Why I stopped going to matches in Aviva?

Tim Robbins

I used to love going to see the big games but unfortunately, there is just too much get up and sit down to let people thru who are on their way to get pints or else off to the jacks.

If five people in your row get up to buy themselves (or a round) twice per half since you have to get up and sit down to let them out and then back in, it means for the five of them twice per half that's 20 get up and sit-downs in the match.
It is head wrecking especially since most of them don't even wait for the ball to go dead.

I emailed the IRFU and asked them to at least consider a non - drinking section, they would never to do this, because then they are admitting they are lots of people drinking lots of beer at their games and all those pints means lots and lots of money.

It's a frigging joke. Never happens at GAA or Soccer matches. Just matches in the Rugby matches in the Aviva

For me, it's too much. I love my rugby first. Now, instead, I go to AIL games, U20 matches and generally a step down where you don't get the binge drinkers. The worst I came across was paying 180 euro for All Blacks tickets for me and my son and some idiots nudging you to get up during the Haka so they could get their pints.

Suggest anyone who feels the same speak up and get onto the IRFU about this...

Virtanen

Sit in the middle of the row

Solved

swiwi_

Hate people getting up for pints during the match. But not to the point of boycotting games.

sydthebeat

Depends on the crowd and luck to be honest.

I was about 10 seats from the steps in Saturday in 523 and never had to move in either half.

Mc Love

The PA announcer is why I stopped going along with the arrogance of some leinster fans. I wish the team well in the final but i don't have a lot of gra for the fans I've encountered

NIMAN

Can you not turn sideways in your seat?

Tim Robbins

swiwi_ wrote: »

Hate people getting up for pints during the match. But not to the point of boycotting games.

I went to the Champions Cup final last year. Didn't have to move once.

Leinster and Irish fans in the Aviva is about as bad as it gets.

It doesn't annoy me in the slightest nor interrupt my enjoyment of games.

Hurrache

Meh, all the easier for those of us who enjoy a beer or several watching a game and not have to do so under the glare of someone purposely out looking to get annoyed at the slightest transgression on how they feel other strangers should behave in public.

Mc Love wrote: »

The PA announcer is why I stopped going along with the arrogance of some leinster fans. I wish the team well in the final but i don't have a lot of gra for the fans I've encountered

You'll get on well with the guy in the Munster thread looking for a French win in three weeks because he doesn't like Leinster fans, if that's not you already.

razorblunt

I’ve had more arguments with the folk behind me for standing up to let folk out than I’ve had with with the folk going out.

If you’re getting to argue with someone then argue with them not me, ye clowns.

Biggest row of all was some fud in Edinburgh who asked me to “not stand up unless a try was scored”.
I would have been standing with Everyone else as breaks for the line were happening. He was told to go off home for an unspoilt view.

Tim Robbins

Virtanen wrote: »

Sit in the middle of the row

Solved

I thought if you went for more expensive seats it would help with the problem - but it was just as bad if not worse.

Can you not turn sideways in your seat?

No, I have lanky legs. Also, it's still an interruption. I love every single thing about Rugby, I hate the interruption. I think you have the pre-match and half-time to get up. After that I think it's very rude and annoying. Unless it's someone with a young kid there is no excuse for it.

Never happen at a GAA or a Soccer match and I'd imagine if you did in some places, CA, Thomond Park, people would tell you where to go?

I have had arguments with people over it - hence why I stopped going.

Tim Robbins

Hurrache wrote: »

Meh, all the easier for those of us who enjoy a beer or several watching a game and not have to do so under the glare of someone purposely out looking to get annoyed at the slightest transgression on how they feel other strangers should behave in public.

Do you wait until the ball is dead or do you walk across people when an attack is on?

PhlegmyMoses

Was at the game Saturday. Didn't have to get up once. Have had some experiences similar to yours but it wouldn't stop me from going

Hurrache

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Do you wait until the ball is dead or do you walk across people when an attack is on?

Break in play, but people still want you glued to your seat and only allowed up at half time or at the end of the game.

Should I feel aggrieved like you when fans infront of me stand when they get over excited with every bit of action forcing me to stand when I don't want to in order to see the game?

P.Walnuts

Ban the sale of alcohol at the stadium is the only solution.

I'm sure the players would love to play in a half empty stadium

Virtanen

Tim Robbins wrote: »

I thought if you went for more expensive seats it would help with the problem - but it was just as bad if not worse.

Not what I suggested. Sit in the middle of the row of seats. Nobody to pass by because they have quicker routes to the bar

Or maybe stop getting so worked up about it. Honestly, it sounds like you're being more of a problem than they are, by taking such massive offence to such a minor inconvenience

its_phil

If the ball is live then yeah that's pretty annoying.

But if ball is dead, I wouldn't have much sympathy.

P.Walnuts

P.Walnuts wrote: »

Ban the sale of alcohol at the stadium is the only solution.

I'm sure the players would love to play in a half empty stadium

Isn't alcohol banned for football matches?

Tim Robbins

Hurrache wrote: »

Break in play, but people still want you glued to your seat and only allowed up at half time or at the end of the game.

Half time / full time is the way it should be. You could still have your pints and wouldn't annoy anyone.

If you have more than two drinks per match, a break in play is a good compromise. Ref will usually do time off twice per half.

But if you can't wait for that, the ball usually goes out of play or is knocked on, or there is a penalty -> every 2 mins. So if you have to say 5 pints per match that could work and you wouldn't distract that much.

Should I feel aggrieved like you when fans infront of me stand when they get over excited with every bit of action forcing me to stand when I don't want to in order to see the game?

I think that happens in every sport so I would let that go. might be annoying if you have a kid with you and they can't see anything.

The binge drinking, have no interest in the actual game - is a uniquely Irish and Leinster Aviva thing.

Tim Robbins

Virtanen wrote: »

Not what I suggested. Sit in the middle of the row of seats. Nobody to pass by because they have quicker routes to the bar

Or maybe stop getting so worked up about it. Honestly, it sounds like you're being more of a problem than they are, by taking such massive offence to such a minor inconvenience

Hold on - not sure how much you like Rugby but I love it. Every pass, tackle, ruck, lineout, field, you name it... It's class. I want to see it. If you loved going to the cinema and had to get up 20 times per movie to let the drinkes passed would you not get annoyed?

Hurrache

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Isn't alcohol banned for football matches?

That's what I thought, not allowed bring it to your seats hence it not an issue.

Been a while since I was at a GAA game in Croke Park but don't think you were allowed then either, but that was about 18 years ago.

Tim Robbins

its_phil wrote: »

If the ball is live then yeah that's pretty annoying.

But if ball is dead, I wouldn't have much sympathy.

My experience 90% of them will not wait until the ball is dead. Have way more interest in pints than the match.

Hurrache

Tim Robbins wrote: »

.

The binge drinking, have no interest in the actual game - is a uniquely Irish and Leinster Aviva thing.

The two aren't mutually exclusive, and I guess you've never been to Cardiff?

Tim Robbins

P.Walnuts wrote: »

Ban the sale of alcohol at the stadium is the only solution.

I'm sure the players would love to play in a half empty stadium

Well this says it all. People only going for the binge drinking...
I think you'd get more real fans.

In the old Landstown Road you had a beer tent outside and then had a few before match and then came in to watch it. The 2006 semi final with our Munster cousins had a super atmosphere -

In the Aviva, there is a keg with 15 seconds of every seat.

Virtanen

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Hold on - not sure how much you like Rugby but I love it. Every pass, tackle, ruck, lineout, field, you name it... It's class. I want to see it. If you loved going to the cinema and had to get up 20 times per movie to let the drinkes passed would you not get annoyed?

Do my first suggestion then

I don't care about any sport enough to moan about missing a few seconds of it, but you do you

Tim Robbins

Hurrache wrote: »

The two aren't mutually exclusive, and I guess you've never been to Cardiff?

Been to Cardiff alright. Just not as bad.

Leinster just has this thing about it, there are a pile of fans in it for the booze. Same as Jack Charlton era (showing my age).

Buer

You must be the unluckiest man in the entire stadium. I don't think I've ever had to get up more than 3 or 4 times in a half of rugby to let people out. I imagine you must be forced to get up at least 10 times to prompt such a reaction.

I didn't get up once yesterday and was only about 6 seats from the end of the row.

Tim Robbins

Virtanen wrote: »

Do my first suggestion then

I don't care about any sport enough to moan about missing a few seconds of it, but you do you

Do you care about anything that you want to see it all?

Hurrache

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Been to Cardiff alright. Just not as bad.

Leinster just has this thing about it, there are a pile of fans in it for the booze. Same as Jack Charlton era (showing my age).

Oh, it's just a Leinster thing now is it? And quite a few of us know the Charlton era, and also stood in the pissy smelling terraces and stands at Lansdowne Road for rugby.

P.Walnuts

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Well this says it all. People only going for the binge drinking...
I think you'd get more real fans.

In the old Landstown Road you had a beer tent outside and then had a few before match and then came in to watch it. The 2006 semi final with our Munster cousins had a super atmosphere -

In the Aviva, there is a keg with 15 seconds of every seat.

On a bit of a high horse arn't we?

I'm sure real fans like yourself add greatly to the atmosphere, you yourself are comparing the game to being at the cinema. Sit still and mute, what an occasion 55k punters like that would be :pac:

Tim Robbins

Hurrache wrote: »

Oh, it's just a Leinster thing now is it? And quite a few of us know the Charlton era, and also stood in the pissy smelling terraces and stands at Lansdowne Road for rugby.

Leinster in the Aviva and Ireland in the Aviva are the worst I have experienced.
I blame the stadium more than the fans - it encourages more of it.

Tim Robbins

P.Walnuts wrote: »

On a bit of a high horse arn't we?

I'm sure real fans like yourself add greatly to the atmosphere, you yourself are comparing the game to being at the cinema. Sit still and mute, what an occasion 55k punters like that would be :pac:

You could compare it to a rock concert if you want. People go there to see a band and hear them play their music. If someone turned on Joe Duff right beside them so that fans couldn't hear the band, they'd be told to f - off.

siochain

I paid €152 euro to see the game with one of the kids yesterday and I was sitting in the aisle set and between

- People getting up in my row
- People getting up in the row in front
- Continuous procession of people walking down the stairs
- People walking back up the stairs stopping to watch play

I seen feck all :mad:

bilston

Mc Love wrote: »

The PA announcer is why I stopped going along with the arrogance of some leinster fans. I wish the team well in the final but i don't have a lot of gra for the fans I've encountered

You stopped going to games because of the PA announcer...WTAF?

Diabhal Beag

All this is my own personal experience obviously but I always find Aviva fans leave during stoppages whereas for a match in Croker you'd have people leaving/getting in every 2/3 minutes regardless of what's happening. This could also happen during multiple games on the same day whereas it'd be just the one match in the Aviva. Still wouldn't bother me and usually people are polite about it and try and get back to their seat as quickly as possible.

P_1

Simple solution to your problem, buy a ticket at the premium level. Then you won't have to worry about the riff raff interrupting you.

theoneeyedman

In my experience, many who 'follow' Irish rugby are doing it for the craic: it's fashionable in recent years to watch the IRFU teams in the pub, and to be seen and able to talk/post on social media about being at the game etc.
Many have only a passing interest on sport, let alone rugby. It's a social pastime, rather than a passion. It's not everyone of course, and it has happened with soccer too, but probably not to the same extent

Hurrache

So what's the story then, you're only a real fan if you stay in your seat, finger on your lips apart from when shouting ciúin agus suigh síos at everyone else?

Tim Robbins

Hurrache wrote: »

So what's the story then, you're only a real fan if you stay in your seat, finger on your lips apart from when shouting ciúin agus suigh síos at everyone else?

Real fan was a bad choice of words.

Just trying to point out that the matches in the Aviva can be very annoying if you are interested in watching the match. If you are not that interested, probably not annoying at all. It would be great if there was something could be done about this. Irish Rugby has a great tradition of silence for the kicker - it would be great if something could be done about this

As in, there has to be a way for those who like a few pints, the social aspect and the people who really want to watch the match to both get what they want. For example, if they closed the bars when the match was on (or at least didn't serve alcohol) that would do it.

You get to the ground a bit earlier, buy a few pints before, get another one at half time - that would work.

dodderangler

So you stoooed going to the aviva because other people were doing what they do? And that effects you why? Are you that interested or effected by others that it means you avoid things now? This is pretty sad.

Mc Love

Mc Love wrote: »

The PA announcer is why I stopped going along with the arrogance of some leinster fans. I wish the team well in the final but i don't have a lot of gra for the fans I've encountered

What arrogance is this?

Tim Robbins

Mc Love wrote: »

the arrogance of some leinster fans. I wish the team well in the final but i don't have a lot of gra for the fans I've encountered

Sad to hear. But you'll meet annoying fans everywhere. Bear in mind a lot of hardcore Rugby fans aren't going to the big games in the Aviva.

I'm Leinster thru and thru - some of the fans are super, some annoying. Same with lots of them to be honest.

I went to Ireland v Fiji last Autumn and had premium tickets, I quite genuinely had to get up over ten times per half and because of the lack of incline in our section anyone standing up in the 2-3 rows in front of us blocked our view too.

It was a bad joke and even though the tickets were free, I wouldn't have gone if I knew how ****ty the experience would be.

I've been to 3 leinster games in the Aviva this season and found it not particularly dissimilar, constant procession to and fro.

It's 40minutes per half, it wouldn't kill the stadium to not serve drinks during play.

Tim Robbins

dodderangler wrote: »

So you stoooed going to the aviva because other people were doing what they do? And that effects you why? Are you that interested or effected by others that it means you avoid things now? This is pretty sad.

It effects me, because I want to see the match and I can't.

Tim Robbins

Tim Robbins wrote: »

Real fan was a bad choice of words.

Just trying to point out that the matches in the Aviva can be very annoying if you are interested in watching the match. If you are not that interested, probably not annoying at all. It would be great if there was something could be done about this. Irish Rugby has a great tradition of silence for the kicker - it would be great if something could be done about this

As in, there has to be a way for those who like a few pints, the social aspect and the people who really want to watch the match to both get what they want. For example, if they closed the bars when the match was on (or at least didn't serve alcohol) that would do it.

You get to the ground a bit earlier, buy a few pints before, get another one at half time - that would work.

I honestly think you should just watch it on TV

dodderangler

Tim Robbins wrote: »

It effects me, because I want to see the match and I can't.

That's bull. You still get to watch the match don't be looking for an excuse. You get up and you're still watching the game. I've been to plenty of rugby games. Doesn't bother me. Still get to watch the match.

Squidgy Black

I worked in the bars in the Aviva for a couple years. After kick off and before half time, you'd be lucky to see 10 punters if even coming up to buy a drink. Also been to a couple of games myself and I can't remember having to stand up for someone to get past more than twice a match.

Croke Park was ten times busier. There'd be a constant stream of people looking for drinks.

LeinsterDub

Have you considered talking to Joe? You should talk to Joe.

Buer

To be honest, if someone wants to see the match in great detail and observe every ruck, pass kick etc. they're better off watching it on television anyway. You're never going to be able to see the game in great detail from 100m away in the stands regardless of having to stand up to let people past; television cameras offer a far better view in more detail.

sliabh 1956

.

"Never happen at a GAA or a Soccer match and I'd imagine if you did in some places, CA, Thomond Park, people would tell you where to go"

I Have expierenced it in Thompond especially at the Christmas derbies as a non drinker it does annoy me somewhat but then again as Mrs Sliabh keeps telling me I tend to take my Sport far too seriously maybe a drink might help me to chill out a bit more during matches. When Munster won their last Heiniken Cup in Cardiff with 5 mins remaining and Munster defending desperately A couple who had recieved tickets from a friend of mine turned to me and said " we will slip away now we have seen enough" The Mans wife must have made 4 journeys to get him drinks during the match , We got off to a bad start when she asked me what Colour Munster wore . I must add they were buisness contacts of my friend Id say that was their first and last Rugby match. Shame about to days result just not good enough no complaints

ClanofLams

Can understand the frustration, at Millenium stadium a few years ago we stood up twenty times in each half at least. On the outside of a row with a big Irish gang inside us who were going for pints, then toilet, etc.

But I was at the Aviva yesterday as was in Dublin for the morning anyway and only had to stand up a couple of times in each half.

Luck dependent really but something like the first example there ruins the whole experience, although it is an extreme example to be fair.