Soap and WiFi But No Football: The Curious Case of Blackpool's Stadium Hotel
Michael Butler gazes across the Bloomfield Road pitch before the game commences, capturing a moment of anticipation that hotel guests will strangely miss. It seems perfectly logical that anyone reserving a Superior Room with Pitch View at the Blackpool Football Club Stadium Hotel, situated within the iconic Bloomfield Road Stadium, would anticipate watching the action unfold. Yet, in a peculiar twist, this expectation is dashed precisely when Blackpool are playing, thanks to a small but crucial piece of fine print.
The EFL's Curtain Rule: A £2,500 Fine for Daylight
During matches, guests must keep their bedroom curtains drawn to comply with English Football League (EFL) rules and regulations. Failure to adhere could result in a hefty £2,500 penalty. This regulation transforms what should be a premium experience into a darkened retreat, leaving visitors in a literal blackout as the game proceeds outside.
Across fourteen years of journalism, there have been moments when retreating to a dark room seemed appealing after a demanding shift. Little did I imagine this could become an actual assignment. Venturing to Blackpool to explore this unique 3pm blackout, I found myself, just before kick-off between Blackpool and their League One relegation rivals Northampton, pulling a substantial curtain across a panoramic window. This window not only overlooks the Bloomfield Road pitch but also offers a glimpse of the famous Blackpool Tower in the distance. With that action, my daylight vanished for the day.
Listening to the Game: A Soundscape Without Sight
Somewhat ironically, beyond the sealed window, the sounds of fans arriving and taking their seats fill the air. An electric atmosphere builds, and seated on the bed, I can only imagine the spectacle. Dreaming of watching Blackpool and Northern Ireland goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell launch a long ball into the winter sky, I hear the whistle for kick-off. Soon after, cheers erupt as fans celebrate an early goal, likely for the home side.
It is not entirely without perks. The hotel room boasts free WiFi, allowing me to identify the scorer: Blackpool's Zac Ashworth. Further updates from local radio are sparse, but listening through the curtain and glass provides an informative, albeit subjective, synopsis of the referee's first-half performance, which apparently leaves room for improvement. The brief taunt from Northampton fans chanting how shit must you be? It's only 1-0 brings a smile, a rare highlight in this obscured experience.
One advantage over the crowd is the private en-suite bathroom, which, while lacking a pitch view, offers a selection of complimentary soaps. In this odd contest, the hotel guest scores one, while the pitch-viewing supporter remains at nil.
The Second Half: Novelty Wears Thin
The first half passes relatively quietly, punctuated only by occasional roars. Half-time becomes an audible delight, with raffle winners and birthday messages for fans announced over the stadium tannoy, providing a fleeting connection to the event.
After some initial excitement in the second half—was that a penalty? It certainly sounded like one—the novelty of sitting in a windowless room begins to fade. With thirty minutes remaining, I check the corridor, hoping to sneak into the actual hospitality area, but no convenient laundry basket is available for such a scheme. Returning to the room, it dawns on me that this assignment is less about high-octane sports journalism and more an experiment on the human condition. Perhaps purchasing a ticket downstairs would be simpler, but commitment to the task prevails.
Radio updates, a kettle with teabags in the wardrobe, and Escape to the Country starting on BBC Two on the generously sized TV offer some diversion. It provides a glimpse into the life of VAR officials at Stockley Park, albeit in a more confined setting.
Root Causes: Tickets, Alcohol, and Outdated Laws
Setting aside humour, this situation feels avoidable. Two primary reasons underpin this absurd scenario. First, EFL rules stipulate that anyone in view of the pitch must hold a ticket. It is unfortunate that neither Blackpool nor the Radisson hotel has considered selling a matchday ticket alongside the hotel room, a seemingly straightforward solution.
The larger issue likely revolves around alcohol. The Sporting Events Act 1985 prohibits alcohol consumption within view of the pitch in the Premier League, Football League, and National League. Although the minibar has been removed, Blackpool have opted for a blanket approach, fearing guests might bypass the rule by bringing their own drinks. This decision effectively discards a potential compromise.
Other Radisson hotels within football stadiums, such as at Bolton Wanderers, offer matchday packages with stewards checking guests for alcohol as they would regular supporters. Clearly, this is not the practice in Blackpool, highlighting a missed opportunity for a more integrated experience.
Calls for Reform: Modernising Football's Alcohol Laws
Recently, there have been growing calls to reform the 40-year-old alcohol legislation surrounding football, originally drafted in the 1980s amid widespread hooliganism. Labour MP Luke Charters has advocated for a trial period, an idea supported by the Football Supporters' Association. While any law change rests with the government, the EFL has expressed openness to discussions about permitting alcohol within view of the pitch and participating in pilot schemes aimed at lifting these restrictions.
Many view the blanket ban as disproportionate, especially for low-risk matches where supporters might expect treatment similar to other sports events or leisure activities. Until these regulations are amended, or Blackpool's hotel devises a workaround, the curtains will remain drawn, preserving this unique, if frustrating, matchday tradition.
Reflecting on the experience, even with Blackpool's 2-0 victory, the trip feels akin to a defeat. Thankfully, there is a nice, dark room to retreat to, echoing former Sunderland manager David Moyes' post-defeat preference for a darkened space. In Blackpool, this becomes a reality for hotel guests, blending football hospitality with an unexpected twist of seclusion.
