Why no entry charge for the Aegon Trophy & Aegon Challenge?

A131 · Intermediate Club Player

Why no entry charge for the Aegon Trophy & Aegon Challenge?

paulisi · Tennis legend

Futures and challengers in the UK tend to have little spectator attraction and I'm guessing the admin costs with printing and selling tickets is not financially viable. They may charge for the final.

steven · Tennis legend

I often wonder if by charging a nominal amount, they would attract more spectators - letting people in free always looks a bit desperate, like it's not actually worth seeing.

I realise that the main problem in the UK is that casual tennis fans are too spoilt (at least in the grasscourt season), but in areas of the country with no ATPs or even at other times of year, I'm sure they could make more of the second tier events - after all, they manage to charge a bit and get decent crowds for quite a few Challengers in the US, Canada, France and Germany (all of which have main tour events too), so why not here?

paulisi · Tennis legend

I suspect you will be lucky to get 100-150 people per day.

You probably need to have to pay 2 people on the gate, which will cost you £100+ and also the costs of printing tickets. You probably need to charge £3 to break even(VAT will be included in price) and the small profit if any would not be worth the hassle.

Could be worth getting a club member on the gate asking for donations - this would reduce the costs and avoid VAT.

Sim · County player

I can understand for the early rounds, but for the finals on the weekend surely could charge. I am thinking about going on the last Saturday but would rather pay a small amount and know I have a ticket rather than driving for an hour plus and hoping that not suddenly popular if a Brit gets through. Weekend tickets for Edgebaston were sold out weeks ago but all other days were still availble when I last looked.

philwrig · Hall of fame

The limited car parking facilities are just about maxed out at times, and the venue is filled with just about the right amount of people, perfect for me. Will be interesting what happens next year when it will be WTA/ATP.

Way more than 100/150 I'd say, say nearer 500 at times.

A131 · Intermediate Club Player

Sim wrote:
I can understand for the early rounds, but for the finals on the weekend surely could charge. I am thinking about going on the last Saturday but would rather pay a small amount and know I have a ticket rather than driving for an hour plus and hoping that not suddenly popular if a Brit gets through. Weekend tickets for Edgebaston were sold out weeks ago but all other days were still availble when I last looked.

I would agree with that Sim and like Stephen says it almost gives the impression that it is not worth watching which to mere hackers like me would be far from the case. I believe they don't charge for Wimbledon qualifying either but as Leon Smith said at the French Open, qualifying can be tough and is still a very high standard. So I wouldn't be opposed to say being charged a nominal amount (say £5) particularly for FQR's and latter rounds such as semi's, finals as you state.

I usually try and get to Edgbaston every year and was given ample opportunity to do purchase tickets for the weekend (semi's and finals) but in the end decided not to (mainly because I've been fortunate enough to obtain Wimbledon tickets and can't really afford to go to both) - but I'm glad they have as it all helps to sustain the viability/long term future of the event and hopefully my situation will be different next year.

paulisi · Tennis legend

philwrig wrote:
The limited car parking facilities are just about maxed out at times, and the venue is filled with just about the right amount of people, perfect for me. Will be interesting what happens next year when it will be WTA/ATP.

Way more than 100/150 I'd say, say nearer 500 at times.

I went main moons ago when Rusedski, Wilkinson and Delgado were playing on day 1. It was a great day, but there weren't too many there(200-300). Mind you there weren't too many paying spectators on the opening day at Edgbaston last year....

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Excuse my ignorance - and laziness, but are these two events the men's and women's at Birmingham?

paulisi · Tennis legend

It's the two consecutive weeks of challengers at Nottingham.

-- Edited by paulisi on Friday 30th of May 2014 08:57:13 PM

Helen40 · Grand Slam Champion

Thanks paulsi. Shame, if they were closer I'd go.