Anyone that still thinks MLS has some kind of serious attendance problem simply isn't following closely enough. Just eyballing what you see on TV you can see a drastic change in terms of people actually at the stadiums, and also their interest level in the game. It's clear as day that the situation has changed. EDIT: also MLS is in the top 10 leagues in the world in terms of attendance. Top 10 leagues. In the world. Let that sync in.
They have a small “semester pass” for students, which is a far cry from the $5 tickets they used to offer students in their USL days. https://www.newsrecord.org/news/fc-...cle_e77fd870-bd60-11e9-b1e9-8b5ee09d8ff9.html
Interesting that you are now on the side of arguing attendance doesn't match butts in the seats. Of course many teams butts in the seats doesn't match announced attendance. Something I have always maintained and even started a thread to discuss. However, I don't think the average team has "thousands" of no shows that didn't "pay a cent". Does it happen with some teams...yes. Does it happen with Portland, Seattle, LAFC, LAG, Vancouver, SKC, RSL, Montreal, Atlanta, FC Cincy, DC United, Minnesota, Philly, SJ, Toronto...don't think so. Does it happen with Chicago, Houston, Dallas, NYRB, Orlando...most likely. There are a few I would put in the not sure: Colorado, Columbus, NER, NYCFC Remember the statement was "thousands." If it had been "hundreds" I would have agreed.
Uhhhh.... what are you on about? No one denies that MLS uses tickets distributed and not turnstile counts.. we usually don’t allow it in this thread because it has, historically, resulted in non-productive arguments between factions arguing over how much of a difference exists between the two numbers, others trying to explain why there were so many no shows, or why it appears to be so many, etc. The argument happened so often we just ended up banning it. You asked how he got "thousands". I answered that question. I just didn't know about the LA Times article.
I've had a holiday change of plans and I may be in Denver for the holidays. If the secondary market is good I may have to get tickets to Lions at Broncos...because I hate myself.
Though back on topic, Chicago's $25/game for all non-club seats deal ended yesterday. I'd be interested to know what the number sold so far has been, especially compared to last year.
Almost free isn't free tho. Discounted prices isn't uncommon for teams. The idea being that if you get them in the door, they'll want to come to more games. Of course, you run the risk of people becoming used to the discounted prices and not being willing to pay for full price tickets and you could annoy people that pay full price.
Found tickets for today's game at Mile High for MLS prices. Temps in the 60s. My team (Detroit) only plays there every 8 years. Kinda hard to say no to that.
During the college bowl game the other day, they had the curtains over the upper deck. Huge "ATLANTA UNITED" advertising in lots of TV shots, almost nothing Falcons-related on the TV broadcast.
My understanding is the reason for the attendance drop in Frisco over the past couple of seasons has a lot to do with (a) higher ticket prices and (b) fewer freebies and that the "attendance has dropped but revenues are up" phenomenon is happening there as well. Color me shocked that a sports ownership group that is headed by a beancounter would do something like that.
Regardless of reason, the anemic attendance in Frisco going even lower is cause for concern. FCD was one of the first teams in the league to build a stadium, and all they preached was, "We control our own revenues now! We'll be able to invest in the team!" That, and, "All the wealthy white people live up here anyway, and there are more moving in all the time." Both of those sentiments have just frankly failed to pan out over the years. Regardless of the reason, nobody wants to go to Frisco. I'll expect something other than mediocrity out of Dallas when somebody new owns the team. Until then, I guess I'll be content with two or three good crowds a year. It is telling that the largest section of Frisco ISD Stadium's Wikipedia page is labeled "Notable Concerts." (We are currently in a two-year Jimmy Buffett drought. This is unacceptable.)
I skimmed the linked article: "almost free" was $12.50/game for the four home games in September, or $44 for all four. More like "half price for a quarter of the home games".
A quick check of the shifting demographics in Frisco indicate renovating Toyota Stadium into a Cricket Ground might be the only way to improve attendance....
The stadium atmosphere is the #1 factor for sustainability. In Seattle and Portland we draw and it's electric. On TV, Atlanta shows up amazing. The gameday atmosphere is a must for long term viability and profit. FCD started dead and have never recovered from poor attendance and experience. Every expansion city should have attendance and supporter group buy-in as the biggest factor before being added to the league.