‘Haemorrhaging money’: Wellington Phoenix to close doors to fans to stem losses

Wellington Phoenix have taken the decision to play their next home game behind closed doors to save on costs, with the club claiming they are “haemorrhaging money” after being forced to play yet another season in Australia, away from their home.

The New Zealanders announced fans won’t be allowed into Wednesday’s match against Melbourne Victory at WIN Stadium after the club was unable to attract a local sponsorship to help account for the costs of hosting the match in Wollongong, where they have called home for almost two years.

The Phoenix’s clash against Melbourne Victory will be played behind closed doors. Credit: Getty

Due to logistical issues and travel difficulties during the pandemic, the Phoenix have played just twice in New Zealand over the past two seasons and the club has now revealed the extent of the financial toll that relocation has taken. General manager David Dome told New Zealand media outlet Stuff that the club is losing significant money every time they host a match in Wollongong.

“I’ve got to be honest with you, the ticket sales for the men have been abysmal. We’re not even in the ballpark of being able to cover the costs,” Dome told Stuff. “We’re haemorrhaging money with the men’s games in Australia because, obviously, we don’t have the support base there.”

The Phoenix attracted just 568 fans to their last game at WIN Stadium, when they beat Western United on January 21, but opted to move their allocated home match against Macarthur FC last weekend to the Bulls’ home ground of Campbelltown.

Wellington are understood not to be the only club in a poor financial state as a result of the postponement of games and border closures. Australian Professional League sources informed The Herald that Perth Glory have copped losses in the millions due to their forced relocation. The Glory haven’t played at home since round one, meaning they have been on the road for two-and-a-half months.

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