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Stockholm Gp September 21st


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Just some rumours bit it is said that Stockholm GP will have the second highest attendance after Cardiff.

 

Just came on to ask if you knew how ticket sales were going. Isn't Stockholm one of the most expensive cities in Europe? Is it expensive for Swedes outside of the city too?

 

Even with 20,000 in such a stadium it's not going to look too good on TV. On the other hand a jam packed Malilla would look great. There's a fair chance Tai Woffinden could become world champion at this meeting which might trigger little news snippets on tv and photographs in the press here in the UK and empty seats and spaces never look good for any sport.

 

It's not just speedway where TV broadcasters are keen to create an impression of LOTS of people being in attendance inferring something exciting or worth viewing is going on. NASCAR in the USA is concerned that despite attendances over 100,000 people will be put off watching or going to the sport because of the sight of empty seats in a 150,000 capacity stadium!

 

Don't take my word for it as i posted elsewhere recently a snippet from an article in the US.........

 

With billions of dollars guaranteed for NASCAR TV rights til 2020 and 2024, discussions have now surfaced of removing those empty grandstands at many Sprint Cup venues. On television, those empty seats look Bad - Bad with a capital B.

 

We’ve seen those empty spaces disguised with sponsors banners, and broadcast networks have been very careful about not panning the spaces with their coverage. Don’t you think that those hollow canyons must have a psychological effect on fans in attendance. They must think, “Why did I come to this race?”

Edited by manchesterpaul
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There haven't been any info regarding exact number of tickets sold just that it is expected to be the second highest attendance of the series.

Info Is coming from Morgan Andersson, former team manager for Västervik, Dackarna and Smederna now a expert commentator for C more.

The info is not official in any way though.

 

Sure Stockholm is expensive but "cheaper" then Oslo, Köpenhamn and Helsinki.

 

Also dirt will arrive on Monday according to Björn Oldéen at C more.

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DIRT has been at the stadium under cover for some time... believe around 16,000 tickets sold

We took our kid to a photographer a month ago, she lives in Stockholm but has her studio just south of Tampere. I answered a speedway related phone call during that time, she had to ask what I was talking about. Immediately after hearing the explanation she said there's huge adverts all over Stockholm... They can cross one dot, something has been done right!

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We took our kid to a photographer a month ago, she lives in Stockholm but has her studio just south of Tampere. I answered a speedway related phone call during that time, she had to ask what I was talking about. Immediately after hearing the explanation she said there's huge adverts all over Stockholm... They can cross one dot, something has been done right!

I'm waiting for the big hype now that IMG have taken over the Rallycross European Championships.Actually there was a piece in the papers today.It said something like "The European Rallycross Championships will be held at Buxtehude Estoring next weekend".That was it.Got even less space than the Buxtehude Handball team :rofl:

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I'm waiting for the big hype now that IMG have taken over the Rallycross European Championships.Actually there was a piece in the papers today.It said something like "The European Rallycross Championships will be held at Buxtehude Estoring next weekend".That was it.Got even less space than the Buxtehude Handball team :rofl:

I was a "guest" in a GP earlier this year. Spoke many times with our host from IMG. He was younger than me probably, but damn he was good at what he did. Not gonna say anything about what he/IMG does to you after you are "part of the package" and done your first deal with them (thats for The Know to comment)... But now looking from the side at the HUGE task that the Finnish promoters have in their hands to get through and recognised in the traditional media over here, I can only see benefits that there's such a player as IMG involved. And just as a curiousity, handball and (EDIT) league speedway have about the same average crowd of around 220+ in Finland (but like said in another thread, dont mean hsit when it comes to the GP at Ratina). Rallycross in Finland always get 3000-5000 people. Cant understand why though... Edited by f-s-p
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DIRT has been at the stadium under cover for some time... believe around 16,000 tickets sold

 

Don't get me wrong it is very good indeed that speedway can get to stage an event in a prestigious modern stadium, it's a feather in the cap for the sport indeed. However going on recent attendances in Gothenburg and Stockholm as myself and others mentioned when it was announced a crowd of even 25,000 will look BAD!!!

 

Having said that it's a pleasant surprise indeed that 16,000 tickets have already been sold. I venture that is far higher than many would have thought. Of course it could have been even more as i mention below.

 

We took our kid to a photographer a month ago, she lives in Stockholm but has her studio just south of Tampere. I answered a speedway related phone call during that time, she had to ask what I was talking about. Immediately after hearing the explanation she said there's huge adverts all over Stockholm... They can cross one dot, something has been done right!

 

That is fantastic news although it won't necessarily pay the largest dividends this year or make for a huge crowd for a couple of reasons. The advertising will likely be too out of the blue and sudden for a lot of people to go splashing out on what presumably will not be the cheapest entertainment event at short notice. However, the drip drip effect of seeing the publicity will lodge in people's heads for the next time.

 

I appreciate the enormous costs of staging the GP in the stadium but i reckon the organizers have missed a golden opportunity to attract a truly massive crowd and newcomers to the sport. It's going back to the old argument of which is better a 20,000 crowd at relatively expensive ticket prices or 50,000 at a much lower price. Can you imagine the atmosphere and feel good factor of a full or near full stadium, it would certainly entice many to come back the following year.

 

One presumes the meeting as it stands is going to make a loss (?) so why not build for the future events and get inside those other than speedway die hards. I'm sure there would be many Swedish families who would love to attend anything at such a magnificent arena as a day/evening out. For them to see that there is a truly affordable event and something other than a usual sport they see ad nauseum such as football would be very enticing. Then like i say what an enjoyable experience it would be to be in a very large crowd and the 'spectacle' of speedway.

 

The pricing of major sporting events will always be high and therefore unlikely to attract those who have no previous interest in a sport. So i reckon a ground breaking opportunity missed for speedway not to take an innovative step and heavily cut expected ticket costs to a bargain level - not necessarily unprofitable for the promoters by any means. A head turning affordable price would surely attract the man/woman/family to such a fine stadium to see a sport other than the standard same old, same old ones they are fed daily all their lives.

Edited by manchesterpaul
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UPDATE on the track building at the Friends Arena here ...

 

http://speedwaygp.com/news/article/2866/built-for-speedway

 

Judging by the applications for media accreditation, considerable interest in this event from the Swedes. No doubt due to the venue and the fact it is taking place in their capital city. Hope that gets reflected in the crowd.

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Does anyone know if there are any special trains/buses planned for Saturday.

I know you can take the train to Solna and walk, which is fine, but wondered if there are any other alternatives.

 

Judging by the arena website there will be buses from Solna Station. Not sure what type of buses though.

 

Other public transport option are as following:

 

From Stockholm Central Station:

17.09, Go with commuter train #38 towards Uppsala C, get off at Ulriksdal station, board bus #502 towards Solna Centrum get off at the Arena.

 

From T-centralen

17.20, 17.50, 18.20, Go with subway blue line #11 towards Akalla, get off at Solna Centrum, board bus #505 towards Järvstaden get off at the arena.

 

17.30 Go with subway blue line #11 towards Akalla, get off at Solna Centrum, board bus #502 towards Ulriksdas station, get off at the arena.

 

You can search connections here: http://reseplanerare...442502&OK#focus

 

Just remember that buses do not accept cash or credit card, only pre-paid tickets or pre-paid travel cards.

I think that you might be able to buy tickets at the subway entrances, the tickets you buy there will include the bus.

Both the central station and all the stations mentioned above is Zone A.

 

Also a quick reminder about the open meeting at Gubbängen on Friday:

http://www.speedway-forum.co.uk/forums/index.php?showtopic=67537&st=525#entry2336263

Edited by Ghostwalker
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Just came on to ask if you knew how ticket sales were going. Isn't Stockholm one of the most expensive cities in Europe? Is it expensive for Swedes outside of the city too?

 

Even with 20,000 in such a stadium it's not going to look too good on TV. On the other hand a jam packed Malilla would look great. There's a fair chance Tai Woffinden could become world champion at this meeting which might trigger little news snippets on tv and photographs in the press here in the UK and empty seats and spaces never look good for any sport.

 

It's not just speedway where TV broadcasters are keen to create an impression of LOTS of people being in attendance inferring something exciting or worth viewing is going on. NASCAR in the USA is concerned that despite attendances over 100,000 people will be put off watching or going to the sport because of the sight of empty seats in a 150,000 capacity stadium!

 

Don't take my word for it as i posted elsewhere recently a snippet from an article in the US.........

 

With billions of dollars guaranteed for NASCAR TV rights til 2020 and 2024, discussions have now surfaced of removing those empty grandstands at many Sprint Cup venues. On television, those empty seats look Bad - Bad with a capital B.

 

We’ve seen those empty spaces disguised with sponsors banners, and broadcast networks have been very careful about not panning the spaces with their coverage. Don’t you think that those hollow canyons must have a psychological effect on fans in attendance. They must think, “Why did I come to this race?”

 

US sport is so cheap compared to Europe. I went to see the San Francisco Giants versus the San Diego Padres in a Major League baseball game last summer. A local derby and two top teams (SF won the "World" Series that year). It cost us £8 each to sit in the bleachers.

 

A couple of years before, I went to the NHRA drag racing in Las Vegas. Pinnacle of the sport and it was £18, in addition to which, the lady on the turnstile asked if we had the money off ticket from the local newspaper. We didn't but she instantly pulled one from the pile next to her gave it to me then took it straight back off me - £16.

 

Surprise, surprise, both events had huge attendances.

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US sport is so cheap compared to Europe. I went to see the San Francisco Giants versus the San Diego Padres in a Major League baseball game last summer. A local derby and two top teams (SF won the "World" Series that year). It cost us £8 each to sit in the bleachers.

 

A couple of years before, I went to the NHRA drag racing in Las Vegas. Pinnacle of the sport and it was £18, in addition to which, the lady on the turnstile asked if we had the money off ticket from the local newspaper. We didn't but she instantly pulled one from the pile next to her gave it to me then took it straight back off me - £16.

 

Surprise, surprise, both events had huge attendances.

:lol: :lol: I paid 340 dollars for two seats at the Madison Square Garden to see Rangers vs Red Wings 1,5 years ago. We sat in the corner on row 14 or something like that. So thats cheap US sport for you!
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US sport is so cheap compared to Europe. I went to see the San Francisco Giants versus the San Diego Padres in a Major League baseball game last summer. A local derby and two top teams (SF won the "World" Series that year). It cost us £8 each to sit in the bleachers.

 

A couple of years before, I went to the NHRA drag racing in Las Vegas. Pinnacle of the sport and it was £18, in addition to which, the lady on the turnstile asked if we had the money off ticket from the local newspaper. We didn't but she instantly pulled one from the pile next to her gave it to me then took it straight back off me - £16.

 

Surprise, surprise, both events had huge attendances.

 

Baseball is cheap as theres 4 million games a season, most other sports are not!

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