How to open a football viewing centre 

Toyin Komolafe

When it comes to small scale business in Nigeria, there are lots of business opportunities. You know the best way to make money is to solve a problem or meet a need. There are lots of needs one can meet in this country in order to make money.

This week we will be talking about starting a football viewing centre. Football is one game that is loved by everyone around the world irrespective of sex, age or race. That is why it has been referred to as a universal game. Saying that Nigerians love soccer is like stating the obvious! They will go to any length to support their favourite club from the local to the international. We have the Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, Real Madrid and so on. As much as we like football, a large percentage of Nigerians cannot still afford the luxury of watching this sport in the comfort of their homes because they cannot afford to buy cable TV or DSTV.

This therefore provides yet another avenue for you to make money.

Investing in a football viewing centre is a lucrative business. The market is a large one, there are many football leagues showing yearly from the English Premiership League, French league, European Champions League, UEFA Cup, Spanish La liga etc.

If you are still wondering how you can generate a reasonable income through this, let us do a quick calculation. If you owe a 100 capacity viewing centre and you charge customers N50 per match, at the end of each match (which is 105minutes) you will have made N5, 000! Imagine you running about three four matches a day, doesn’t that look like a good bargain?

To start with you will need to do a survey of the area you plan to set up the viewing centre – Is it well populated? Is it close to higher institutions, what is the population of young people in that environ?  Are there other viewing centres in that area? Be sure that your chosen location can accommodate many of your customers and still have space for expansion. Have a hundred people in mind for a start.

Items required to start

Two big flat screen Television set with high resolution

A printed ticket or coupons to identify customers

Get Cable or DSTV (dual view) –so that you can show two different matches at the same time.

An electric generator set – in case of power outage

One or two industrial standing fan (depending on the size of the centre)

Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS) – when there is a power outage, your customers will not miss a moment of the match before you turn on the generator.

Plastic chairs or Sitting benches – benches are more durable.

Speaker (s)

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Electric Power Stabilizer

Extension sockets, bulbs, cables etc.

Air freshener

You can also generate additional income by providing light refreshments or drinks.

You can invite a beverage company to come brand the place for you. In most cases, they give 1 or 2 refrigerators to sell only their brands.

Sports betting

Sports betting is another means to generate additional income, have you heard of Nairabet and the likes of other sports betting company? This is a sure proof that football betting and viewing business is a very lucrative business to venture into.

Five Management Tips for Running a Viewing Centre

Get a blackboard or notice board outside your football centre to write out all upcoming matches for the day.

If you have more capital and you want to make your viewing centre a top-notch, you can employ cooks to sell pepper soup, small chops, recharge card vouchers, and cold drinks. You could even sell these things yourself. If you are married, or a good cook, you could set up a pepper soup joint beside your viewing centre.

Another strategy to stay at the top of your game is by offering bonanzas or produce T-shirts with the name of your viewing centres printed on it. Be smart and creative. There’s so much money to be made in this business!

Treat your customers with respect. Customers are the backbone of every business! Be friendly to your customers. They are the sole reason you are still in business. Treat them with respect, and try to build personal relationships with them.

Most importantly, be friendly to your clients. Try to deal with them personally and with respect.

The football viewing centre is really a money spinning venture in Nigeria. Take advantage of it today.

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Note: Survey does not include cost of rent as there may have a structure on ground. Also rental fee varies from one location to the other.