The ticket sales website for AS Roma faced significant issues this week as the demand for tickets to the upcoming Europa League match against Athletic Bilbao surged beyond expectations. Fans flocked to the official site, only to be met with frustrating technical errors, including '503 service temporarily unavailable' and '502 bad gateway' messages, leaving thousands of supporters unable to purchase the highly sought-after tickets.
This online frenzy kicked off on Wednesday, February 26, when sales opened for subscribers to the Europa League match. The excitement had been mounting over recent weeks as AS Roma's performance improved under the guidance of new manager Claudio Ranieri, who has helped the team move from struggling to competing for European placements. By Monday, over 27,000 tickets had already been sold during the preliminary sales phase for league subscribers, showing just how much interest there was for the next match.
Although the initial ticket sales went smoothly, the second phase intended for Europa League subscribers faced significant challenges. Reports quickly surfaced indicating the website was overwhelmed with traffic, unable to support the torrent of requests from fans eager to secure their seats. Social media channels buzzed with complaints from supporters, many expressing their frustration at missing out on what is seen as one of the most pivotal matches of the season.
"The Roma website is down, the sales could not be completed due to high traffic leading to technical malfunctions," stated one source, clearly showcasing the technical woes faced by the club as they attempted to cater to their devoted following.
The rescheduled kick-off for the Olympico clash against Athletic Bilbao is set for Thursday, March 6 at 21:00, with the return match scheduled for March 13 at San Mames, where fans will be traveling from Rome for the fixture. This heightened interest is not just about the match; it's emblematic of the renewed enthusiasm surrounding the club, as fans once again show their passion for AS Roma.
Ranieri has rallied the supporters with commendable remarks following their recent winning streak, stating, “The fans have pressured the team to give 100%, and their enthusiasm is proof of how much they want to see the club succeed.” The outpouring of support signifies the essence of football culture, where the community rallies behind its team, especially during trying moments.
The site is set to restart ticket sales soon, but with the volume of interested fans and technical difficulties already on display, it remains uncertain whether the upcoming open sales scheduled for Friday, February 28, will proceed as planned. Awareness surrounding these challenges could lead to other measures being implemented, possibly adding extra resources to manage the expected spike in traffic.
Reflecting on the club’s struggles and triumphs, this Europa League fixture against Bilbao holds much significance. Not only does it draw fans together, but it also symbolizes hope and resilience following earlier difficulties. With the team poised for success, supporters are excited about the chance to watch their club earn back its place among Europe’s elite.
Ticket demand has become so intense, there is already additional travel being arranged, including chartered flights connecting Rome and Bilbao to aid fans eager to witness the match. This exemplifies the determination of AS Roma followers, ready to support their team through manifested dedication, even if ticket purchasing is wrapped up with challenges.
With hope, the technical issues will resolve quickly, allowing fans to enjoy what promises to be an unforgettable Europa League showdown, marking another notch in the ever-evolving narrative of AS Roma.