In order to boost attendance, Newcastle United season ticket holders will be offered an additional free half-season ticket to gift to a friend, the team announced this week.
Over the weekend, Newcastle won a match against Southampton at St. James Park, but only 42,303 fans were in attendance – marking the team’s lowest attendance in over nine years. The club is attempting to boost these numbers with the free half-season ticket, which will go into effect on December 28 when Newcastle takes on Everton.
St. James Park can hold over 52,400 supporters, making the venue the eighth largest football stadium in England. Manager Steve Bruce explained to Yahoo! Sports that the team shouldn’t take crowds for granted, but questions whether or not the club can pack the stadium.
“It starts with results on the pitch,” Bruce said. “But I hope a gesture like this will help us to fill the place because St. James’ Park in full voice is a force to be reckoned with.”
Free half-season tickets were available this week on a first-come, first-served basis. The club is slated to play a game against Burnley FC this Saturday, followed by matches with Crystal Palace and Man United in the coming week. Bruce will find out if the attempt to fill seats with free half-season tickets pays off with the Everton match later this month – marking their last game of 2019.