, the Nationwide Div 1, 2, 3 playoffs in Cardiff. Not asking because I want to go but my brother will be around the UK for a month and it is maybe something to take in. I can't imagine that they'd fill the Millenium stadium to capacity for Div 3 playoffs (and maybe the other two playoffs too) so there must be some tickets to these games somewhere but the FA and Nationwide websites aren't much help and Sunderland is in the div 1 playoff but their site gave no clues and searching for division + one + playoff + cardiff + tickets was surprisingly unhelpful.
posted by gspm at 01:22 AM on May 07, 2004
oh sorry, WC2k2, i thought garfield was getting me back. the overly dramatic shoulder shrugging plea should be directed to you.
posted by gspm at 01:24 AM on May 07, 2004
I don't know if many "neutral" tickets are sold for the Playoff Finals. Certainly, getting a ticket for the 3rd or 2nd division finals should not be a problem. What I would do is to wait until the finals are decided, and decide which bunch of fans you want to sit with. Then just apply to the club direct. Unfortunately, even now, hardly any clubs take email bookings, so it's going to have to be phone or post. The 1st division final is more problematic. I would imagine only Wigan would struggle to sell their allocation, and they are highly unlikely to even be there.
posted by salmacis at 02:23 AM on May 07, 2004
thanks. that puts things in perspective. couldn't find that sunderland page. I presume the dates on the Sunderland page are representative of when the semifinals will be played at all three levels which means that nothing is decided until ca. the 18th at which point any plan of action can be initiated. Thanks, Ask SpoFi! *winks to the tv audience, gives thumbs up*
posted by gspm at 02:30 AM on May 07, 2004
Too late again but....having gone to the First Division play-off final myself the year before last I can confirm you may struggle to get tickets. Convince your brother to go to one of the others though. It's worth it for the stadium alone.
posted by squealy at 04:20 AM on May 07, 2004
(not too late) Further info of relevance - any tips on going to Cardiff for an event like this? stay in town/nearby/daytrippable? does Cardiff have an interesting nightlife for the post-collegiate type?
posted by gspm at 06:56 AM on May 07, 2004
Cardiff should have plenty to do, both before and after the match, as long as you're not wearing a Millwall shirt.
posted by salmacis at 10:40 AM on May 07, 2004
Well gspm I'll tell you what I can remember, but it's all a bit blurred for obvious reasons. I travelled on a official club coach there and back so can't speak for the nightlife or accomodation. However, due to the fact that traffic congestion was predicted the coaches set off early and arrived, comically enough, at 10.30am for a late afternoon kick off. That left plenty of time to have a few beers in Cardiff. Pubs are plentiful and, from my experience anyway, very friendly. The ground is slap bang in the city centre and surrounded by drinking venues and places to eat. The stadium itself is magnificent, absolutely fucking stunning view, and with the roof on the atmosphere had to be heard to be believed. From memory of discussions on various message boards I think a lot of people stayed in local seaside resorts and travelled up by train on the day. Both kWaCkY and FB were there that day so perhaps they may have some clearer memories of Cardiff. I just remember I had a bloody fantastic day.
posted by squealy at 12:11 PM on May 07, 2004
I stayed with friends in Cardiff. Cardiff offers plenty to do. You can mix with the riff raff or enjoy a civil drink. The main street is full of bars and clubs. You can go to Cardiff Bay for a quieter time. Pubs and clubs are open until late and are usually friendly enough. Lots of hotels and guest houses so you should be alright if you book now. Squealy is spot on about the stadium. It's what Wembley should have been. Chuffin FA.
posted by kWaCkY at 02:06 PM on May 07, 2004
I know Cardiff very well it being my nearest large town and having lived in the place for 10 years, there is plenty of stuff to do there and nearby, a good place for a weekend. As far as tickets go you should have no problem for either div 2 or 3 games. Something to bear in mind is that the FA, when they negotiated to use the Millenium Stadium, insisted that the Welsh FA ensure all tickets are sold, which they have been unable to do so far for the minor games. What this means is that there are often free tickets to be had, as the Welsh FA have to pay the FA for any empty seats.
posted by Fat Buddha at 03:24 PM on May 07, 2004
For Euro2004? My friends and I are crossing the Atlantic and we had to enter a pool over a year ago. I think each country was designated a certain amount, so it was easier here in the USA. We got tickets to 2 quarterfinal matches and one semifinal, spread amongst Porto and Lisbon. Our plan is simple, as nations lose and fans go home, tickets will be sold on the streets.