Aydın Tiryaki (2026)

The greatest paradox of modern football is the thousands of fans struggling to find tickets due to rigid quotas, while host stands remain half-empty. This issue persists not only in local leagues but also in international tournaments like the UEFA European Championship or high-profile matches between global giants. The solution lies in the “Candidate Spectator” system, which treats the stadium not as a static cage of quotas, but as a dynamic marketplace.

1. The “Right to Watch” and Usage Priority

In the proposed model, the host side’s priority is a recognized right, but it is not an “infinite or idle” one. In a match such as Italy vs. Spain, if Italian fans do not fill their designated stands, leaving those seats empty is a disservice to the brand value of football. If the host fans do not exercise their right to purchase within a specified timeframe, those seats must be opened to “Candidate Spectators”—the opposing fans who are eager to fill the stadium and pay for the experience.

2. A Universal Necessity: International Examples

This reality is most evident in matches involving the Turkish national team or clubs in countries like Germany and the Netherlands, where there is a dense population of Turkish citizens. It is also seen in neutral or away matches between major football nations. If one side demonstrates a significantly higher demand and passion for the game, the stadium must adapt to accommodate that demand rather than remaining silent.

• Competitive Attendance: This system also acts as a motivator for host fans. Knowing that their stands could be “conquered” by the opposition, they will be encouraged to organize and secure their seats more quickly. If they do not, the filling of the stadium remains a necessity for the soul and economy of the sport.

3. Dynamic Block Management and the “Point of No Return”

The technical operation of the system relies on a time-based mechanism integrated into digital ticketing infrastructures:

• The Threshold (e.g., 24–36 Hours Before Kick-off): Host fans have a priority window to fill their blocks until a specific deadline.
• Activation of Candidate Spectators: Once the deadline passes, all unsold blocks are automatically assigned to the “Candidate Spectator” list of opposing fans. Beyond this point, the host priority expires, and the seats go to those who truly intend to fill them.

4. Win-Win: Economic, Social, and Sporting Efficiency

This model treats the stadium as a public resource and aims for 100% occupancy:

• Maximum Revenue: Clubs and federations are protected from the financial loss of empty seats. Ticket revenues are always maximized.
• Visual Quality and Atmosphere: Instead of empty concrete stands on television, global audiences witness a vibrant, sold-out atmosphere, regardless of which side the fans support.
• Player Motivation: For professional athletes, the atmosphere created by 70,000 people (even if they are opposing fans) is far more stimulating than the silence of 5,000.

Conclusion

Football is a living organization only as long as there are spectators in the stands. The mindset of “I won’t fill it, so no one else should” is an inefficient approach that has no place in modern sports management. The Dynamic Quota Model opens the gates of stadiums to all citizens who truly want to watch the game, strengthening the football economy and transforming stadium atmospheres into a universal celebration.

Aydın Tiryaki
Ankara, January 17, 2026

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A Note on Methods and Tools: All observations, ideas, and solution proposals in this study are the author’s own. AI was utilized as an information source for researching and compiling relevant topics strictly based on the author’s inquiries, requests, and directions; additionally, it provided writing assistance during the drafting process. (The research-based compilation and English writing process of this text were supported by AI as a specialized assistant.)