After a good start where 1,500 tickets found takers in the first 24 hours following the announcement of the presentation of a match of the first Canadian league (CPL) in Quebec, sales have slowed down considerably, but the initial objective remains the same.
The Wanderers of Halifax and the FC of York United will cross the iron at the PEPS of Laval University, on May 31, during a CPL match played in neutral field. Kelowna had welcomed a match last year. The circuit leaders wish to probe the interest of the cities visited in the event of an expansion.
The organizers have sold 3000 tickets so far. “This is not the ideal scenario, agreed the director general of the Regional soccer association of Quebec (ARSQ), Philippe Bernard, but it was not realistic to think that the stadium would be full after a week.”
“We started in lion and sales exceeded expectations, but there was a stagnation thereafter, to continue Bernard. I can’t wait to see the figures increased, but I’m not in panic mode. If the situation has not changed by the end of next week, you can ask me again if I am worried. ”
Two factors suggest that sales will increase in the coming days. “A advertising campaign will be triggered shortly,” said Bernard. The CPL plan was to wait three weeks before the match. The selection camps end soon and the clubs want to wait to know their alignment before booking. They want to come to a team and there are group prices. I understand their decision. “
-Objective
Bernard is hopeful that the public will be there. “I think we can still achieve the goal of filling out the stadium,” he said. We want to fill the 10,000 seats. In Montreal last year when the Saint-Laurent club qualified for the Canadian championship final against the Toronto FC, people had been boiling in the last 24 hours. A crowd of 7,500 people attended the match. I expect a similar scenario. ”
“We must seize the opportunity”
If it remains positive, the CEO of the ARSQ is however aware that Quebec will play Gros on May 31. “It is really important that people respond. We must seize the opportunity to present a match on neutral field. The community of Soccer, the city and the CPL want a team in Quebec. Amateurs must make sure you get the message you want a team. ”
The ARSQ will juggle the calendars under its authority to release the time end in the afternoon. “Except for the provincial circuit, there will be no game for young people from 3 p.m.,” said Bernard. We do this event for young people and we want them to be able to attend. ”
Bernard mentions that two or three groups of investors raised their hands to signify their interest in engaging financially in the future arrival of a team. “It is always the same two or three secret groups that have signed confidentiality agreements with the City and possibly with the Laval University given that there will be at least one year of transition to PEPS before a stage dedicated to soccer is the day.”
Soccer Quebec will take advantage of the CPL visit to the old capital to hold its annual general meeting there.
