So who believes the the NRL & the MCG are guessing accurately tonight for Origin I?
Will they reach the projected 80,000?
I'm personally expecting lower than 70,000 there is just a few factors that don't seem to suggest that number for me.
- Even in a smaller than normal MCC section that has now offered free guest passes for people to bring along friends they aren't offering 'seat tickets' for people on Level #1. For those that are unfamiliar with the MCC-- most of the seating is always 'First come, first served' as tradition with the members association. However on large events they give 'seat tickets' so that people can reserve their seats once they arrive at the ground. This allows people to turn up when the doors open at 5pm, get two seats and then go to the bars inside for a few hours. Normally they only do it for the best seats on the middle two levels (which is what they are doing it for SOO), however for large events like the Queens Birthday game on Monday, Anzac Day, Finals, etc. they provide 'seat tickets' on level #1 as well due to expected demand in the MCC. This means they mustn't be expecting the MCC section to fill up heaps.
- Despite there 'limited seats' available for general sale, when you look at the 'Blues' or the 'Maroons' sections (checked just now) there are still plenty of seats available at the cheaper price points that are offering seats in the 'middle' areas of Level 1. As about 75% of all Level 1 seats are allocated to these 'groups' I think there are more available seats left than it appears. (was just able to 'get' 8 seats together in M10 (Silver tickets) testing ticketed now.
- On the 'Blues' side of that the Platinum seats have been marked down from $290 to $200 and are still available in large groups in M20 (between the 40 & the 50 metre line)
I would love for it to be a big crowd tonight (so I can experience another big game atmosphere like 2015 and the past two Grand Finals), but I'm just worried that it won't happen.
