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The Challenge Cup has a place but its also a failed opportunity for a lower league competition to be done better. Generally clubs within this comp are out of the LC & SC early doors so its great it provides a platform for those clubs and fans to maybe win a trophy, something they would otherwise miss out on. Where it could be better utilised is by having group stages similar to LC - afterall we are in mid Aug, all but 1 team outwith the Premiership are out of the LC , which is common most seasons. Therefore have the CC with some additions from HL & LL plus the colts but excluding the teams from elsewhere with groups and keep it regional and give the fans some games on midweeks and LC wknds for the next month or so while we still have good weather. This gives the opportunity for more game time, teams to gel and also a bit of squad rotation which can only aid youth development.

Difference being of course that when you go to the theatre, concert or similar for entertainment you know what you're going to get and you know who's playing, you can check reviews and so on. Fact is as well that virtually nobody goes go big concerts or events every single week. Of course for home games that's mitigated by a season ticket (probably makes it about £14 a game at the cheapest). If football is an entertainment industry as you describe then that has to justify the cost and it has to be, well, entertaining (and I don't mean always winning). It very often is not. In my opinion, given the 'match day experience' and entertainment on show there's no justification for any Championship game to cost over £20 for an adult.