Record-breaking attendance for Champions League preliminary rounds

2009/2010 CEV Indesit Champions League

Luxembourg, January 25, 2010. The popularity and appeal of the CEV Indesit Champions League does not face any troubles even with a deep financial crisis still affecting the European soil. An amazing total of 247’368 spectators attended indeed the matches of the League Round that went off in early December to ultimately celebrate its final rush this past week. Taking into account that in the women’s division four teams are “missing” in comparison with the 2008/2009 season, such an increase (+8.2%) is even more relevant and noteworthy.
A major contribution to these stellar performances comes actually from the real European Volleyball “Mecca”, i.e. Poland, with PGE Skra BELCHATOW – whom the organization of the next final four was allotted only a few days ago – having assembled a total of 33’530 supporters for the three home matches staged at the majestic facilities of the Atlas Arena. The loyalty and passion of the Polish Volleyball fans has helped very much in boosting up the final figures for both Pool D (with a total of 50’180) and of the six preliminary groups that were set up for the men’s competition (173’253 vs. 150.433 in the previous season).
On the other hand, Universitet BELGOROD boasts the most impressive audience registered for the prelims of the women’s Champions League, with 11’600 spectators having squeezed in for the three home matches of the Russian rookie staged at the Cosmos Arena.
Mrs. Riet Ooms, President of the European Cups Commission, says: “These are very encouraging figures, well-promising especially for the Playoffs that will be coming up in early February and also for the finals. Once again, the Champions League shines out as a real key actor in fostering the promotion of Volleyball across the fans and the media. This is, however, no wonder: throughout the past few years we have consolidated our brand and with the competition starring most of the very best players in the world, we can only aim at more and more success”.