Arsenal Women’s Successful Relocation: Emirates Stadium as their New Home

Arsenal Women’s Successful Relocation: Emirates Stadium as their New Home

Arsenal Women’s team has found great success in relocating to the Emirates Stadium for their matches in the Women’s Super League (WSL). This weekend, they will be hosting their neighbors Tottenham in a highly anticipated match, and the Gunners are close to selling out the stadium. As of Friday morning, there were only 166 unsold tickets remaining.

During the 2023-24 campaign, Arsenal will be hosting six of their 11 home league matches at the Emirates Stadium, while the rest will be played at the 4,500 capacity Meadow Park. The decision to move to the Emirates Stadium has proven to be a wise one, as they have already broken the WSL attendance record with a crowd of 60,160 for their victory against Manchester United. In fact, each of the league’s four highest attendances have occurred at the stadium.

In December, a record-breaking 59,042 fans watched Arsenal defeat Chelsea 4-1, surpassing the previous record of 54,115 set during their opening home game against Liverpool. This season, Arsenal has also hosted Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium and will face Leicester in April. Their average league attendance so far this season has been an impressive 31,428.

The trend of playing matches at clubs’ main stadiums has become increasingly popular in the WSL since the 2019 World Cup. However, it is Arsenal who have found the most success in this regard. They sold out 12,000 ‘home advantage packs’, which are season tickets specifically for games at the Emirates Stadium. The club’s tiered pricing structure, which incentivizes early purchases, has also played a significant role in generating impressive ticket sales.

Former England striker Ellen White praised Arsenal’s ticketing model, calling it one of the best in the UK and possibly even across the world. While other clubs like Barcelona have sold out their stadiums on occasion, Arsenal’s model has proven to be consistent and effective.

The relocation to the Emirates Stadium has not only boosted attendance numbers but has also created a sense of community among fans. Arsenal midfielder Kim Little spoke about the positive atmosphere around games at the stadium, noting that there is now a “real community feel.” Fans can be seen wearing Arsenal scarves in local pubs after matches, creating a memorable experience for both players and supporters.

Gunners manager Jonas Eidevall believes that the community bond makes Arsenal “special.” He emphasized the club’s commitment to accelerating the growth of women’s football, which influences every decision they make. Eidevall believes that the connection to the fans and the sense of belonging in the community are invaluable assets that set Arsenal apart.

While headline attendances are impressive, what sets Arsenal apart is their consistency in drawing large crowds on a regular basis. Eidevall emphasizes the importance of sustainability and creating a culture at the Emirates Stadium week in and week out. Arsenal’s usual home, Meadow Park, has a capacity of 4,500 and is shared with National League men’s side Boreham Wood. However, if the Gunners were to make Emirates Stadium their permanent home, they need to demonstrate that there is a desire among fans to continue attending matches.

Kim Little echoed this sentiment, stating that selling out all the tickets and attracting a large number of fans is crucial for the game to continue growing. She believes that Arsenal has shown this year that it is possible to draw significant crowds and provide entertaining matches. Recognizing what it takes to bring in large numbers of spectators is key to the long-term success of women’s football.

In conclusion, Arsenal Women have found incredible success in relocating to the Emirates Stadium. The decision has resulted in record-breaking attendances and a strong sense of community among fans. With their tiered pricing structure and incentive-based ticketing model, Arsenal has set an example for other clubs in the WSL. The Gunners’ commitment to sustainability and consistency in drawing large crowds demonstrates their dedication to the growth of women’s football. As they continue to play at the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal aims to create a culture and a sense of belonging that will keep fans coming back for more.