Atlanta United President Darren Eales emphasized on Wednesday that the club is working with Georgia Tech to improve the fan experience for its next home against Chicago on March 18.
More than 55,000 attended the inaugural game on March 5 at Bobby Dodd Stadium. The number of people created a series of logistical issues including long lines to get into the stadium and long lines for concessions.
Some of the issues could be solved for subsequent games by familiarity, communication from the team to the fans and between the team and the Georgia Tech Athletic Association, and by a slightly reduced capacity at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
“It was still an amazing occasion,” Eales said. “People who were there told me, ‘Yeah, there might have been this issue or this, but man what a game. I’m glad I was there.’ ”
In an attempt to keep that type of positive momentum, Eales said officials from the club are meeting with counterparts from Georgia Tech to mitigate the problem areas. According to the contract between the parties, the Georgia Tech Athletic Association is in charge of staffing for concessions, ushers, etc.
Eales said Atlanta United will do what it can by using its communication channels (social media, app, e-mail blasts, working with the four supporter’s groups) to try to make sure those coming to the game are aware of policies such as which gate to enter, to have tickets ready to be scanned upon entering the stadium, the clear-bag policy, etc. That confusion regarding some or all of the entrance policies were a reason for some of the long lines to get in to Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Eales said he believes that some of those who attended the first game will apply that experience to future games. He compared it to the experience of going through the security line at the airport. After you do it once, you know what to do on subsequent trips.
Because of construction on the northern end of Bobby Dodd Stadium, the stadium’s capacity will be reduced to 45,000 for Atlanta United’s subsequent games. Fewer people should also improve the overall experience.
Eales also re-emphasized that certain fan behaviors, including the homophobic chant recited by a small group of fans, and throwing items onto the field, will not be tolerated.
The team began working with the supporter’s groups on ways to make known that the chant shouldn’t be said, and can easily be replaced with something else. He said those identified as saying the chant or throwing items onto the field will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis by security. The GTAA is in charge of security. The team declined to say if any actions had been taken toward fans who threw things or recited the chant in the first game. A person at the stadium e-mailed saying he saw at least one person escorted about by security after throwing food onto the field.
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