McDonald Jones Stadium will be a full house for Saturday’s A-League grand final between Newcastle Jets and Melbourne Victory – and the city’s business and tourism leaders say it’ll be a shot in the arm for the region’s economy.
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The final allocation of tickets were gone minutes into the general public sale on Monday afternoon, after members snapped up 20,000 spots during Sunday’s pre-sale.
Earlier on Monday, a second pre-sale also sold-out within minutes.
“The demand for the fixture has been overwhelming,” a Football Federation Australia spokesman said.
Toronto-Awaba Stags fans will also be on the edge of their seats for youth product Nick Cowburn, who took to the field in the 2-1 semi-final victory against Melbourne City, albeit in the 90th minute as a replacement for final goalscorer Jason Hoffman.
Although more than 30,000 fans may pack out the stadium, disappointment reigned for many, including Cooranbong’s Joshua Bru.
Bru said he and his three-year-old son Karter had been to almost every home game of the season, but missed out in the Sunday membership pre-sale.
“It’s heartbreaking,” he said. “Not for me, but for my dad who just spends money every year to support a team and spend time with his boys. For him to miss out and feel like he couldn’t get his sons and grandson a ticket when that’s the aim of every season is disappointing and heartbreaking.”
“The first question he asked me was: ‘I have the same seats every year, why do they not just offer me those seats first?’”
The A-League decider will kick-off at McDonald Jones Stadium from 7.50pm on Saturday, May 5.
Isaac McIntyre
Got a story or a tip that you want to send through? Contact me at isaac.mcintyre@fairfaxmedia.com.au
Got a story or a tip that you want to send through? Contact me at isaac.mcintyre@fairfaxmedia.com.au
