Anger in wake of World Cup fan zone price hike
FOOTBALL fans have reacted with anger after ticket prices to watch World Cup games at Times Square in Newcastle were increased.
Live From Times Square is hosting a giant outdoor fan zone with a beer garden at the city centre site with all the games shown on a giant screen.
The zone has proved popular, with scores of passionate England supporters flooding the area for all the team’s matches.
But now, as England prepare to take on Croatia in the semi-final tomorrow, many have vented their anger after ticket prices were hiked.
Group stage games were priced at £5 for a standing ticket, plus a booking fee, and included a drink.
But general admission to watch Wednesday’s game was priced at £22 online, including booking fee. Despite the cost, the tickets have sold out.
The only tickets remaining are for group admission, which includes a guaranteed table for six people and six free alcoholic drink tokens. These are priced at £264, including a booking fee, which works out at £44 per person.
And the final, due to take place on July 15, is costing £27.50, again including booking fee.
Organiser SSD Concerts said it was always its intention to place a “competitive charge” for the semi-final and final, but some fans said it was a “ripoff”, and “disgusting”, and one man called it “outrageous profiteering”.
On Twitter, a football fan wrote: “#TimesSquare #Newcastle rip-off. Then have the cheek to stick other £5.50 on the ticket price for the final #worldcup. @livefromtimessq how can you justify these prices?”
An NUFC supporter said: “Football the people’s game. Or, if England get to a World Cup semi-final it presents an opportunity for some little t **** to make a killing. Con artists.”
And another comment read: “Disgusting these prices for Times Square in Newcastle.”
Steve Davis, owner of SSD Concerts, hit back at the criticism saying they have created a “premium World Cup viewing space with a state-of-the-art screen and PA system”.
He said: “While we have welcomed 35,000 people through our gates for nominal fees so far, it was always our intention to place a competitive charge – regardless of whether England got there or not – for the semi-final and for the final itself.
“The fact that over 125,000 have applied for tickets for our fan zone semi-final screening, which sold out in less than three minutes, tells us that our pricing is fair.”
Mr Davis added: “We’re looking forward to another sell-out on Wednesday and another England victory.”
FURY OVER COST OF WATCHING ON BIG SCREEN