RedSox and Yankees will be in London next year on June 29-30.

Green Monster

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This is beyond stupid. I was traveling in Europe a few weeks ago and it is nearly impossible to follow MLB. Games don't start until 2am and are ending when the morning alarm goes off. Anyone with a typical work schedule would not be able to any watch games. They might attract some curious fans for the 2-game series but I highly doubt that will translate into new "Baseball Fans"...... The fact that the Sox are getting tagged with home games sounds like they were the ones pushing for this, possibly trying to build some synergy with their Soccer fan base?
 

Ale Xander

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Oct 31, 2013
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This is beyond stupid. I was traveling in Europe a few weeks ago and it is nearly impossible to follow MLB. Games don't start until 2am and are ending when the morning alarm goes off. Anyone with a typical work schedule would not be able to any watch games. They might attract some curious fans for the 2-game series but I highly doubt that will translate into new "Baseball Fans"...... The fact that the Sox are getting tagged with home games sounds like they were the ones pushing for this, possibly trying to build some synergy with their Soccer fan base?
Agree completely that this is beyond stupid. If Henry wanted synergy, wouldn't one or both games need to be at Liverpool?

You're taking a summer weekend, the first or second summer weekend after school is out (depending on snow) when kids are looking forward to baseball, the opponent with the best demand, one of the few games that would sell out normally, and moving it across an ocean.

You also create an offday on a Friday, presumably, and don't create efficiency by having it next to ASB.

I just don't understand this, unless the ticket prices are unGodly and they already have corporations with agreements to buy packages at those prices.

Major goodwill lost with season ticket holders and especially with Red Sox (and MFY) fans down the I-95, I-84 corridors, who look forward to this series every year.

Absolutely no reason why Red Sox are taking both games as home games.
 

Ale Xander

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I'm assuming this means two 4-game series at Fenway, one in April or early May and one in August no? If the second one is September, heads will probably roll.
 

DavefromHopkinton

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Jul 18, 2005
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Cambridge
London had heavy snow at the end of March this year.

Yes, the prevailing wind in Britain is a South-Westerly, which gives us far higher temperatures than you would expect at our latitude, but it doesn't happen all the time - this March being a prime example of what happens when the wind turns Easterly.
I was in London for two weeks in March. The heavy snow was a 1/2 inch to an inch three days in a row. They thought it was heavy snow; I thought it was a dusting.
 

Spacemans Bong

chapeau rose
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This is beyond stupid. I was traveling in Europe a few weeks ago and it is nearly impossible to follow MLB. Games don't start until 2am and are ending when the morning alarm goes off. Anyone with a typical work schedule would not be able to any watch games. They might attract some curious fans for the 2-game series but I highly doubt that will translate into new "Baseball Fans"...... The fact that the Sox are getting tagged with home games sounds like they were the ones pushing for this, possibly trying to build some synergy with their Soccer fan base?
It's quite easy to follow baseball, if you use this wondrous thing called the internet. The games are going to sell out without too much of a hassle, everything from your post except for game times is what Americans were saying in 2007 when the NFL started playing games in London. Every NFL London game has sold out except for a dogshit Bears/Bucs matchup after the lockout, when they lost months of promotional time.

Also, seriously, they play day games. That's what Europeans watch. Getaway days and weekends are when I actually watch baseball.
 

Spacemans Bong

chapeau rose
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You just proved his point.
No, he said nobody with a typical work schedule could watch any games. The fact that there's probably 30-40 games a year that are watchable live disproves that quite comprehensively. You've also failed to take into account that it is very easy to watch a game that has already been played. I watch last night's game most mornings while I do housework, make my breakfast, get dressed, etc on my iPad. If I want, I can listen to last night's Giants game over the internet (the Red Sox are harder) taking the train into work.

All living in Europe means is you follow the game differently. But you can follow it. I've been here 11 years and it's really not hard. Most Europeans who like baseball do the same basic things I do. Most Europeans who like any American sport do the same things, and all the NFL/NBA/NHL does when they go to Europe is play in front of sellout crowds.
 

Green Monster

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It's quite easy to follow baseball, if you use this wondrous thing called the internet. The games are going to sell out without too much of a hassle, everything from your post except for game times is what Americans were saying in 2007 when the NFL started playing games in London. Every NFL London game has sold out except for a dogshit Bears/Bucs matchup after the lockout, when they lost months of promotional time.

Also, seriously, they play day games. That's what Europeans watch. Getaway days and weekends are when I actually watch baseball.
Yes, I am aware of the internet. I do realize it is possible to follow scores & standings, etc. However, that is much different then the drama of watching a game and sitting on the edge of your seat with every pitch. If you find it enjoyable to watch a replay of a game that already has a known outcome while you scrub the toilet then that's great. I personally would not. As for your NFL comparison, keep in mind it is much easier to accommodate one game/week than six games/week.
 

Marceline

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Yes, I am aware of the internet. I do realize it is possible to follow scores & standings, etc. However, that is much different then the drama of watching a game and sitting on the edge of your seat with every pitch. If you find it enjoyable to watch a replay of a game that already has a known outcome while you scrub the toilet then that's great. I personally would not. As for your NFL comparison, keep in mind it is much easier to accommodate one game/week than six games/week.
It may not be for you but the fact remains that there are plenty of fans in the UK and Europe and they are able to follow the sport just fine and watch many games live. So the fact that you don't enjoy following a sport when it's not in your ideal time zone really means nothing as far as whether or not this is a good idea or good for the game.

I lived in London for a little over a year and it happened to be during the 2007 season. I watched every game of the playoffs live and a handful of regular season games (a friend called me at 2am one night to let me know Buchholz was pitching a no-hitter).
 

Green Monster

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It may not be for you but the fact remains that there are plenty of fans in the UK and Europe and they are able to follow the sport just fine and watch many games live. So the fact that you don't enjoy following a sport when it's not in your ideal time zone really means nothing as far as whether or not this is a good idea or good for the game.

I lived in London for a little over a year and it happened to be during the 2007 season. I watched every game of the playoffs live and a handful of regular season games (a friend called me at 2am one night to let me know Buchholz was pitching a no-hitter).
Must have been so exciting!
 

edoug

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There maybe some disappointment that that the Yankees won't be wearing the pinstripes.
 

Reverend

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Yes, I am aware of the internet. I do realize it is possible to follow scores & standings, etc. However, that is much different then the drama of watching a game and sitting on the edge of your seat with every pitch. If you find it enjoyable to watch a replay of a game that already has a known outcome while you scrub the toilet then that's great. I personally would not. As for your NFL comparison, keep in mind it is much easier to accommodate one game/week than six games/week.
Please stop trying to tell @Spacemans Bong that he isn't enjoying baseball in the UK.

It doesn't even make any sense. It's like trying to tell someone they don't love their kids.
 

Reverend

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Never said that..... In fact, I said if he enjoys it that way then that's great
Please understand what this conversation looks like to everyone else, then...?

I mean, do you consider the kind of person who can take a hint?
 

snowmanny

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I'm told lots of people really enjoyed baseball back in the 1950's and 1960's. Seems amazing what with having to read boxscores, watch the radio and no statcasts but whatevs
 

Marceline

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Imagine having to read a box score while you scrub the toilet. Must have been a terrible time to be a fan. It's a miracle the game survived that era.
 

section15

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Mar 23, 2007
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I also received the same e-mail, not sure if it's a STH-only letter or not. If I do end up going, it won't be for "just the weekend", I'd probably spend a week or more in Britain.

Hell, the cat died. I'm now free to travel.
 

Senator Donut

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There maybe some disappointment that that the Yankees won't be wearing the pinstripes.
The Yankees wore pinstripes and batted first as the "road" team when they played the Devil Rays in Tokyo. I assume they'll do the same in London for marketing and whatnot.
 

MuzzyField

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Given the size of Fenway vs. the New Toilet, it seems the Sox have more to gain by giving up home dates.

120,000 tickets (at premium prices) for 2 games should actually give JH more revenue than he would get for two games at Fenway.

I wonder if JH and Jaguars owner Shad Khan have chatted about leveraging sports assets on both sides of the pond.
 

edoug

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The Yankees wore pinstripes and batted first as the "road" team when they played the Devil Rays in Tokyo. I assume they'll do the same in London for marketing and whatnot.
Thanks, Probably going to do it this time as well. It's a nice marketing tool for them. Hopefully the Sox do something to dominish* that appeal. Like be the defending World Champions.

* A typo but I like it. To dominate to such a degree your opponent that their popularity is diminished.
 

canderson

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Jul 16, 2005
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Been in London the past 5 days and have asked quite a few random people* in pubs about this. No one seems to remotely care about this happening, they’re much more excited about the Eagles playing here in the fall.

*hence I am an expert now
 

Wake49

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Yes
I just registered for presale of the tickets. Yankees sent me an email (season ticket holder)
What did they say about availability? I’m a Red Sox STH and when I reached out to my rep she said my best bet to get tickets is to register like everyone else. Seriously? I hope that changes because I would love to go to those games.
 

Murderer's Crow

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Yes


What did they say about availability? I’m a Red Sox STH and when I reached out to my rep she said my best bet to get tickets is to register like everyone else. Seriously? I hope that changes because I would love to go to those games.
Nothing, and I've been too lazy to call my rep like you did. Next time he calls me to try to upsell, I'll bring it up. I'll offer to buy better tickets and see if that moves the needle at all.
 

Wake49

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Nothing, and I've been too lazy to call my rep like you did. Next time he calls me to try to upsell, I'll bring it up. I'll offer to buy better tickets and see if that moves the needle at all.
Gotcha. She did say I could try to buy a Red Sox Destinatons package to try to increase my chances. Um, no thanks. From what I can tell, those packages are designed for the lazy and/or for people with a lot of money.
 

section15

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Gotcha. She did say I could try to buy a Red Sox Destinatons package to try to increase my chances. Um, no thanks. From what I can tell, those packages are designed for the lazy and/or for people with a lot of money.
I think I commented on this, in another thread on this board - certainly that's true - the packages are high-priced. For example, they wanted, I think, $800-900 a person for the Montreal trip, transportation to Montreal not included. Oh, yeah you don't get the player meet'n'greet, nor the souvenir bag, nor the exclusive tour of Olympic Stadium.

I explained to someone, I'll get the bag at the Christmas at Fenway "Yard Sale". The player meet-n-greet? Go to a BoSox Club luncheon or charity event. The tour of Olympic Stadium would be as exciting as a tour in the Government Center garage, and not too much different. And transportation to-from the hotel to Olympic Stadium? Ride the Metro. And my wife and I saved $1000 or so. And we stayed at a better hotel.

"Bundling" is a recent, 2000s-2010s marketing tactic - they roll it all together, you pay one price and don't spend time on the phone or 'net looking up airfares, hotels, etc. but you can put together your own tour for less money, in most cases.
 

Wake49

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Agreed. Back in 2000 a friend and I took a baseball trip to Chicago and Milwaukee. Jay Buckley was offering a similar tour but we quickly realized we could do it for a lot less.
 

Hendu for Kutch

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I've seen the Sox play road games in 29 different places, and always laugh at how outrageous those destination package prices are. You can usually get 90% of what they offer for 1/3 the price if you look around.

A guy I'm working for over in the UK runs a baseball facility over there and has a lot of UK baseball connections. He's getting the company to bring me over for some meetings that week (reason TBD) and he's already got access to tickets. Now I just have to last the next year with this company.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
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Yes


What did they say about availability? I’m a Red Sox STH and when I reached out to my rep she said my best bet to get tickets is to register like everyone else. Seriously? I hope that changes because I would love to go to those games.
Yeah, Red Sox are probably going to try and backdoor the tickets through Stubhub UK. They're doing some of that this year if they don't expect a large walkup (which is 90% of games)
 

Wake49

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FWIW, I would likely only need one ticket for each game. Just thought I’d throw that out there.
 

Ale Xander

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Schedule makers went easy on the teams. We fly to Toronto from London, NYY to Shea. With an offday after and 2 before the series.
 

Ale Xander

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Am I reading this correctly, section 025, 020, 047, 052, i.e. OF pole seats are 270 quid? HAHAHAHAHAHA
 

Wake49

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It’s bullshit to me that they have a presale for both Red Sox and MFY season ticket holders at the same time. If anything, the Sox should go first, then have the MFY go the next day.

Been almost an hour and I STILL can’t get in to select tickets.
 

Murderer's Crow

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It’s bullshit to me that they have a presale for both Red Sox and MFY season ticket holders at the same time. If anything, the Sox should go first, then have the MFY go the next day.

Been almost an hour and I STILL can’t get in to select tickets.
The entitlement is real.
 

Ale Xander

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Oct 31, 2013
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It’s bullshit to me that they have a presale for both Red Sox and MFY season ticket holders at the same time. If anything, the Sox should go first, then have the MFY go the next day.

Been almost an hour and I STILL can’t get in to select tickets.
this is full season only I presume?
 

Snedds

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MLB, to put it mildly, taking the fucking piss with these ticket prices:



For reference:

£30 = $40
£80 = $100
£145 = $185
£320 = $410
Yeah, I was really looking forward to heading up to London for these games, but not sure I can justify it now on these prices.
 

Jim Ed Rice in HOF

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this is full season only I presume?
Yes.

For shits and giggles I logged on around 9:15 with the special code and 2 tickets for both games in the Pesky Pole equivalent section 20 shown above was going to be somewhere in the $1,450 range depending on what conversion rate you use. Holy crap.
 

Spacemans Bong

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Yeah, I was really looking forward to heading up to London for these games, but not sure I can justify it now on these prices.
If I can get a ticket in the £45 section or the £60 section at a stretch then I'll go, but not a penny more. Not only is it expensive but out of the 55,000 seats, I'd say about 35,000 are legitimately the worst seats in baseball, worse than any individual MLB stadium's seats (barring tarped-off sections like Mount Davis). Section 201 is facing the left field foul pole, is miles from the diamond, and you're looking at £145-220 for a ticket there.
 

jungleboy

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Mar 1, 2016
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Yeah, I was really looking forward to heading up to London for these games, but not sure I can justify it now on these prices.
The prices are definitely higher than I'd hoped for, but I'm probably still going to get tickets. Looking at the lowest four tiers, what do people think represents the best value? I was thinking Cat 8 / 60 pounds.
 

Ale Xander

Hamilton
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Oct 31, 2013
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Category 8 bleachers close to center field seems like the best value to me. You probably aren't much farther away, if at all, than if you were top of the CF bleachers at Fenway.
Why would anyone travel across the pond to see them in those seats though? If you live in London or maybe even UK somewhere, I can see it though.
 

Hendu for Kutch

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Why would anyone travel across the pond to see them in those seats though? If you live in London or maybe even UK somewhere, I can see it though.
For me personally, I've been working on a bucket list item of seeing the Sox play in every city they visit for the past 18 years. I've got 27 under my belt, including a couple that no longer host games - Cooperstown and Montreal. It always bummed me out that due to circumstances I couldn't get to Tokyo and that the Annapolis game was Naval personnel only. So I'll almost definitely be going to London, for the experience more than anything.

Category 6 feels like the sweet spot for me. Seats may not be much different than normal bleacher seats, and prices are expensive but not absurdly so. If I'm going to spend to fly and stay over there, no sense in cheaping out on seats over $50 or so. Category 8 looks like a good option if I decide to go to both games.
 

The Talented Allen Ripley

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Why would anyone travel across the pond to see them in those seats though? If you live in London or maybe even UK somewhere, I can see it though.
I think they're catering more to the latter than the former. The NFL doesn't play in London to provide a cool place for Stateside fans to travel to see their team play, it's to grow the sport in Europe.