Question about Impact attendance

No. It's a city. Third biggest in Quebec and one of the fastest growing in Canada.

The problem of people being more interested in Euro or other foreign teams is not unique to Montreal. Same problem in NY (of course their attendance struggles also) and here in DC where we have had some really good years at the gate and some not so great. I am sure other big melting pot cities also suffer the same way...Toronto, Chicago, etc.

If they got 60K to Stade Olympique why not 20K to Saputo? Surely the experience at that outdoor stadium is much better, no?

I went to the KC game last week as I was in town on vacation. It's a nice little stadium that has accessibility most MLS teams would kill for. Short walk from Metro and as others have noted plenty of parking. And the venue itself has very good sight lines with the seats right on top of the field. The roof holds in the sound well which creates a good atmosphere even with a small-ish crowd.

But I will agree that with the exception of the immediate surroundings of the stadium there wasn't much presence elsewhere. It takes a lot of hard work, outreach to all soccer constituencies and probably some luck to get people out in numbers. The Impact have also suffered from how the schedule has been drawn. All those games so close together and on weeknights makes it tougher to sell. DC has been finding that out this season too. If your city barely (if at all) knew MLS existed before it's hard to think that the whole place will suddenly get interested.

But I plan to head back up there for United's visit at the end of August. Hopefully I will be safe in my DCU jersey.

yes i know it's a city, a large one too, but i dont think people would really enjoy having to get to laval to watch the "montreal" impact.

That reminds me of another big city in the outskirts of town, Glendale.

How about going to the fc Dallas forums and asking them about suburban stadia?

I bet it would sell out every match. Somewhere in Chomedey, near the 15/440/13/640/25.

Laval? Laval?

Now I (officially) know to disregard everything you say.

Obviously, you're in love with the Olympic stadium, the biggest failure in the city.

Or I recognise playing in laval to get better attendance is crissement drôle.

Nice stab at trying to be witty, but as we all know, anyone telling people a montreal team should play in laval is incapable of wit. What does the big o have to do with anything?

The demographics of Laval, it's proximity and access from all the Montreal boroughs make it more then ideal. Not to mention that there's something to do before and after the match for all ages. Family and business wise.

It would be my second and less expensive choice to Downtown.

Keep in mind, the land he was given at the Big O was FREE. When people give things away its cause they don't want it. It's a shame an intelligent and wealthy man made such a poor decision.

OK. I'll lay out my biases in advance, I live in Brossard and couldn't care less about Laval.
I go to a cemetery there every now and then, but otherwise its a mystery to me.


So I go check out "15/440/13/640/25" on Google maps, and I can't stop laughing.

You're saying Olympic park is not ideal? Chomedey is a joke.

Public transit access is almost non existent, you have to go to Cartier or Montmorency metro and then take a bus of 15- 20 mins. While very close for some, its a massive pain for many others. It's superior only for those who can drive.

I think you don't know the history of MLS much, starting with Columbus, there was a revolution where all the teams moved out of massive buildings into their own Soccer Specific Stadiums. The first of these were all built in far suburbs in cheap land. Columbus, Dallas, Chicago and LA are good examples, NY's Red Bull arena is marginally better. ALL of these face attendance issues because of their location.

Not to say that you are completely wrong, a group is aiming build a 10,000+ capacity ice rink in that area that the Hamilton Bulldogs will move into, obviously there are many people there. But they could just as well move to Dix30 in Brossard, or Pierrefond.

On the other hand Olympic park is receiving hundreds of millions of dollars from all 3 levels of government that are making it a "Sports and Science" hub for the province of Quebec. The new planetarium, new offices and training centres for amateur sports, and Big O upgrades combine to make it a centre for all sorts of activity.

No matter the slight geographic disadvantage as compared to downtown(where a suitable space is neigh impossible to find) the massive boost from this hub makes it one of the best locations conceivable.

In my opinion, If Saputo could get any property anywhere for free, its current location would be very high of the list. For me its no 2, behind a place somewhere south of the Bell Centre, where a $1 Billion development is currently underway.

Again your on about tax payers money. You must work for the government directly or indirectly.

Most MLS teams are not owned by Billionaires. I know your preference is spending other peoples money, but in business, you usually model yourself after successful organizations and not failed ones.

LOL @phat
you make no sense mannnnn. stop arguing stupid points.
You probably think the HABS should move to repentigny also

Cause the Habs have attendance problems? Aren't they downtown? Which I clearly stated would be the ideal location.

lollll alright this went too far

Yes, that's exactly what I did when I raised the examples of Columbus, Dallas, Chicago or LA.

For positive examples look at Kansas, Houston or Portland.

Stadia in high traffic, high accessibility areas are most conducive to high attendance. This is what has led to success elsewhere in the past.

As an urban planner who has done mock accessibility studies and transit behavior analysis in the past, I think the Olympic park is one of the best places to hold a stadium outside of downtown.

Nope, I have never worked for the government in any capacity, though I do identify as a socialist. But last time I checked I never suggested the Impact should rely on "taxpayer money".

My argument is that "taxpayer money" is going towards museums and amateur sports facilities in the same area, as as such its a great attractor for the Impact to take advantage of.

And I don't get it... you say "your preference is spending other peoples money" yet when Saputo takes advantage of cheap land in a good location to spend his OWN* money all you can do is bitch?

*yes the government financed the stadium, but since they partially own the team I see no problem.

my god, thank you.

This is a business not a community.

If you're speaking to urban planners then you're talking to the wrong people. Case in point. Look at any successful franchise and they don't have urban planners making decisions.

Modern stadiums have more then just access and traffic, actually many don't. What they have is something the BIG ZERO is missing, shopping centers, office buildings, RESTAURANTS and attractions for all ages. Not to mention the TV's . It's what drives the traffic to it... especially when theirs no matches.

Oh and by the way, the BIG ZERO's vehicle access from almost any major highway or borough is a nightmare. Also, unfortunately, the area's traffic is mostly from the surrounding low cost housing neighborhood of Hochelaga.

Yeah... Tell that to the rapidly growing amount of people kicked out of the neighborhood because of the cost...

Is there an ignore function for this (I can only assume) old, bitter, italian man?

Bitter old man? Nice one. Sounds like the " its part of our heritage" BS. I call that a "cop out".

Ask the Expos about it. What about the Alouettes?

Some people seem to be misunderstanding my comments...

I just want to emphasize that my comments are not to disrespect the Montreal Impact organization and their beautiful stadium. I think what Joey Saputo has done over the years for the club, it's fans and the city is nothing short of spectacular and greatly appreciated. The stadium and it's immediate surrounding are very impressive.

However the poor decision to have put it at the Olympic complex is unforgivable. That being said I will repeat myself by commenting that the only thing that will save the franchise in the long term will be the development of the immediate surroundings with the proper shopping centers, restaurants, office and entertainment facilities.

Basically what is missing is the corporate outing event and/or family outing event to it. When considering families or business men, the idea of heading out to a Montreal Impact game must include something to do before and after the game in the immediate vicinity to become successful. Similar to the Bell Center or any other successful franchise ANYWHERE in the world.

Loool, Montreal Impact in Laval. Laval sucks and is empty, yes its fastest growing city in Canada but most of the people I know (Chomedey) they go in Montreal. Pie IX is not a bad location at all. Its near Rive-Sud where most fans come from, lol. Not the ideal location but still a decent one.

"Most" of the time the stadium is half empty. Can't be too many fans in "Rive-Sud". So much for that post.

"Most of the people I know" don't go to Hochelaga. EVER.

I don't think you've been in hochelaga without a negative attitude for a long time, this isn't 30 years ago.


And this is super accessible. 5 mins further from bell centre from west island, close to multiple metros, busses, etc.


OBVIOUSLY downtown is ideal but it wasn't possible for a usl team, and this is second best(not chomedey laval).

Either way old man, you gotta shut up and get over it.

Can't be too many fans in "Rive-Sud". So much for that post.

Im from the south shore

I forgot I was dealing with 13 year olds.