Blackpool's Stadium Hotel: Where Football Fans are Forced to Watch from Behind Closed Curtains
When booking a "Superior Room with Pitch View" at the Blackpool Football Club Stadium hotel, fans can expect an immersive experience - except for one crucial detail. Due to the English Football League (EFL) rules and regulations, bedroom curtains must be kept drawn throughout a match. Failure to comply may result in a £2,500 fine.
This quirk raises an interesting question about the relationship between football fans, hotel rooms, and stadium seats. For those who book a room with a view of the pitch, the experience is often exhilarating - hearing the roar of the crowd, watching the players on the field, and feeling part of the match-day atmosphere. However, for Blackpool FC supporters staying at this hotel during games, that experience is severely limited.
In an interview, Michael Butler, a Guardian reporter who experienced this phenomenon firsthand, noted that while the hotel room offered amenities like free WiFi, it lacked one essential feature - the view of the pitch. Despite being just feet away from the stadium, Butler found himself pulling heavy curtains to block out the sunlight and sounds of the game.
"I had a bit of initial excitement in the second half – was that a penalty? It sounded like one!" Butler wrote. However, as the match wore on, he began to feel disconnected from the action unfolding before him. The absence of a clear view of the pitch made it difficult to fully engage with the game, much like sitting in a darkened room without the excitement of a live event.
Butler's experience highlights an issue that has been debated for years - the blanket ban on alcohol consumption within view of the pitch. The 1985 Sporting Events Act prohibits the intake of booze at Premier League and Football League matches, citing safety concerns. However, with calls to reform this legislation, some argue it is disproportionate, especially in low-risk matches.
For now, fans staying at Blackpool's Stadium Hotel will have to rely on alternative means of entertainment - like watching Escape to the Country on TV or listening to radio updates. As Butler noted, "All bad jokes aside, this does feel avoidable for all concerned." The hotel could make some adjustments, such as allowing guests to bring their own booze into rooms or providing access to hospitality areas with views.
Ultimately, the experience of Blackpool's Stadium Hotel serves as a reminder that even in modern times, sometimes the rules can be frustratingly outdated. While fans may not get to enjoy the full stadium experience from the comfort of their hotel room, they should at least have the option to indulge in some pre-match drinks - or a nice dark place to lay their head after the match.
When booking a "Superior Room with Pitch View" at the Blackpool Football Club Stadium hotel, fans can expect an immersive experience - except for one crucial detail. Due to the English Football League (EFL) rules and regulations, bedroom curtains must be kept drawn throughout a match. Failure to comply may result in a £2,500 fine.
This quirk raises an interesting question about the relationship between football fans, hotel rooms, and stadium seats. For those who book a room with a view of the pitch, the experience is often exhilarating - hearing the roar of the crowd, watching the players on the field, and feeling part of the match-day atmosphere. However, for Blackpool FC supporters staying at this hotel during games, that experience is severely limited.
In an interview, Michael Butler, a Guardian reporter who experienced this phenomenon firsthand, noted that while the hotel room offered amenities like free WiFi, it lacked one essential feature - the view of the pitch. Despite being just feet away from the stadium, Butler found himself pulling heavy curtains to block out the sunlight and sounds of the game.
"I had a bit of initial excitement in the second half – was that a penalty? It sounded like one!" Butler wrote. However, as the match wore on, he began to feel disconnected from the action unfolding before him. The absence of a clear view of the pitch made it difficult to fully engage with the game, much like sitting in a darkened room without the excitement of a live event.
Butler's experience highlights an issue that has been debated for years - the blanket ban on alcohol consumption within view of the pitch. The 1985 Sporting Events Act prohibits the intake of booze at Premier League and Football League matches, citing safety concerns. However, with calls to reform this legislation, some argue it is disproportionate, especially in low-risk matches.
For now, fans staying at Blackpool's Stadium Hotel will have to rely on alternative means of entertainment - like watching Escape to the Country on TV or listening to radio updates. As Butler noted, "All bad jokes aside, this does feel avoidable for all concerned." The hotel could make some adjustments, such as allowing guests to bring their own booze into rooms or providing access to hospitality areas with views.
Ultimately, the experience of Blackpool's Stadium Hotel serves as a reminder that even in modern times, sometimes the rules can be frustratingly outdated. While fans may not get to enjoy the full stadium experience from the comfort of their hotel room, they should at least have the option to indulge in some pre-match drinks - or a nice dark place to lay their head after the match.
It's not like they're gonna let you in on the field or anything 
. And £2,500 is just crazy for a hotel room fine. i mean, what other service are you getting that's worth that much? 
. maybe blackpool fc should just lift those rules or make it optional for guests who wanna have a proper match-day experience. That way everyone can enjoy the game to their heart's content! 
️ #HotelRoomShenanigans #FootballFansUnite
i mean i get safety first but £2500 fine just for looking out the window? that's ridiculous! its not like fans are gonna be cheering on their team while drinking a pint in their hotel room. it feels like they're missing out on the whole experience. hotels should be able to offer some kind of compromise, maybe a private balcony or something. and what about those who just wanna chill after the match? do they have to stay up all night with no booze? its time for some rule changes 
i mean, its like they're literally taking away half the fun of watching a game from the fans who are right there at the stadium! and yeah, £2k50 is a pretty steep fine for not drawing your curtains... it feels like they're being super strict about it. maybe hotels could offer some kind of package deal where you get a hospitality area with a view? that way fans can still feel part of the game without having to block out the sunlight and noise.
it's not even like they're trying to prevent people from drinking, just that booze isn't allowed at the stadium. seems kinda unfair on fans who want to get into the game a bit better. hotel rooms should be more than just a place to crash, you know? especially when you're shelling out top dollar for a "pitch view" room. 
. And what's with all these rules, anyway? Can't we just have a normal experience without having to pull curtains everywhere? 
I mean, I've stayed in some hotels before and had the best view of the pitch, but I could still get the pre-match buzz on social media 
I mean, who needs to book a room with a pitch view if you can't even watch the game properly?!? It's like they're trying to make it impossible for fans to fully enjoy the experience. And £2,500 fine for keeping curtains drawn?!? That's just crazy talk! 
Being able to watch the game from your own room, even if it's just through a tiny window, is basically impossible now 
. Can't they just relax the rules already? It's 2025, after all! 