Stade Rennais FC fans queued all night in the rain on Friday, for the chance to buy tickets to watch their team face Arsenal next week.
Rennes received 90,000 requests for the final 8,000 tickets available for the club’s clash with Arsenal next Thursday. As a result, they decided to sell the tickets on a first come, first served basis on Saturday morning.
Supporters of the club knew they’d have heavy competition if they turned up late, so most of them travelled to the ground as soon as the announcement was made to camp outside the ticket office. On Friday night, in the rain, they chanted songs as they waited:
Rennes fans queuing outside the Roazhon Park last night for tickets for Thursday’s clash with Arsenal – ticket office opened at 10am local time this morning. pic.twitter.com/BVOHZXv8vl
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 2, 2019
Then, on Saturday morning, a couple of hours before the ticket office opened at 10am, they were up performing the well-known Icelandic clap.
Unbelievable energy from the Rennes all-nighters fans at 8am local time this morning – the club has never been this far in Europe in its history. pic.twitter.com/ODJJEgsFwz
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 2, 2019
It’s clear to see they believed the wait was worth it, with fans unable to hide the smiles on their faces after successfully getting a ticket.
A delighted Quentin smiles with his ticket for Rennes vs Arsenal aloft after arriving to queue on Friday afternoon and camping the night. pic.twitter.com/FZAnE6dtBp
— Get French Football News (@GFFN) March 2, 2019
Roazhon Park holds 29,778 fans, but their record attendance is 29,490, for a match against Marseille in 2005. It’s very possible this match will break that record.
Meanwhile, the 1,600 Arsenal tickets for the game have sold out, with the club offering coaches from the Emirates Stadium to the game and back to help with transport. Hopefully, it’ll be a fantastic occasion for everyone involved, with the Gunners coming out on top!