In the heart of Blackpool's Bloomfield Road Stadium lies a hotel room that defies expectations. The "Superior Room with Pitch View" promises an unobstructed view of the action on the pitch. However, for those unfortunate enough to be staying in this particular accommodation during a Blackpool matchday, the reality is far from ideal.
Guests booking these rooms are essentially being asked to surrender their right to watch the game freely, as long as they maintain a blackout curtain over the room's glass wall facing the stadium. This obscure regulation – part of EFL rules and regulations - comes with a steep price tag: a £2,500 fine for anyone caught breaking it.
Michael Butler, a Guardian journalist who recently stayed in this hotel, found himself in a peculiar predicament. With the lights drawn over the room's panoramic window, he was forced to rely on radio updates from the stadium and listen to local commentary on TV, feeling like an outsider watching the game from afar.
Butler's experience raises questions about why such an absurd rule exists in the first place. The main culprit behind this seemingly draconian law is alcohol consumption within view of the pitch, a ban that dates back to the 1980s when hooliganism was rampant in English football. While some see it as an overcautious measure, others argue that it's disproportionate and doesn't account for matches deemed low risk.
The bigger problem, however, lies in Blackpool's unwillingness to find a compromise or alternative solution. Unlike other hotels within the stadium's grounds, such as those at Bolton Wanderers, where matchday packages are available and stewards monitor guests, Blackpool has thrown out the baby with the bathwater.
As Butler notes, reforming this outdated legislation is long overdue. The EFL has shown willingness to discuss potential changes, but until a new law is put in place, fans will continue to face this bizarre restriction on their ability to watch and enjoy live football.
Guests booking these rooms are essentially being asked to surrender their right to watch the game freely, as long as they maintain a blackout curtain over the room's glass wall facing the stadium. This obscure regulation – part of EFL rules and regulations - comes with a steep price tag: a £2,500 fine for anyone caught breaking it.
Michael Butler, a Guardian journalist who recently stayed in this hotel, found himself in a peculiar predicament. With the lights drawn over the room's panoramic window, he was forced to rely on radio updates from the stadium and listen to local commentary on TV, feeling like an outsider watching the game from afar.
Butler's experience raises questions about why such an absurd rule exists in the first place. The main culprit behind this seemingly draconian law is alcohol consumption within view of the pitch, a ban that dates back to the 1980s when hooliganism was rampant in English football. While some see it as an overcautious measure, others argue that it's disproportionate and doesn't account for matches deemed low risk.
The bigger problem, however, lies in Blackpool's unwillingness to find a compromise or alternative solution. Unlike other hotels within the stadium's grounds, such as those at Bolton Wanderers, where matchday packages are available and stewards monitor guests, Blackpool has thrown out the baby with the bathwater.
As Butler notes, reforming this outdated legislation is long overdue. The EFL has shown willingness to discuss potential changes, but until a new law is put in place, fans will continue to face this bizarre restriction on their ability to watch and enjoy live football.
I dont get why the hotel cant just allow the guests to watch the game normally like every other fan at the stadium? £2,500 fine for not following the rules is way too harsh 
The EFL should really look into this and come up with a better solution... maybe some kind of compromise between the fans and the hotel 
. But do they have to make fans pay the price for it? It's like they're being punished for wanting to enjoy their own game 
. I guess the EFL is trying to keep everyone safe, but come on, there's got to be a way to balance that with fan enjoyment 
. Maybe some kind of compromise or alternative solution? 
. A £2,500 fine for not wanting to block out the view of the pitch? Come on! It's like they're trying to suck the fun out of watching a match. And can't they just have some designated areas where people can watch without distractions? I'd love to stay in that hotel room and watch the game with my mates, but noooo... we'd be forced to listen to commentary on TV instead 
. It's so unfair for fans who just want to enjoy the match. Can't they find a better solution than this outdated rule? 
and I feel 4 Michael Butler who had to listen 2 radio updates instead of being able 2 watch the match live 
I think its time 4 Blackpool 2 revisit this rule & find a better solution 4 fans like us 
this rule is so outdated and absurd, it's clear that blackpool needs to rethink its approach to matchday hospitality. maybe instead of fining people, they could offer special packages with blackout curtains or something... that way everyone can enjoy the game in peace! 
£2k fine for watching the game from ur own room? That's insane! I mean i get it the old hooliganism days were a thing but come on 2025 we're way past that now. I'd be like "peace out" and find another place to watch match with friends 
... £2,500 for watching the game from your own hotel room? That's just ridiculous! 
It's like they're trying to make fans feel guilty for enjoying a matchday experience. I get that alcohol consumption can be a problem, but banning it entirely and fining people for even looking out their window is not the answer 
. And what about those who are staying in hotel rooms without a pitch view? Are they also subject to this rule? It's just too much red tape 
. Can't the EFL find a way to balance safety with fan experience? Maybe there should be designated areas for drinking or something... but no, instead we get this absurd blackout curtain rule 
. Time to rethink this outdated law and let fans enjoy the game in peace 
But seriously, shouldn't they just work out a compromise or find another way to keep things under control? It feels like Blackpool is being super restrictive for no reason 
hotel rooms are supposed to be a nice luxury, not some kinda punishment 
. And what's the point of even having a "pitch view" room if you can't enjoy the game properly? Its just so unfair and over the top 
. The EFL should be ashamed of themselves for not finding a compromise or alternative solution 
. I mean I get that they want to minimize alcohol consumption, but this is just ridiculous 
I mean, who pays £2,500 for a room that basically asks you to give up the best part of watching a match? 
. Like, what if you just want to chill in your room with a cuppa while watching the game? You can't even have a proper matchday vibe when there are curtains all over the window 
. Maybe they should try finding a middle ground instead of being so uptight about it 
.
. Why can't they just offer matchday packages like other hotels do? It would make more sense and give fans a better experience 
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. Until then, fans will be stuck watching their favorite team from afar, missing out on the energy and excitement of live football 
. Come on Blackpool, get with the times! 
#FootballFrenzy #BlackpoolFC #MatchdayPackage #EFLReform
It's like they're asking us to pay top dollar just to watch our team get trounced on TV.