The 2024 Airtel Top 8 ultimate between FCB Nyasa Big Bullets and Silver Strikers at Bingu National Stadium (BNS) in Lilongwe on Saturday not solely offered a powerful soccer present however broke the home soccer gate income document, grossing K116,454, 500.

The gross income has surpassed the K88.2 million which was realised in the course of the 2024 FDH Bank round-of-16 match performed at Kamuzu Stadium in July this yr.

On prime of that, Kamuzu Stadium capability was lowered to fifteen,000 whereas BNS can accommodate over 40,000 spectators.

An advance ticket was promoting at K5,000 whereas on match day, it was going at K7,000.

The VIP ticket was going at K20,000 whereas the company field was promoting at K30,000.

The stadium was virtually full to capability.

This yr’s gate income document signifies improved gate administration system in home soccer.

For the primary time within the competitors, Football Association of Malawi (Fam), together with sponsors Airtel Malawi, applied e-ticketing for all Top 8 matches the place 60 p.c of gross sales from the matches have emanated from e-ticketing by way of Airtel Money.

In addition, the fan engagement technique has contributed to improved gate income.

The two groups pocketed K23.5 million every as a part of their 25 p.c lower whereas floor homeowners additionally received the identical quantity. This means Bullets are the most important winners from the match after getting K53.5 million, having pocketed K30 million as prize cash.

Silver have obtained K33.5 million from the match, having pocketed K10 million as runners-up.

Bullets Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Albert Chigoga expressed satisfaction with the gate income.

“It is a huge step in the right direction. We would like to see the status quo sustained for a very long time,” Chigoga stated.

On his half, Silver CEO Patrick Chimimba stated the income was a real reflection of the turnout.

“We commend Fam and teams for aggressive marketing employed. The hype created motivated more fans to watch the match,” he stated.

Fam received K18.8 million as a part of its 20 p.c lower whereas Malawi National Council of Sports pocketed K4 million.

The affiliation’s president Fleetwood Haiya stated he was additionally pleased with the record-breaking income.

“The revenue gives us reason to believe that we are on a good trajectory. Our resolve is to keep improving our gate management systems to give teams enough resources,” Haiya stated.

Bullets gained a document third Airtel Top 8 title after beating Silver 1-0, because of Ernest Petro’s aim.

Meanwhile, some individuals had been arrested for promoting tickets on match day.