Gate revenue hits recordK108m in two weeks

TNM Super League gate revenue has for the first time hit K108 million within the first two weeks of the season, records show.

In an interview yesterday, Super League of Malawi (Sulom) treasurer Allie Mwachande said the gate revenue for weeks one and two is at K108 054 240.00.

This is way above last season’s revenue which was at K68 million in the first two weeks.

Last season, the league’s opening match between Silver Strikers and FCB Nyasa Bullets at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe, grossed about K20 million whereas this season, the opening match between Dedza Dynamos and Bullets at Dedza Stadium raked in about K28 million.

Bullets’ second match against Mighty Tigers at Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre on Saturday grossed K18 million while in 2023, their second match against Mafco at the same venue made K14 146 480.

Bullets, who top the gate revenue earnings, have already fetched K11 million from the two matches.

The club’s chief administration officer Albert Chigoga said the rise in revenue has seen them collecting more than their monthly budget.

He said: “It is a very unprecedented jump. Actually, in two matches we have already exceeded our montly budget of K10 million. We have already made K11.6 million.”

Mwachande attributed the  increase mainly to adjusted gate charges, categorisation of the matches as well as strict gate management.

This season, Sulom has raised gate charges by at least 50 percent. The flagship league runners have  also classified games with  matches deemed as high-profile being rated A while others have been rated B and C.

A standard ticket for high-profile matches rated A is at K4 000, up from K3 000 while standard  tickets for B-rated matches are at K3 000 from K2 000 and category C standard tickets have been pegged at K2 000.

Matches involving the four top teams as per last season’s final standings, namely defending champions FCB Nyasa Bullets, runners-up Silver Strikers, third-placed Mighty Mukuru Wanderers and fourth-placed Chitipa United are rated A.

B-rated matches are those between A classified teams against those from position five to eight while C-rated matches involve those in the top eight against the rest.

Super League sponsors, TNM plc have also introduced e-ticketing to improve gate revenue management.

TNM head of brand and marketing Madalitso Jonazi said the e-ticketing will help teams collect revenue conveniently.

He said: “The first week of TNM Mpamba e-ticketing was a  success, marking a significant milestone in the TNM Super League. It simplified ticketing processes and elevated the fan experience to new heights.

“This successful debut underscores the league’s dedication to innovation and modernisation, setting a high standard for future games to follow.

“We look forward to covering more games this week, giving access to more fans to enjoy the convenience of this new solution.”

Apart from safeguarding of revenue, Jonazi said other advantages include real-time attendance tracking and prevention of fraudulent activities.