Most punters know a friend of a friend, the person with the golden ticket.
Your average fan will sit randomly in general admission seating. Or dedicated members will have an allocated area, but apart from a better view, the trimmings are rare.
Corporate seating, on the other hand, is the rumoured holy grail of the sporting world.
I’ve spent most of my A-Leagues existence either on a grassy hill, or stuck behind the goals, watching the nets ripple.
A few weeks ago, however, a mate of mine pulled a favour, and I was gifted prime position at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, situated in Kogarah.
It was for a Sydney FC game against Western United.
Four of us fans were spaced out in a six-seater box, at the back of the beautiful stadium.
The first difference I noticed was thick carpet as I placed my beer down on the ground.
Although it was a small contrast, I still felt rather regal, even distinguished, having been granted a little luxury.
Oddly, I also become aware of our conservative nature, as our replying chants to the Cove fanatics were murmured at best. Had we gone soft?
(Photo by Mark Evans/Getty Images)
While watching the game, a few of us wistfully chatted about the freedoms of general admission fans lounging on the opposite hill.
That is until we noticed another, more exclusive area behind us. Concealed behind glass was a bunch of well-dressed folk sipping drinks.
Suddenly the four of us became jealous, each timid soul badgering the other to run through gauntlet and enter the cave of wonders.
Eventually, half of our travelling party departed, disappearing for a few minutes, before sheepishly returning.
The culprit was thongs. Inappropriate footwear gave the game away.
After much mockery, we settled our eyes back on the field, having missed a large portion of the game.
“Didn’t we come here for the football?” someone asked.
I’m sure there have been wild stories about behind-the-scenes shenanigans at matches.
Tales of the elite rubbing shoulders with the crème de la crème of society.
If you can afford it, that is, you can join them too.
In the meantime, make sure you locate the elusive friend of a friend.
Because a bit of pampering is never a bad thing
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
not at the SFS the active support had the carpet area undercover. They will probably wreck it in the new stadium.
NoMates
Roar Rookie
Watching the Solomon Islands score at there home ground and the fans falling out of tree's is a real site to see.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I’m looking forward to visiting Lumen field next month to watch the Sounders. They have good active support, a fair sprinkling of general fans and I’ll be interested to see how much corporate there is present. Whatever the answer, the food and drink available puts our stadiums to shame…… maybe I’ll write a piece if I can fit it in!
Buddy
Roar Rookie
Without doubt it is a generator of dollars and the opportunity for businesses to cement relationships and further company interests. However, in relation to governing bodies I have been invited on quite a few occasions and generally you could say it was a reward for participation on boards or at hearings and similar. The atmosphere was quite different and plenty of real interest and dress code was casual to say the least.
Brendan
Roar Pro
I’m probably easily impressed, having found the facilities at Kogarah to be fantastic. Certainly there were no chandeliers, but it had a quaint charm. Very friendly and professional staff too.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Indeed, Parramatta Stadium is an interesting case. The TV cameras are primarily pointed at the private suites. I’d prefer seeing WSW members and GA fans instead. It’s important to show the heart & soul of the club
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
It's ok if you're there with people you like, old friends, etc. But if you're getting distracted from the game all night by people who like the taste of their own bath water, it's a bit meh. It can certainly be a bit sterile, and divorced from proceedings. I wouldn't have thought a corporate box in Kogarah would represent the epitome of luxury.
Brainstrust
Roar Rookie
I dont get the whole business personally, in Australia the sporting event is somehow secondary to being there to hobnob in the stands, why is horse racing so big in Australia, most people only watch the horses across the finish line, I do know some people that go to the Swans and pretend to like AFL in the corporate areas for their businesses,. If your not going to get the premium food at an ethnic club, though its more horse meat souvlaki these days , the chevapi has never declined, the safest option is to go for chips or the hotdog. People can not stuff it up , anything else seems to turn into a horror show at the stadium. I havent done much corporate but its just a mental delusion at these stadiums, maybe somewhere there is some half. People pay thousands for this rubbish, go to a restaurant and pub or have an event at home if you can cook its going to be a lot better. Look at what they did at WSW stadium its a joke they had 20k seating along the sideline and ony a few k at the ends, now its 15k only and 15k in the corners and at the back because of the corporate stupidity .
Brendan
Roar Pro
I recall the rebuilding of Parramatta Stadium (or CommBank or BankWest), and there was a focus on the western side being allocated to the suits. The corporate dollar in the 1980’s was probably minimal compared to now, hence the knock-down. Also, I can only assume that Sydney’s new digs at Moore Park have improved corporate facilities too. I’d be interested to know which A-League team brings in the most sponsorship. Melbourne Victory looks like a strong contender.
jbinnie
Guest
Buddy - What is the real reason behind the idea of corporate boxes? With all due respect to you and others who have commented it is not to watch a game in some degree of luxury, it is for the management of the clubs, forever chasing sponsorship, to wine, dine, and sell their clubs aims and aspirations to a business sector, where, if the job is well done, sponsorship of some kind will be forthcoming. I too have been in a corporate box and to be quite honest it is the last place on earth you would want to be when watching a game unfold, for the amount of inane gossip (not about football) that goes on is almost overbearing in such a closed in atmosphere. The day I attended, one of our party worked hard at "connecting", the other spent time talking about his achievements in Business, and I positioned myself so that it would appear I was listening but in fact had set my stool to face the giant TV screen at the end of the ground. The man doing his best at "connecting" explained to us at games end that in Melbourne the corporate box would have been packed to capacity with "business types" and club officials mixing with them on selling exercises. Maybe that's why Victory can still hit crowds of 17,000 while others are lucky to get 7,000. A lesson to be learned?????. Cheers jb.
Brendan
Roar Pro
Yeah, there’s an element of subdued passion from corporate boxes. It’s a tightrope to walk, especially if your team scores, & one’s immediate, euphoric reaction is reserved. Almost unnatural. Comically, I’m sure there’s been a few boisterous fan ejections. A rite-of-passage for some.
Brendan
Roar Pro
I certainly feel that way, especially when the active supporters’ put up with the elements, & the bigwigs are wrapped in cotton wool in the stands. Having said that, it’s a bonus not to have a soggy Mrs Mac pie or hot chips.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
I tend to look at it this way: do you want to go and watch a particular event or do you want to go somewhere to be entertained, or engage in polite chit chat whilst eating and drinking and meanwhile there is something going on out on the field that is almost incidental. I have been invited into corporate boxes on numerous occasions; accepted a few and declined quite a lot too. For me, it is just too far removed from the enjoyment of going along to watch and support a team and Having to be fairly neutral to the point of being bland whilst watching a game just isn’t worth it. I can boast being kicked out of a corporate box back in the 90’s at the world youth championships for being far too raucous and singing a few rude songs along with a colleague. They should have controlled the flow of alcohol a bit better in my opinion!
Grem
Roar Rookie
A good story Brendan. I too have had a couple of turns in corporate, but never at the football. It is certainly a treat. I did feel guilty at one game, though, where the true and rusted on supporters were drenched in rain on the hill, trying to find some relief under umbrellas and in plastic ponchos, while I had warm food and drinks brought to me. It seemed unfair that the real supporters weren't the people being looked after.