Sports Attendance Trends Nationally And ISU

[Jer]

There is a lot of talk about this throughout various threads, and it’s a very interesting conversation.

I probably know a dozen people that have stopped getting season tickets in the past 2-4 years because of the time commitment, ability to tailgate in their driveway with a 70+ inch TV, getting to watch other games before/after, and don't have to deal with the traffic or crowds. These are people that have owned tickets from roughly the 90's (give or take). When you add in ever-increasing costs, asks to donate to NIL, realignment impacts to rivalries, etc – it seems like a lot of reasons for people to attend fewer games… unfortunately.

Some observations thus far this season; Florida had ~3K empty seats when they hosted Top 20 Kentucky earlier this season. Auburn had ~8-10K empty seats when hosting Penn State (somewhat understandable given their recent struggles). Washington had ~4-6K empty seats when hosting Top 15 Michigan State. I don't know if those were sold tickets that no-showed or non-sold tickets, but both impact concessions, retail, etc.

Game day is unique and awesome, but there are obvious and increasing reasons to avoid for both the younger and older fans. It's unfortunate, but you see it at programs large and small. Have you witnessed the same and/or in that group opting out? Do you see any ways to change perception or trends?

 

[JM4CY]

Beer in the stadium debate in 3…. 2….. 1…..

 

[Macloney]

We go to the game for tailgates, mascots, cheerleaders, food, drinks, people watching and to be out and about.

We stay home if we really want to watch the actual game.

 

[BryceC]

I follow this more than most people but the idea that less people are interested in attending ISU games is simply false.

We expanded to 61,500 in 2015. In 2015, 2016, and 2017 we had games of 52k attendance or less.

KSU in 2018 we had 54,430 tickets sold.

Since that game, we haven't less than 57,142 tickets sold. Since 2019 we are averaging 59,871 tickets sold for all 15 home games outside of the COVID year for an average capacity of 97.4%. We've never had such good fan support and the fans should be commended. It's not perfect but nothing is.

 

[Jer]

Beer in the stadium debate in 3…. 2….. 1…..

I think that's inevitable everywhere. Revenue stream + customer retention = no brainer.

 

[kickout]

Not having to deal with crowds and the general BS of bad fans/people is underrated IMO. Sports stadiums need to change from quantity to quality (like movie theaters past 10-15 years) to tread water. Just too many asks on people's time and money to be sustainable

 

[CloniesForLife]

As an out of Stater I like to get to 2-3 a year to enjoy the tailgating scene and for the nostalgia. Outside of going to ISU games I don't really desire to go to sporting events too much time and $.

 

[Cfinnerty16]

Perfect example are my recently retired parents. They've been season ticket holders for the past 16 years. Rising costs (ticket prices, parking passes, and donations required) were the main reason they didn't renew season tickets this year. I think they said that just between the 2 of them it will save them 1500 dollars every year. Most of the group they purchased season tickets with for the past 16 years, also didn't renew for the same reason.

Also, its a huge time commitment and your whole Saturday is basically done going to a home game.

 

[deadeyededric]

There is a lot of talk about this throughout various threads, and it’s a very interesting conversation.

I probably know a dozen people that have stopped getting season tickets in the past 2-4 years because of the time commitment, ability to tailgate in their driveway with a 70+ inch TV, getting to watch other games before/after, and don't have to deal with the traffic or crowds. These are people that have owned tickets from roughly the 90's (give or take). When you add in ever-increasing costs, asks to donate to NIL, realignment impacts to rivalries, etc – it seems like a lot of reasons for people to attend fewer games… unfortunately.

Some observations thus far this season; Florida had ~3K empty seats when they hosted Top 20 Kentucky earlier this season. Auburn had ~8-10K empty seats when hosting Penn State (somewhat understandable given their recent struggles). Washington had ~4-6K empty seats when hosting Top 15 Michigan State. I don't know if those were sold tickets that no-showed or non-sold tickets, but both impact concessions, retail, etc.

Game day is unique and awesome, but there are obvious and increasing reasons to avoid for both the younger and older fans. It's unfortunate, but you see it at programs large and small. Have you witnessed the same and/or in that group opting out? Do you see any ways to change perception or trends?

Nothing will change. TV's and camera's are awesome, tickets are expensive, and people have better things to do than waste an entire Saturday on a 3 hour game. Especially in larger cities where there are other forms of entertainment. I've noticed this in all sports the last 15-20 years. Games just aren't as big of events as they used to be.

 

[Jer]

I follow this more than most people but the idea that less people are interested in attending ISU games is simply false.

We expanded to 61,500 in 2015. In 2015, 2016, and 2017 we had games of 52k attendance or less.

KSU in 2018 we had 54,430 tickets sold.

Since that game, we haven't less than 57,142 tickets sold. Since 2019 we are averaging 59,995 tickets sold for all 14 home games outside of the COVID year for an average capacity of 97.5%. We've never had such good fan support and the fans should be commended. It's not perfect but nothing is.

I think ISU is adding enough new ticket sales to offset the loss from existing ticket sales. That doesn't seem to hold true for a lot of places though, even perennial Top 25 programs that are still Top 25 programs.

 

[CloniesForLife]

I will also add I can have really good beer and whiskey and have a great food spread while I watch on my 70" TV for a fraction of the cost and have the rest of my Fall Saturday to do stuff. Plus I can have a group of friends over to watch with. I totally get the appeal of watching at home. It's why I could never go to every single home game.

 

[Cyballz]

some of these games are brutal to sit through in person with all of the breaks

 

[kickout]

Nothing will change. TV's and camera's are awesome, tickets are expensive, and people have better things to do than waste an entire Saturday on a 3 hour game. Especially in larger cities where there are other forms of entertainment. I've noticed this in all sports the last 15-20 years. Games just aren't as big of events as they used to be.

3 hour games would be a godsend. Game time creep because of media has gotten to be a big part of problem

 

[nrg4isu]

I've increased my attendance because my kids are a few years older now and I'm in a better financial place to go to a few games. That said it's a 6 hour drive for me, so I'll never be a season ticket holder, and the novelty doesn't wear off only going to a couple games a year.

 

[CycloneDaddy]

Perfect example are my recently retired parents. They've been season ticket holders for the past 16 years. Rising costs (ticket prices, parking passes, and donations required) were the main reason they didn't renew season tickets this year. I think they said that just between the 2 of them it will save them 1000 dollars every year. Most of the group they purchased season tickets with for the past 16 years, also didn't renew for the same reason.

Also, its a huge time commitment and your whole Saturday is basically done going to a home game.

It’s $1,000 per game for my family of 4 between donation and tickets. Its the first thing cut if our financials change.

 

[Dr.bannedman]

my parents are second year season ticket holders. the last 2 times my mom has mentioned how long the games are and the tv timeouts.

 

[JP4CY]

I will go to more concerts, games, events as life permits. Covid gave me perspective in wanting to get out and see stuff live.

 

[FarminCy]

I’m much less than I was. Busy life and how long games have gotten due to breaks make it much less enjoyable. The constant 3:30 tv breaks has basically killed the flow of games.

 

[BooneCy]

Eventually, rising costs of tickets and extras catches up. When you have a sold out stadium every game, you think maybe you can raise prices to get more money. You raise prices enough and you find that spot where you don’t sell out anymore.

Personally, I think we are close to that now given the fact that we have been a few thousand shy of a sell out in our last two games.

I’m not complaining. I get why it is happening, but if the individual money isn’t there, then it isn’t there.

 

[BCClone]

Have kids at ISU. When they are finished I don’t know. It’s what my family likes to do so it’s worth it to me.