August 8 – Abu Dhabi club Al Ain has launched a season ticket initiative for fans in its new Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium, one of the few clubs in the region to have such a scheme. But what is most notable about the initiative is that females and families across the region are being encouraged to participate.
Women being allowed into stadia to watch football in many parts of the Middle East is still frowned upon as inappropriate. In Saudi Arabia the ban on women watching football in the stadium was only lifted in 2012.
Al Ain are taking steps to overcome traditional attitudes by encouraging the female and families market with a promotional offer that will reserve them a seat in their own section of the stadium for the whole season.
Cost of a season ticket starts at Dh200 ($55).
“We are doing everything here to attract fans and that is great for everyone involved in football in this country,” Al Ain and UAE star star Omar Abdulrahman told Gulfnews.com.
“The new stadium is fantastic and all the facilities are there as well – we want as many people as possible out here supporting Al Ain as it really helps the players. The better the atmosphere, the better it is for all those coming to matches.”
The Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium stadium holds 25,000 spectators and was only opened earlier this year. The stadium’s home club Al Ain FC play in the UAE Pro-League and were initially going to open the stadium with a friendly against Manchester City. Due to fixture congestion Manchester City were unable to play the inaugural fixture but the Abu Dhabi-owned club have since played a sold-out friendly there.
Al Ain Football Club is one of the first UAE football clubs to introduce season tickets for its fans. The scheme will allow the club’s large fanbase to showcase their loyal support for their favourite team as it sets its sights on more title honours and championships.
The new season tickets are offered across a sliding scale of four premium categories in addition to a general admission category.
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