Asian Games crowds in spotlight as only 998 turn up to see hosts in 50,000-capacity stadium
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South Korean players react after losing to Japan in the women's football semi-final match at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games on Sept 29.
PHOTO: EPA
- Less than 1,000 fans attended the women's football semi-finals at a 50,000-capacity stadium, with rain and typhoon threats blamed for low turnout.
- Officials admitted some large venues struggled with attendance despite over one million tickets sold overall.
- Organisers aim to boost attendance, noting ticket sales usually increase near event dates, but weather and stadium size impacted spectator numbers.
AI generated
NAGOYA, Japan – Under 1,000 spectators watched Asian Games hosts Japan beat South Korea in the semi-finals of the women’s football at a 50,000-capacity stadium, with a top official admitting on Sept 30 that attendances at some events were “disappointing”.
Japanese organisers have been on the defensive over attendances ever since the opening ceremony on Sept 19 took place in front of thousands of empty seats.
Officials said on that occasion that the threat of a typhoon had put people off, and heavy rain fell from Sept 27 until Sept 29.
While some competitions have played out to healthy crowds, others have struggled to attract fans.
The first women’s football semi-final on Sept 29 at the stadium in Shizuoka, a venue for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, saw North Korea beat China 2-0 in front of an official attendance of 564.
With rain falling steadily, 998 people then saw the hosts defeat South Korea by the same scoreline.
Japan and North Korea will meet for gold on Oct 2 at the same stadium.
Takashi Yamazaki, head of ticketing, told reporters on Sept 30: “Sports that are selling well are... at 80% or 90% or more.”
But he added: “On the other hand, the large venues for baseball and football, as well as athletics, have struggled from the start because of their size.
“Tickets usually surge in the final stretch before an event. But as you know, there was a long spell of cold rain, and sales stalled.
“We were already struggling more than expected, and then sales stalled further. That is a little disappointing.”
Organisers in Aichi-Nagoya said on Sept 29 that more than one million tickets had been sold for the continent’s biggest sporting spectacular.
But they also admitted they were “not satisfied” after the men’s and women’s 100m, the blue-riband athletics events, took place in front of thousands of empty seats on Sept 25.
“We will keep aiming for full stadiums, keep selling tickets and work to make sure people who have secured seats actually come,” said Satoshi Murate, secretary-general of the Asian Games organising committee, in response to a question from AFP news agency.
In a press release late on Sept 29, organisers said the overall ticket sales rate was expected to be more than 70%. AFP