The Spielvereinigung Bayreuth is not exactly known for having a full stadium at home games. But at least the visitors’ curve will be well filled against RWE.

2109 spectators against VfL Osnabrück and 2712 fans against SC Freiburg II: Spielvereinigung Bayreuth’s home games have been rather poorly attended in the 3rd division so far. For information: Bayreuth’s Hans-Walter-Wild-Stadion seats 10,0001 visitors.

Against Rot-Weiss Essen on Saturday (2 p.m.), Bayreuth expects the record crowd so far. “We are expecting 3,500 fans, including around 1,000 spectators from Essen,” Alina Hacker, press spokeswoman for the third division newcomer, told RevierSport.

Once again, RWE coach Christoph Dabrowski’s team will be able to look forward to atmospheric support away from home. In Duisburg (2:2) and Dortmund (0:1), over 5,000 Essen fans travelled with the team. Now it’s off to Bayreuth, over 500 kilometres away, Essen’s first away trip to a competitive match outside North Rhine-Westphalia in almost 4,000 days.

Those who make up their minds at the last minute can also buy tickets at the box office in Bayreuth without any problems. The small disadvantage: those who use the box office have to accept a surcharge of two euros. “It is not so much a reaction to the spectator numbers of the first two home games as an attempt to counter the excessively high ticket prices in the 3.Liga with a clear signal,” explains SpVgg managing director Dr. Wolfgang Gruber.