Is it time to do away with neutral venues?

Unlikely as they’ve only just brought them back. I’m happy to do it either way but they need to do a better job with venues. Tough to give too much criticism without knowing which grounds are and are not available though.

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Doncaster is closer to Hull and they are going to bring big support why don't Wigan SUBSIDISE cheap coach travel as a way of saying thank you for all the disruption of the ticket fiasco. Wigan fans last year were put off from going to Leeds last year because we had to endure the rain.

i struggle at times to understand the mentality of some fans, reading comments on forums and social media. IMO its the fairest way for both sets of fans to hold it at a ground somewhere in the middle ground. Admittedly its slightly closer to KR this time (about 20 miles) but IMO its far better than last year

we've sold out Saints, Leigh already this year, and took decent numbers to Cas at weekend (asking for further batches of tickets)

After last year i didnt want the game at Headingley, if they were going to allocate the stands in the same way. It should have been something like North (50:50), East (Wigan), South (KR) and then if either sold excess tickets then the Western terrace

Doncaster looks like a decent stadium to me. Just over 15k capacity, and i dont see any reason why we shouldnt be looking to sell 7-7.5k for a semi final. Apart from the season ticket fiasco, there's a feel good factor about the place at the minute, and we should be looking to get there in numbers and get behind the team, not making excuses for not going (yes, i know not everyone can make it before i get pelters)

true, but its strange and a shame though isnt it. We sold 25k weeks in advance for the WCC, good friday sold out in no-time at all, but no real demand for cup semi final and tickets appear to be priced sensibly. its also the same for home play off games, most of the ST holders where i sat in the East didnt attend those either

It is a shame and it's a problem across the game. I think our fan base has become a bit too used to being in semi finals and finals and most will pick and choose which to attend. The venue isn't perfect but it's not horrendous and has some advantages over Headingley. I think the suggestion that the club attempts to gain some goodwill back regards the ticketing issues by offering up some sort of travel offer is a decent one. That could be a win win, in offering up an apology, while at the same time making sure the team is backed by a healthy following for that big game.

The cup has definitely lost some of its magic, Wembley is now way to big and pretty soulless, that big do-nut ring of empty club Wembley seats is awful, very few neutrals going for the day, probably no trains running it all adds up.
Wigan/HKR v Wire at Tottenham/Arsenal would be a much more attractive fixture, no offence to their fans who do turn up week in week out but the RFL must be praying Hudds don't get through to the final.

i'd go as far as saying i actually hate the new Wembley. We went to the 1st game (Saints v Catalan) and said we would only go back when Wigan go. It lost all of its appeal when they knocked it down and rebuilt it. You couldnt beat the days out with all the neutral fans sat on the grass banks for me

re Hudds, i've seen their allocation for the semi, with the North and 1 block in the East.

I'm all for tradition but tend to agree. I don't feel a great deal of excitement for going to Wembley anymore. It's pretty soulless when there are only 50-60k on. I'd be the complete opposite if they were to move the final to Spurs full time. That stadium blew me away and would be extremely excited to see a big final, like Wigan vs Wire or Wigan vs Saints at that ground. The atmosphere would be immense.

I suppose the RFL are contracted to Wembley long-term?

Yes, I think until 2027 or 2028.

Wembley is a weird one.

I’m a big football fan, as well as a Wigan Rugby fan.
I follow England (football) & attend a lot of games at Wembley.
I’m also lucky to have seen my football club at Wembley. (Lower league club so I’m not a ‘big club’ fan who goes every year & is spoiled by it, mind).
I bloody love Wembley. I love watching England there & I love watching my football club there.


But if I never ever went again with Wigan Rugby I wouldn’t miss it.
Wembley is a stadium which half-full is soulless. But full, is excellent (imo).
RL will never sell it out, again. I don’t believe, anyway.
Domestic cup finals & big England games see it bouncing. When full.
But the CC Final is such a beige event at Wembley.
It’s time to find a new home.

Saying that, moving the final won’t fix the issues with attendances in the earlier rounds.
It’s just a pretty dead entity, isn’t it.