Hotel guest criticises pitch view curtain rule during football matches

A football fan has criticised what he described as a baffling policy after being told to close his curtains during a live match, despite booking a hotel room specifically to watch the game from his window.

Darren Dowling, from Glasgow, paid £130 for a night at the Blackpool FC Hotel, attracted by the promise of a room overlooking the pitch at Bloomfield Road. Dowling said the pitch view was the main reason for his booking, allowing him to enjoy the matchday atmosphere without entering the stadium.

However, shortly before kick off, Dowling said he was informed by hotel staff that he would not be allowed to watch the game from his room and would be required to close the curtains for the duration of the match. The explanation given, he said, was linked to broadcasting and ticketing rules, though he questioned how such restrictions could reasonably apply to a private hotel room.

Dowling described the policy as absurd and called for it to be scrapped, arguing that the hotel actively markets pitch view rooms as a unique experience. He said being denied the ability to watch the match undermined the very product he had paid for and left him feeling misled.

The incident has sparked wider debate among football fans and hospitality observers about the intersection of commercial rights, broadcasting agreements and customer expectations. Stadium hotels have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering guests a novel way to experience live sport without attending in person.

Hotels attached to football grounds often promote views of the pitch as a premium feature, particularly during matchdays. Guests typically assume that such views include the ability to see games in progress, especially when no explicit restrictions are highlighted at the time of booking.

Industry experts say policies like closed curtains during matches are often driven by concerns over unauthorised viewing that could conflict with ticket sales or broadcast contracts. Football clubs generate significant revenue from matchday attendance and media rights, and any perceived loophole is treated cautiously.

However, consumer advocates argue that if restrictions apply, they should be clearly stated upfront. Transparency, they say, is essential to avoid disputes and protect trust between customers and businesses. Failing to make such rules explicit risks damaging a club’s reputation as much as any potential loss of revenue.

The hotel has not publicly commented in detail on the specific case but has previously indicated that matchday procedures are designed to comply with contractual obligations linked to live fixtures. Staff are understood to enforce the policy selectively during competitive matches rather than at all times.

For Dowling, the issue is less about the technicalities and more about common sense. He said that watching a match silently from a hotel window is hardly comparable to entering the stadium or accessing a broadcast feed, and that the policy risks alienating fans rather than protecting the club.

The episode highlights how football’s commercial landscape continues to shape even peripheral fan experiences. As clubs diversify revenue streams through hotels, tours and entertainment offerings, balancing commercial protection with customer satisfaction becomes increasingly complex.

With stadium hotels now part of the matchday ecosystem, incidents like this raise questions about whether existing rules are fit for purpose. For many supporters, the appeal lies in immersion and atmosphere, not circumventing ticketing systems.

As football clubs look to monetise every aspect of their venues, clearer communication may be the simplest solution. Until then, fans booking pitch view rooms may want to check the small print, even if it seems counterintuitive that a view is something you are not allowed to use.