On March 28 (3 p.m.), 1. FC Bocholt will host MSV Duisburg in the Lower Rhine Cup semi-final. Many FCB fans were disappointed during the ticket pre-sale.
MSV Duisburg fans are clearly very excited about the Lower Rhine Cup semi-final at 1. FC Bocholt (Saturday, March 28, 3 p.m.). All 1,100 guest tickets were sold out in no time. Demand was also very high among Bocholt fans. Too high, in fact, as many supporters were left empty-handed after the exclusive advance sales for members and season ticket holders on Monday evening and had to return home without a ticket.
“The Lower Rhine Cup semifinal against MSV Duisburg has triggered a demand for tickets that 1. FC Bocholt has not seen in decades. This shows how great the enthusiasm and support for our team is in the city and the region – we are very grateful for that,” the regional league club explained in a statement released on Tuesday.
At the same time, the club expressed understanding for the frustration of its own fans who were unable to get a ticket: “Our home section was sold out around 30 minutes after the exclusive advance sale for members and season ticket holders opened on Monday evening. We are very sorry that many fans were ultimately unable to purchase a ticket.”
There were around 7,500 ticket requests from Bocholt alone. However, because the stadium capacity is severely limited due to construction work on the north stand, meaning that only 3,276 spectators can be admitted to the stadium as things stand, ticket sales had to be strictly rationed.
The total capacity is divided into 1,100 standing places in the guest area, 376 seats in the main stand, 300 VIP standing places, and around 1,500 standing places in the home area of 1. FC Bocholt.
During advance sales on Monday, 500 public tickets were sold. In addition to the 1,100 guest tickets, the remaining tickets went to the active fan base of the “Schwatten” (500), the youth department, the families of the club’s players and employees (approx. 350), premium sponsors (approx. 150), association officials, representatives of MSV Duisburg, referees, and organizational staff. Around 60 media representatives, as well as children accompanying the players onto the field and their accompanying persons, are also expected. “Due to these circumstances, not only the available standing room tickets but also the seating contingent were sold out early,” the club said.
However, the club admitted that communication in advance had not been clear: “Looking back, we must self-critically acknowledge that our expectation management was insufficient. We should have communicated more clearly that only a very limited number of tickets would be available for advance sale. We apologize to our fans for the disappointment this has caused.”
However, there is still a glimmer of hope for more tickets, as FCB is currently in talks with the city of Bocholt to possibly achieve a slight increase in stadium capacity. However, the regional league club does not want to raise false hopes.