Blackpool's Stadium Hotel: A Bitter Pill to Swallow for Football Fans
The grandeur of the Bloomfield Road Stadium's panoramic windows seems an insult when you're trapped inside with nothing but darkness - and no view of the pitch. The 'Superior Room with Pitch View' boasts a luxurious promise, one that turns out to be little more than a cruel joke.
According to EFL rules, anyone in view of the pitch must have a ticket. A sensible regulation, except when you're booking a hotel room at the stadium and no matchday tickets are sold alongside the rooms. This oversight is an easy fix, yet it highlights the absurdity that lies behind the blanket ban on alcohol within view of the pitch - the Sporting Events Act 1985.
Those pushing for change argue that this law feels disproportionate, especially in low-risk matches where fans may feel entitled to a more relaxed atmosphere. But until changes are made or Blackpool's hotel finds a way around it, the curtains will remain shut. The irony is not lost on journalist Michael Butler, who endured the first half of a match without so much as a glimpse of the action on the pitch.
The solution to this quirk lies in reforming the existing legislation around football and its links to hooliganism. There have been calls for trial periods or pilot schemes that would lift the blanket ban. The EFL seems receptive, but ultimately, it's up to the government to decide whether change is needed. For now, fans like Butler are left with a hotel room that's more suited to a darkened study than a sports stadium.
The price of failure in this case might be as high as £2,500 for those who don't draw their curtains during matches - a harsh penalty for an oversight that's hard not to notice.
The grandeur of the Bloomfield Road Stadium's panoramic windows seems an insult when you're trapped inside with nothing but darkness - and no view of the pitch. The 'Superior Room with Pitch View' boasts a luxurious promise, one that turns out to be little more than a cruel joke.
According to EFL rules, anyone in view of the pitch must have a ticket. A sensible regulation, except when you're booking a hotel room at the stadium and no matchday tickets are sold alongside the rooms. This oversight is an easy fix, yet it highlights the absurdity that lies behind the blanket ban on alcohol within view of the pitch - the Sporting Events Act 1985.
Those pushing for change argue that this law feels disproportionate, especially in low-risk matches where fans may feel entitled to a more relaxed atmosphere. But until changes are made or Blackpool's hotel finds a way around it, the curtains will remain shut. The irony is not lost on journalist Michael Butler, who endured the first half of a match without so much as a glimpse of the action on the pitch.
The solution to this quirk lies in reforming the existing legislation around football and its links to hooliganism. There have been calls for trial periods or pilot schemes that would lift the blanket ban. The EFL seems receptive, but ultimately, it's up to the government to decide whether change is needed. For now, fans like Butler are left with a hotel room that's more suited to a darkened study than a sports stadium.
The price of failure in this case might be as high as £2,500 for those who don't draw their curtains during matches - a harsh penalty for an oversight that's hard not to notice.
They must be so frustrated and disappointed with the lack of pitch view in their rooms... it's like they're missing out on the whole experience! And £2,500 is just too steep for an oversight that could've been easily fixed. I mean, come on, can't we just have a more relaxed atmosphere at matches? 
It's not like people are gonna get violent or anything... 
the whole "superior room with pitch view" thing is literally the worst lol what kind of hotel does that?! and £2,500???! thats insane!!! 
i think it's about time they fix this law tho, especially for low-risk matches where fans can just chill. maybe some trial periods or pilot schemes would work? let's get the government on board for a change 
. I get why the government wants to crack down on hooliganism, but this blanket ban is just ridiculous 
Can you even imagine being stuck in that hotel room with no view of the pitch and no booze? Sounds like a nightmare scenario 
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. I'd love to see them offer some sort of discount or compromise for fans who want to enjoy a match without getting caught in that darkness.
I'm all for the EFL and gov letting fans have a more relaxed atmosphere at stadiums 
, especially if it doesn't hurt anyone. But, it makes sense why they don't wanna loosen up the booze ban - you never know when things might get outta hand 
. The price of failure is pretty steep though... £2,500 is a lot to shell out just for not having a view of the pitch 
. Maybe we'll see some trial periods or pilot schemes soon? That would be cool 
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. It's just ridiculous that there's this one rule about no alcohol near the pitch, and it's not even fair to fans who just want a chill atmosphere during matches 
. The government needs to step in and make some changes or else people are gonna get fined £2,500 for not having curtains 
. It seems like they're missing the whole point of having a 'pitch view' room 
. I mean, who wants to pay top dollar for a hotel room with no actual view of the game? Not me! 
It's like they're trying to rob fans blind. 
. A trial period or pilot scheme would be a great start 
. Let's give fans the freedom to enjoy their favorite sport in peace and quiet, minus the curtains that are basically just a bummer 
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, because right now, it's just frustrating for fans like me 
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. Who wants to pay top dollar for a room that basically has no view at all? 
Not me, that's for sure! 
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. Maybe trial periods or pilot schemes could work? 
It's not that hard to imagine a situation where fans can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere without feeling like they're breaking some sort of rule 
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. I think some changes need to be made here before people keep coming back with bad experiences 
. I mean, come on, EFL rules clearly state that anyone in view of the pitch needs a ticket, so what's the big deal? It's not rocket science 
! The ban on alcohol within view of the pitch is just ridiculous 
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. And if they don't comply, the price tag is £2,500...ouch! 
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The data suggests a clear demand for change... 85% of fans would be more likely to book at a stadium with views of the pitch. It's time to make some changes and let the fans have their money's worth!