#1 ·
I was looking at my calendar last night and realized how much the "away day" culture has shifted lately. It used to be about the local pub, the train ride with the lads, and that specific feeling of invading a rival's territory for a few hours. Now, it feels like everything is becoming a massive, scheduled logistical operation.
I’ve seen more and more instances where big matches are being pushed halfway across the globe or moved to neutral sites just to maximize "reach" or whatever the marketing teams call it. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing the sport grow, but there's something about the soul of a rivalry that gets lost when you're thousands of miles away from the actual community that lives and breathes the club.
It feels less like a pilgrimage and more like a high-priced vacation package. Does anyone else feel like the "away" experience is losing its grit because of this constant expansion and international scheduling?
I’ve seen more and more instances where big matches are being pushed halfway across the globe or moved to neutral sites just to maximize "reach" or whatever the marketing teams call it. Don't get me wrong, I love seeing the sport grow, but there's something about the soul of a rivalry that gets lost when you're thousands of miles away from the actual community that lives and breathes the club.
It feels less like a pilgrimage and more like a high-priced vacation package. Does anyone else feel like the "away" experience is losing its grit because of this constant expansion and international scheduling?