The first thing that struck me is a doubt about our stadium not being big enough, capacity-wise, yet....

and Salford Council

Did you have a quarter of a million on a nearby hill, too?

Should be a virtual home game for Warrington as it's just a trip up the A57 for them .
Also Warrington will have played at the ground 2 weeks before , it will Hudds 1st Visit to the Salford City ground.

Langtree Park has been given an England - Exiles game.
as for attendances ,
Last years Semi's
Cas - Leeds @ Keepmoat Donny 13,158
Wigan - Saints @ was at HJ with a 12,713 capacity crowd , with the place buzzing .

RFL/BBC obviously have been actuely aware of the dramatic fall in CC crowds and want a capacity of near capacity attendance to project the event positively .

BBC will have a New TV studio & the 800 capacity hospitality suite and boxes will do good business also.

must admit with a fair scattering of ex Salford Players in the teams, it looks a good game to the Neutral.

Just could not bring myself to pay money to watch Warrington play anyone else other than Salford.
I think I would rather stick pins in my eyes

Too bad I wasn't offering a bet then. Last year Wigan v Saints at Warrington had tickets available on the day. Our two greatest clubs unable to fill a 12k ground in advance. Two decades ago the same semi final was held at Old Trafford. Wire v Hudds may sell out and I hope it does but it's a hardly cause for celebration. There should be 20k+ plus at that semi and 30k+ at Wigan v Leeds. The curent dire straits of the cup is not a sad indictment of the cup but a sad indictment of modern day RL fans.

I expect widespread moaning from opposition fans about the parking nightmares and general awful facilities on offer in the ground after the semi. At least we'll now get our full safety certification.