Plenderleith: "DCU to set a franchise record for both season tickets sold and total ticket revenue."

[BobyOne]

Very interesting article about the total cost of going to an MLS game from Ian Plenderleith.

http://www.ussoccerplayers.com/latest_soccer_news/533352.html

Interesting tidbit about DCU in the summary at the end of the article:


D.C. United
Season: Highest - $630 (Youth $360); lowest - $270 ($144 Youth)
Single game: Highest - $45; lowest - $18 (2006 range: $40-$16)
Parking: $12-$15 (up from $10)
Season ticket sales so far: "Well ahead of last year's pace and projected to be a franchise record for both season tickets sold and total ticket revenue."
Special Promotions? Has sold cheaper tickets for certain midweek games in past as reward to season ticket holders, but has no plans to do same this year.
Beckham Mark-Up? No increase for lower bowl tickets, but no discount on group tickets.


It's definitely nice to know United will break records in ticket sales this year, but considering that the team is fun to watch and the atmosphere is best in the league, not a real surprise. What does everyone else think? Is this news to be excited about, or is it "duh, of course they will break sales records in 07"?

[GrillMaster]

[happy dance]
Happy, not necessarily excited.

GM

[nobletea]

Great article, thanks for the link.

Two things not considered when comparing the MLS approach to that of the other major leagues, is that for the most part those leagues have no competition, save for each other.

But now we live in a global-24 hour-marketplace based on high tech solutions and communications. For the same reasons that theaters are struggling to get movie goers to buy sodas, MLS is fighting the explosion of satellite, hi-def, huge screen, digital surround, in-your-home top notch soccer. For what, $20 per game?

The entertainment and by extension sports marketplace has changed. The key point in that article I think was noting that atmosphere. Atmosphere and level of drama and competition are what works, ultimately. You can make all the ticket packages you want but if you're not offering any more from a match day experience than someone can get from their home theater, some friends, and 20 bucks, you're not getting anywhere.

[DangerMouse37]

I agree, atmosphere is important. That is why the atmosphere created at RFK -- drums, chanting, bouncing -- is so important. Now when so many places have enormous plasma screens and speaker systems that would deafen Keith Moon, it makes it more important to create something different, something intangible, a sense of a happening (being at a concert vs. watching a concert).

Maybe with all the extra do-re-mi they'll buy that scarf machine they've been promising.:D

[BobyOne]

Maybe with all the extra do-re-mi they'll buy that scarf machine they've been promising.:D

More than anything, better attendance and revenue numbers will help convince the politicos that MLS is in an upswing and a Poplar Point stadium is a good idea.

[K]

The SEs are kicking ass in season tix sales this year. We topped off around 206 last season and we're closing in on 280 (new goal is 300).

K

[rocketeer22]

Actually, I think the comment about a Beckham mark-up is incorrect. As the Aug 9th game isn't part of the season ticket packages, it will have to be purchased separately. Apparently this game is being replaced by a TBD game C.

However, season ticket holders do get to purchase Aug. 9th's tickets prior to the general public.

:rolleyes:

[bluemeanies]

Actually, I think the comment about a Beckham mark-up is incorrect. As the Aug 9th game isn't part of the season ticket packages, it will have to be purchased separately. Apparently this game is being replaced by a TBD game C.

However, season ticket holders do get to purchase Aug. 9th's tickets prior to the general public.

:rolleyes:

I thought that the Beckham tiks were included in all full season tickets but not in either half plan so they aren't excluded from the season tik plans. Season tik holders get first dibs on additional tiks followed by half plan, followed by flex and then the general public.

[nobletea]

I agree, atmosphere is important. That is why the atmosphere created at RFK -- drums, chanting, bouncing -- is so important. Now when so many places have enormous plasma screens and speaker systems that would deafen Keith Moon, it makes it more important to create something different, something intangible, a sense of a happening (being at a concert vs. watching a concert).

Thanks, I was alluding to the RFK experience but neglected to directly connect my post to be on-topic.

When sports begin to stray too far from the 'event' model to the 'product' model there will be problems. Sport and other peak peformance events are absolutely dependent on the physical audience in order to 'work' as an event.

This is where DCU, by fate and design combined, is ahead of the game in MLS. Thankfully.

[JoeW]

...speaker systems that would deafen Keith Moon...

Wow--I've heard of being so loud you'd awaken the dead, but being so loud you'd make the dead deaf--that must be really loud!

Seriously though, this is impressive stuff for DC United. Here are 2 reasons no-one has touched on so far...

1. No Adu. I like Freddy, he certainly gave us a ticket bounce. But one (not the only test but certainly one) test of a serious franchise that has a base is one that sells tickets past the first year, whether you win or not, and regardless of what personnel are on the team.

2. Big stadium. So no worries of a sellout and therefore easy to wait until game day to buy a ticket and thus ticket sales lost when it rains or is abnormally hot or there is something else going on that day.

[K]

I thought that the Beckham tiks were included in all full season tickets but not in either half plan so they aren't excluded from the season tik plans. Season tik holders get first dibs on additional tiks followed by half plan, followed by flex and then the general public.

This is correct.

K

[MattMathai]

I thought that the Beckham tiks were included in all full season tickets but not in either half plan so they aren't excluded from the season tik plans. Season tik holders get first dibs on additional tiks followed by half plan, followed by flex and then the general public.

Just confirmed by DC United.

[BBBulldog]

I die a little every time I see DCU and franchise in same sentence :D

[Sundevil9]

Well, they'd hardly be 'Season Tickets' if they didn't include the whole season.


Sorry, just got out of a meeting that had a lot of wordsmithing.

[DMP73]

Very interesting article. Atmosphere is absolutely key. Not trying to kiss anyone's a$$ but the supporters groups are the biggest factor IMO in creating the kind of game day experience that can not be duplicated by a big screen HD and friends.

I say this as someone whose tickets are on the quiet side but whose kids (ages 2, 5 and 7) already know a bunch of the songs that the SE and Barra sing. When folks watch football from Europe and South America, the singing and chanting is incredible. Entire stadiums full of people singing.

Believe it or not, that's where we're headed. When my kids take their kids to United games, they'll have been singing songs with the supporters groups for decades. When that happens, United will be playing in front of generations of fans that will make the atmosphere equal to any in the world. And you really can't get that same feeling with many other American sports experiences.

This year its going to cost $66 a game for our family of 5 to get out to nine games. That's the best money we'll spend all year!

Vamos United!:D

[revelation]

I die a little every time I see DCU and franchise in same sentence

Me too...

Well, they'd hardly be 'Season Tickets' if they didn't include the whole season.

I'd seriously consider returning my season tickets if DC United were so cheap as to cut out this particular game from a full season package.

[The Cold Sea]

Very interesting article. Atmosphere is absolutely key. Not trying to kiss anyone's a$$ but the supporters groups are the biggest factor IMO in creating the kind of game day experience that can not be duplicated by a big screen HD and friends.

I say this as someone whose tickets are on the quiet side but whose kids (ages 2, 5 and 7) already know a bunch of the songs that the SE and Barra sing. When folks watch football from Europe and South America, the singing and chanting is incredible. Entire stadiums full of people singing.......

Vamos United!:D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6VAs8uZjlU

[Jegao Paraiba]

L.A. Galaxy
Season: Highest - $880; lowest - $380

Toronto FC
Season: Highest - $897 (Youth $762) lowest - $423 (Youth $237)

Very interesting.
The people of Toronto are really stepping up.

[song219]

L.A. Galaxy
Season: Highest - $880; lowest - $380

Toronto FC
Season: Highest - $897 (Youth $762) lowest - $423 (Youth $237)

Very interesting.
The people of Toronto are really stepping up.

Are the Toronto FC ticket prices in CAD?

[Lowecifer]

L.A. Galaxy
Season: Highest - $880; lowest - $380

Toronto FC
Season: Highest - $897 (Youth $762) lowest - $423 (Youth $237)

Very interesting.
The people of Toronto are really stepping up.

Are the Toronto FC ticket prices in CAD?

If so, it would be these numbers:

Toronto FC
Season: Highest - US$763 (Youth US$648) lowest - US$356 (Youth US$201)