ISL 2017: Kerala Blasters' stadium capacity cut down to 41,000
Kerala Blasters fans are famous for their huge turn out in the stadium and their support to the team. The yellow sea was famous not only in India but around the world for their support to their team. An average of 50,000 attended the Kerala Blasters matches at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Kochi.
There are only seven days left to go for the start of ISL 2017 and it is not good news for the fans that are coming for Kochi games. This season, only 41,000 spectators will be allowed into the stadium.
The newly installed chairs are the reason for the reduction in seating capacity this year. For the recently ended FIFA U17 World Cup, the seating capacity was only 29,000 due to security reasons. For ISL, however, the seating capacity has been raised, although it is still below what was expected. Out of 41,000 tickets, only 39,000 will be open for sales. The rest will be given as complimentary tickets.
Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has witnessed crowds of up to 62,000 for ISL matches in last three years. This year, however, the seating capacity was reduced by huge numbers. The installation of new seats in the upper gallery and security reasons are the cause of reduction of the capacity of the stadium to 41,000.
The ticket sales for the home matches of Kerala Blaster was opened yesterday, and within hours, the upper stand tickets were sold out. Even though the stadium is set to be house full for the matches, the atmosphere created by the fans for the home matches will be missed this time.
The Kerala Blasters fans are known to be fiercely loyal to their team, and have made their club famous by flocking to the stadiums on all of their home games. With the reduction of the number of seats, the crunch for tickets is set to increase.