2020

West End Stadium: Premium seating demand exceeds expectations

First Financial Club

At a time when no soccer is being played nationwide, FC Cincinnati supporters have made it clear they’re more eager than ever for its return.


Ahead of West End Stadium’s opening next spring, the club announced the second phase of ticket sales for the stadium early last month, which featured premium club seating. 


Considering the launch of premium tickets began during a global pandemic, there was much uncertainty about what the interest may be for what generally are more pricey seating products. 


A few weeks later, Orange and Blue fans made one thing certain: they’re ready for the new stadium.


More than 2,000 accounts have placed deposits for premium seating in the club’s future home. For context, that total, placed in just two-plus weeks, has already exceeded the club’s expectations for the entire month-long campaign.


“I think it says a lot,” said Jeff Smith, FCC’s Sr. VP of Sales and Ticketing. “At Nippert Stadium, we proved a lot with our fan base over the last four seasons and we were certainly proving it again heading into the fifth. But one of the challenges we had at Nippert was we had very limited premium seating assets.”


Premium seats in FCC’s current home have been sold out since the inaugural 2016 season.


With West End Stadium, the club wanted to be able to offer more premium options, both for current premium members and those who hadn’t yet had the chance to purchase that experience yet. 


It didn’t take long to realize how much of a demand there was for premium.


“It’s been a lot of hard work by a lot of people,” Smith said. “With all the different challenges we’ve all faced in 2020, that’s why I think it makes it even more impactful to hear from our fan base and their involvement and engagement with our club for the future. I think 2020 still represents a lot of uncertainty for people, just a lot of angst and challenge. But I think the future represents a lot of hope and excitement for our fans.”


The club is accepting $100 deposits toward premium seating in West End Stadium through June 12. To learn more, visit WestEndStadium.com.