A Financial Choice”: Thousands of Empty Seats at FA Cup Semi-Final Reflect Growing Concerns Over Cost and Convenience for Travelling Supporters

The semi-final match between Manchester City and Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium on Sunday drew a significant crowd, but with thousands of empty seats, it was clear that the attendance was not as high as expected.

According to the ticket-sales breakdown, Manchester City sold only 27,000 of their 36,230 allocation, while the other semi-finalists, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa, sold approximately 36,000, 35,500, and 34,000 tickets respectively.

Kevin Parker, general secretary of Manchester City’s official supporters’ club, attributed the low attendance to the high cost of tickets, ranging from £30 to £150, as well as the expense of travel, food, and drink for fans. “It is an expensive day out and when you have done it 25 or 30 times, there are decisions you have to take in terms of the cost,” Parker said.

The long journey to Wembley, which is over 400 miles round trip for fans from Manchester, also contributed to the low attendance. Nick Clarke, a founder of the MCFC Fans Foodbank Support, said that he was “out of pocket” for the outing, having booked a 16-seater minibus for £850, which was only taken up by 12 people.

Some City fans are planning further protests during the Premier League game against Wolves at Etihad Stadium on Friday over what they say is the club’s refusal to increase the number of season-ticket holders. However, Parker emphasized that the non-sale of tickets for the semi-final was “not a fan protest” and that the empty seats had “nothing to do with that”.

The issue of Wembley fatigue has been a long-standing concern for Manchester City fans, who have been traveling to the stadium for semi-finals and finals for several years. The club’s boss, Pep Guardiola, has expressed understanding for the fans’ plight, saying that “one day maybe the FA Cup will be played here in the north”.

While Wembley is the home of the semi-finals and can accommodate the greatest number of fans for the clubs competing in the last four, some fans are calling for a change of venue for future semi-finals.

However, sources say that organizing a neutral ground in the north would be difficult to arrange due to the busy schedules of Premier League clubs in April.

For now, Manchester City fans will have to continue to make the long and expensive journey to Wembley, but the issue of Wembley fatigue remains a pressing concern for the club and its supporters.