Anyone know what the number is for a sell-out for the Thorns in the Portland stadium? Is it the same as the Timbers?
Sort of. The number of season tickets the Thorns originally offered was in the lower bowl only, and even then, not all of it. I think they targeted that base as something like 7,500-9,000 seats. That has since changed, but I'm not sure how aggressively they market that. It might be that they make more at the individual ticket price. Our season tickets were about 1/6 what they would be for a Timbers season ticket package in the same seats. The timbers, on the other hand, is largely season tickets or split season plans. There are really only a couple thousand individual tickets set aside. As a Thorns subscriber on the Timbers waiting list, I get a first crack at those about twice a season. They could sell them all as season tickets, but then the fan base would stagnate. Season tickets really drives average attendance. But yeah. I think that theoretically the maximum for either team is the same, about 21-22K. Any more than that and the rest room and concessions aren't adequate. It's an old stadium with a small concourse without much footprint left for expansion without another major remodel. One thing to consider is that the Thorns fan base has a younger component. Kids tend to roam more, so I'm not sure the experience with the thorns would be the same as with the Timbers with the same size crowd. They may be taking that into account. The stadium actually has a few thou more seats, but many are obstructed view and though the Timbers do sell a few of those as reduced rate season tickets, I don't think the Thorns do. I just conferenced with our customer service rep last week, since this was a window to change your seat arrangements for next year, but I didn't take notes.
I noticed on the Timber seating map there are 3 sections that are not shown on the Thorns seating map. So would they sell those if they sell everything that shows on their map. Right now for the Seattle game on the 22nd it looks like there are less then 100 seats are left. Assuming they don't use those sections, what would be capacity for that game?
The Thorns FO has announced that they've already sold 16,000 seats for the game and that they will likely open up the entire stadium for the game (no tarps in the upper sections), which means a theoretical maximum of 21,144 (the Timbers game day maximum this year). I'm not sure they'll reach it (it's on a Wednesday, after all), but I wouldn't be surprised if they ended up north of 18,000 at least.
I am a bit confused. Are all the sections listed on the Thorns seating map available? For example, on the upper level in the General Admission sections, are all the seats available or just lets say halfway up are available. It is hard to tell since they don't let you pick your own seating like the other sections.
I read where Paulsen is expecting a sell-out of 21,000 for the game against Seattle, which is amazing, but what makes it even more amazing, is that it is on a Wednesday. Canetti, with Houston, also went on record saying that he felt the Sunday game could draw a record high crowd of 15,000. I think the league would be better off having more MLS owners getting involved, either applying for a new team or purchasing one of the existing teams.
As a matter of interest related to who owns the Seattle stadium, if the City of Portland were to stop using Providence Park (which the Timbers/Thorns owners have the use rights to), it would revert to the Multnomah Athletic Club (unless the basic underlying documents have been amended since I last did legal work for the City of Portland).
With the expected post World Cup bump in attendance this is where everyone needs to step up. The old adage is true that you only have one chance to make a first impression and there is ample opportunity to win a lot more new fans for these clubs over the next month or so if this is handled properly. Simply from a Boston perspective I have seen too many of these opportunities wasted. A star visiting player ignoring fans who came out specifically to see them and these fans never returned(Marta & Hope Solo come to mind). I have seen a little girl crying in their mother's arms after a game because they did not have an enjoyable experience. I have seen how frustrated fans can get from disorganization regarding tickets, not knowing where to find things and when nobody is able to help them. I haven't observed these issues at every game and I doubt that these issues are unique only to Boston. With interest peaked in women's soccer at the highest level since 1999 it is extremely important that the extra effort is made to make sure the fans enjoy the game day experience by everyone: the players, front office personal and the game day staff and volunteers. This is the best opportunity to convert some of these interested people into fans of these clubs. Even if they don't become fans of the club it is important that they don't leave with a sour experience. With season ticket sales likely starting in the next couple of weeks as well it is even more important to take advantage of this opportunity to get season 4 off to a good start.
Unfortunately, most of the teams are handicapped and can not take full advantage of this great opportunity like Houston and Portland can. These teams have great facilities that allows them the flexibility to meet demand by opening up more seating in their stadiums when needed. Also, they have more advertising dollars to spend in promoting it and local TV broadcasts. One example of limitations, is in the case of KC, they have actually sold out all of their seating for their next game and probably could sell a whole lot more, but they don't have that luxury. Seattle may have the same problem, should they sell out, if they can't open up the additional 6,000 seats available on the other side. This could be a problem for some of the other teams as well as they get closer to selling out their seating.
Of all the reasons for not selling more tickets and having more butts in the stands, the best is selling the place out and not having anywhere left to put more butts in the stands. Value for season ticket holders. Value for buying tickets sooner rather than later. This is what we hoped for. This is why getting to Year 3 was important. And Year 4 (Olympics) promises to be about as much fun.
Tonight's attendance is 5,778! 👏👏👏You're ALL gems! 💙 pic.twitter.com/0nhq8OWW3c— Seattle Reign FC (@reignfc) July 12, 2015
On the bright side, the crowd was witness to a good game which is the first step in crowd retention. It serves no purpose if they get a big crowd for this one match and they are witness to a terrible product and hence don't show up again. If they can average 5k or even 4.5k here on out, it'll be a win.
I wish Fifa would put more effort into women's soccer here in the U.S. Especially with the recent World Cup victory. It's kind of a shame that our county has the best team in the world yet we lack a lot of attributes that accompany a successful women's soccer league. I am a firm believe that the MSL needs to partner with the NWSL to give the women a boost. Men's soccer has significantly increased in popularity the past 10 years so we as a country should use this leverage and help women's soccer as well. My daughter is only 5 but I am sure with the inconsistency of women's soccer a lot of older girls get discourage about their future in the sport and often don't take it serious. I'm sure if we had a solid women's league that drew attendance and got more promotion then a lot more girls would be interested in turning soccer into a profession. I would be hesitant too if I was told I would only be getting 30k a year to play a professional sport meanwhile the WNBA salaries are tripling that. This is something that needs to be addressed.
To add to what I just posted, the MLS team in my city averages 30k per game and they limit the stadium to that. the opening game the city opened the upper bowl and sold out the stadium, I believe it was a 50k attendance record. It was an unbelievable atmosphere. I believe MLS teams like this should also sponsor a women's team within the same city. Let the women use their facilities and fields for games and in terms can promote the Women's pro teams. 90% of population doesn't even know the NSWL exist and that is a shame not on the people but on the front office of the NWSL.
Record attendance of 13,025 at @BBVACompassStdm tonight. You guys rock.— Houston Dash (@HoustonDash) July 13, 2015
WC fever has also hit England: Manchester City Women claimed a new attendance record on Sunday as interest in the FA Women's Super League reached a new high in the wake of England Lionesses' World Cup heroics. A crowd of 2,102 turned out at the Academy Stadium to see City - including five members of the England team which finished in a creditable third place in Canada - beat Birmingham City Ladies 1-0. The figure beat the previous recorded best of 2,057 for the match between Notts County and Liverpool in May, and eclipsed City's old record of 1,412 for their 2014 Continental Cup win over Everton. That's a league record. http://www.thepfa.com/news/2015/7/12/record-attendance-at-city-women
After the 2015 Women’s World Cup, are you now more likely to attend Western New York Flash home games? Yes: 34% No: 66% *LINK* http://www.rbj.net/article.asp?aID=215541
Because they traded Lloyd away Seriously tho ... if WNY gets a bump from 5% to 34% of 470 persons, that's +140 people, which is a small blip, but worth tracking. I suspect many of the poll responders aren't within easy range of WNY's home matches, so they're not going regardless (and neither am I). Some of the poll omments are kind of jaded. New York has too many things going on ...
From Red Stars Gm Alyse LaHue twitter: Alyse LaHue @alahue 1h1 hour ago Looks like our Saturday @chicagoredstars game will be sold out in the next 72 hours. That's a nice feeling. #NWSL
Ten seats opened up at Providence for next Wednesday's Reign match in the middle of section 207 ( upper bowl), and they just opened up 2 more GA areas behind the North goal (204-205, also upper bowl).