Phoenix fans flock to buy tickets

BY DAVE BURGESS
Last updated 05:00 25/02/2010

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Wellington Phoenix fans have snapped up more than 20,000 tickets to their final home match of the season – with about 14,000 sold yesterday alone.

Phoenix chief executive Tony Pignata predicted the 34,500-seat Westpac Stadium would be full for the March 7 clash against Newcastle Jets.

A full house at the stadium would set a new crowd record for a competitive domestic football match in New Zealand – eclipsing the 24,278 who watched the Phoenix's penalty shootout win against Perth Glory last Sunday.

It would also beat the club's record of 31,853 at the David Beckham exhibition match in December 2007.

"We'll beat Beckham next weekend. What is going on is absolutely amazing. It is the hottest ticket in town and we are still 10 days out from the game. I am confident of selling it out," Mr Pignata said.

"We are making a lot of Aussie clubs stand up and take notice as well. It is quite amazing a Kiwi club is doing that."

Fans are being encouraged to wear yellow to the game in what is being promoted by Positively Wellington Tourism and Wellington Phoenix as a "yell-out for a sell-out".

Queues of up to 30 metres were reported yesterday outside Ticketek outlets and the Phoenix shop on Willeston St, as fans lined up to buy the $50 and $35 adult tickets.

A win over Newcastle would see the Phoenix play away to either Melbourne Victory or Sydney FC in the preliminary final.

Yellow Fever co-founder David Cross said the Fever would be singing like crazy at the stadium to try to spur the Phoenix to victory.

The largest crowd at a football match in New Zealand was the 35,194 who watched the All Whites beat Bahrain last year at the stadium.

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- © Fairfax NZ News

16 comments
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The Watcher   #16   02:52 pm Feb 26 2010

Quote - Tony Pignata "We are making a lot of Aussie clubs stand up and take notice as well. It is quite amazing a Kiwi club is doing that."

Tony Melboure Victory was braking records 3-4 years ago. Don't get cocky now.

Rachel   #15   09:05 am Feb 26 2010

Got my tickets on Monday! Even managed to get hopeless Ticketek to sell me my usual season ticket seats (not like last week - useless! Having to sit in Aisle 24 and getting told off for standing. Rubbish!). Come on Welly - sell out the ROF!

Phoenix 'til I die!

John   #14   06:21 pm Feb 25 2010

This is great to see. As a Wellingtonian in Aussie, I'm quite stoked that wellington has done this well. It always surprised how rugby was soo big in NZ when I'm sure there must be just as many soccer players in all the schools and clubs. Don't get me wrong, Rugby is our national game and love it, but as a sports fan I love that we are getting into the football realm. Why not use our sporting talent to other big international team sports instead of waiting every 4 years to be knocked out of a rugby world cup. Would definitely be there if I was back home, and will be watching for sure. Go Yellow Fever!!!!!!!!!

Flutter   #13   05:08 pm Feb 25 2010

Have you caught the footballitis yet? Is is exciting, infectious and contagious without detrimental health effects.

Wellington Phoenix has become a phenomenon. We now have Bra Troupe as well. For a decent fee, we cam watch decent football in a top notch caketin - ROF!

Will it be a sell out? How about exceed the crowd that turned when NZ beat Bahrain on 14 Nov last year? Don't be disappointed and miss out on a spectacle on 7 March. Be part fo the phenomenon that is far more exciting than the J Key brigade.

YF   #12   04:01 pm Feb 25 2010

To the FAA - ALL WE WANT IS A TEN YEAR GUARANTEE!!

And a win over the Jets - GO NIX

T   #11   03:43 pm Feb 25 2010

Surely you can see that Yellow is used to represent gold, if our guys dressed in gold they would look like Gold member and be an embarassment

PJ   #10   02:34 pm Feb 25 2010

Shame all the money is going to the AFF and none to the Nix...can't believe the clubs don't even get a percentage!

GoldMember   #9   01:31 pm Feb 25 2010

@ash#6 Gold is expensive. Yellow is a lot cheaper.

nba   #8   12:51 pm Feb 25 2010

I wonder if they will have to put in extra seating? Hard to imagine this is for a 'domestic' football match - being an ardent rugby guy - it is really cool and highlights the old - Winners are grinners!

I wonder when Terry Serepisos will get a mention in the sports awards. One could easily draw the line between the rise of the Phoenix and All Whites making the World Cup.

Were would football be without him?

Ben   #7   12:47 pm Feb 25 2010

Already got my tickets! Rock and roll!


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