I think it will be one hell of a game and one hell of an Atmosphere in one of the best grounds RL has to offer.

I hope cas and Widnes fans enjoy the experience and may the best team win.

Too close to call, but will look fantastic on TV,

Good luck to the teams and fans alike

Should be a cracker, Kevin Brown needs to have a massive game for Widnes to stand a chance.

Mmmmm

00:47 Wednesday morning??? Interesting. Up t'ot neck.

It's great to be able to say that a team that nobody expected to be in with a shout, will be going through to the Final after the weekend. I'm not particularly bothered which team wins, as I don't follow either team, but I have seen some good things by both teams/clubs this year.

I'ts fine, the internet doesn't close until 1am Wednesday.

I think we could have filled a 15 k stadium for this but least it's on Terrestrial tv for those that miss out.

Nice of you to think Leeds might beat Warrington but I can't see it happening.

Some positive news... where's the catch ? !

When did selling out a 12000 stadium for a cup semi final become something to shout about? Is that how far the game has slumped in recent years?

Don't suppose the other game has sold out yet?

For 2 teams with a relatively low crowd base. When money is tight for a lot of people. Considering we've come to expect around a 12k crowd for 2 of the big 4 playing each other.

I think it's worthy of praise.

How many times! Optimism and congratulations are not allowed here!

I won't warn you again...

Sorry!

The RFL are a bunch of corrupt, inept, thick barstewards who don't know a thing about rugby league! They're always out to get my club and the whole sport is bent and completely inept! I could do far far better on my own because I'm so wonderful and amazing and incredibly smart!




That better?

Historically Cas and Widnes have reasonably sized fan bases. In the 90s you'd have expected them to muster the best part of 10k each for a game such as this. Decline in general interest in the sport or in the Challenge Cup specifically?

I would agree in the present context it's a good outcome to have the stadium sold out though.

Whilst it's good to see the game sold out, I don't think it's worthy of press releases from the RFL etc. If it was a bigger stadium then fair enough however I don't think 12000 for a semi final is anything to go overboard with.

Better to sell out a 12,000er than complain about empty seats in a 20,000 + ground surely ??

after all the positivity on this thread this is much more like it - congrats sir, a fine return to the overall tone of the forum

2011 Wigan and St Helens could only muster just over 12700 for the semi final held at Warrington in what was effectively a local game for all concerned. IMHO biggest issue (especially for travelling fans) is the proximity of the final.....hedging your bets and saving you pennies ?

Will the majority watching on tv now the capacity. Or just see no gaps?

12000 in a 20000 would have less atmosphere.

This. Some of my friends aren't going to Langtree on Saturday purely because they couldn't then afford to go to Wembley in a fortnight if we get there (particularly those with kids). They have decided they would rather miss the semi and hopefully go to Wembley.

I thought this was talking about Leigh vs Featherstone on Friday at first!

It's a knock on effect of having too much too close to the end of the season. You have to pay for CC semi tickets with a potential final in mind, then right around the corner you could have 2 or 3 playoff games to pay for plus the Grand Final. It's another reason I think the CC should move back to May and the CC games should be more evenly spread throughout the season. Some of the biggest games of the season, such as CC semis and PO games, often end up as some of the most poorly attended.

Well done to Widnes and Cas fans, I think it'll be a cracking game!

I agree, it'd also give a better balance to the season so that teams would have to perform better at least at the mid-point of the season in order to win the Cup rather than just peaking at the end of the season.

Also not to forget. Cas have Catalans away in 5weeks. And will be traveling in massive numbers there but a semi, potential final and Catalans all in 5 weeks is a costly effort.

Either way. We've sold out the 7000 tickets we were given and have some missing out but rather a full house than empty.

I've seen more cases of people being upset that they weren't able to get tickets. A few extra thousand on that capacity and it would still have been sold out.

Maybe the Halliwell Jones or Keepmoat would have been better choices, they both hold around 15k.

Totally agree with this. I know quite a few who are missing the game due to not been able to get a ticket. Either HJ or Keepmoat would have been a lot better.