Guests booking a 'Superior Room with Pitch View' at Blackpool Football Club's stadium hotel, located inside Bloomfield Road, might expect a view of the pitch. However, during matches, the hotel enforces a strict rule: curtains must remain drawn to comply with EFL regulations, or face a £2,500 fine.
A recent guest, writing for The Guardian, described the surreal experience of sitting in a darkened room while hearing the match unfold outside. The guest could hear fans' chants and celebrations, but could only follow the game via wifi updates or local radio commentary.
The regulation stems from two issues. First, EFL rules require everyone in sight of the pitch to have a match ticket. Second, the Sporting Events Act 1985 prohibits alcohol consumption within view of the pitch. The hotel removes minibars to avoid breaches, but other clubs, such as Bolton Wanderers, offer matchday packages with stewards checking for alcohol.
The guest noted that despite the inconvenience, the en-suite bathroom and complimentary soaps were a consolation. However, the experience was described as less sports journalism and more an experiment on the human condition, with the novelty wearing off after the initial excitement of hearing a goal.
Blackpool FC and the Radisson hotel group have not commented on the policy, but critics argue that selling a matchday ticket along with the room would be a simple solution to the situation.
