Normally the CCSFs aren't this late on, normally back end of July IIRC. Last year's football Community Shield was on the 10th August (which was a Sunday) so we may be able to get a semi-final double-header in on a Saturday. I think the SPL has been pushed further back as well due to Scotland wanting an international friendly, although I could have heard that wrong!

What other sporting events are happening in late July/early August time?

One game on BBC2, then the next one on BBC1, or vice versa. Would work.

Although that's exactly what they're doing for the fourth round: Catalans v Bradford 2.30, Leeds v Saints 4.30

Like celtic will get to the semis

I think a double header at the CoM stadium would be a cracking idea. I wouldn't go as a neutral to either semi but I would go for a double header like that. especially if they did a season ticket deal like with the magic tickets.

I was wrong, and I'm glad about it. if they are willing to do it then its good news.

Hope the Beeb make a big deal of a ' Massive Sporting Weekend' Grand National Saturday and 2 big CC cup ties on the sunday.


Now there could be some hope for this idea after all, even though its all hypothetical atm, but it would be innovative of the rfl to try it some time.

BBC will be showing their first ever live football league game (new contract starts next season) on the sat or sun

Its only a few years since the uproar when The Semis were played at the Halliwell Jones and The Stobart (or whatever it was called at the time) Yet there was no reported shortfall of tickets and people wanting to attend either game not being able to get there. These stadiums have a combined capacity of less than 30k,

So how could playing the games, even as a double header, A few hundred miles away attract enough fans to make it viable.

CoM Stadium would be a great place to stage both (48k capacity = to 2 Galpharms) But still probably wouldn't be filled. And its unlikely that Man City would want Rugby Played on it that close to the start of the Premier League Season (or will it already have started)

Not that ends the argument, but a doubleheader is never going to be a capacity game, at least not to look at. A significant percentage of each side involved will not bother with the other semi, even though they have a free ticket and are already at the ground.

This means that say the semis were Saints-Leeds and Hull FC-KR, games that could attract 20k - you'd have to put them in a 40k stadium to satisfy demand, but there would probably be only be 30k in at any one point, if that.

Now if you could put on the two games at the same ground, but clear the ground after game 1 and then admit people for game 2, with a discount double ticket for those that wanted it, I guess you'd increase your neutral take-up without having to put a half pint crowd in a pint pot stadium. Potetially more hassle than it's worth though.

but how many tickets will pass holders get

If you put events in small arenas with no promotion, people will think they are small events. Playing in a tiny stadium gives the feel that the competition has little meaning, and it will never grow if you restrict its capacity to such an extent.

Also, more neutrals will go to see BOTH games than just one. I would never consider going to one semi-final as a neutral. I would go to both. And I'm sure I'm not the only one. Having them both in one ground means they can combine advertising and marketing as well, possibly saving money on account of that.

Cardiff. Eastlands. Midlands. Wherever. Have 'em both in one big ground and I guarantee the total attendance will be bigger than having them at two separate grounds.

That's the biggest downfall for double headers. However, you could get around this possibly with some ingenious camera techniques. Using last year's semi-finalists as an example, have Leeds/Saints fans at one side of the ground and Hull/Wakey fans the other and change which side the camera faces for the second game.

Example:

LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSSSSS
L-------------------------------------S
L-------------------------------------S
L-------------------------------------S
H------------------------------------W
H------------------------------------W
H------------------------------------W
HHHHHHHHHHHWWWWWWWWWW

Shouldn't be impossible to set-up, no?

COM stadium hols 48000 divide that in2 four and you get 12000 im sure if we could manage to fill it if we had the well supported teams there.

Should point out that in Union, in 2007 and 2008, the Semi Finals of the EDF Energy Cup (The main knockout cup for English and Welsh teams) were played as a double header at the Millennium Stadium

According to Wiki, crowds were:
2007 - 40293
2008 - 41018

The teams that competed in those double headers were:
2007 - Leicester, Sale, Cardiff, Ospreys
2008 - Leicester, Wasps, Ospreys, Saracens

Leicester are one of the best supported RU teams. and with Cardiff and Ospreys involved you'd have expected a large turnout from the Welsh,

To me those figures say it didnt work for RU,

It got 50,000 the year before that, also.

I don't get how you can say a 40-50,000 crowd didn't work. That's not far off the actual final attendance for that competition.

40-50,000 would fill the CoM. And because CoM and MS are tiered stadiums, you can keep the top tier closed to make it look fuller if that is the desired effect.

When was the last time the combined semi-final attendance was above 40,000?

u won in 2000

Personally i think the double header is a great concept.
I just can't imagine many neutrals attending if they have to travel to Cardiff.

I think an Elland Rd or Reebok Stadium double header would be fantastic.

Rahs are less tribal than leaguies, so the double-header concept is easier for them to sell.

If celtic got to the semi finals, i dont think they would move the game to the Millenium, as there would be no point, to put what? 10k fans in dependent on the away team. IMO i think they would put that game to one of the neighbouring Rugby Union grounds, or they will play at Swansea or Cardiff, which i dont think Swansea would be a bad ground to play it at.

probably too many events already as said by another poster.

concentrate on the new MM and let that develop.

if the WTB want an event they can bid for that again

I reckon this is a great idea. Ive just had my stag do in Cardiff as i loved it down there for the challenge cup finals. Had a great weekend and the pubs, people and atmosphere of the place is sheer rugby. I happen to dislike rugby union a lot but I must admit it was great to be somewhere and not be blasted with premiership football from every angle. Itwas also a nice surprise to see Celtic kits feature very prominently in the sports shops as well as a few aussie club shirts.

If they do play the semis at the millenium, i'll be there. (as long as Leigh make it!)

I have to say that you are totally wrong to say that the MS and the neutrals could not fill the stadium for MM. The 12 SL teams could not fill the stadium. Blame the fans for not travelling if you want someone to put the fault on. I would like to know if you actually went to the game or are one of these people who blames everyone but himself.

Have a lok at the television guide for the 4th round and you will see that the BBC are showing a double header

The key for the double header at the semi's is that you get to see the team your club will face if they get to the final so it would have a lot more draw to it then MM where there are just 2 league points on offer. I like the Idea of the COM perhaps Bramall Lane could be could be big enough, I feel Cardiff maybe just out of reach unless some very creative marketing was on offer for passholders (2 tickets for £20) or something. Again these deals then help clubs marketing season tickets each year.