1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions, part 1

Discussion in 'MLS: News & Analysis' started by Napoli_Ultra, Oct 19, 2004.

  1. Napoli_Ultra

    Napoli_Ultra Member

    Jun 9, 1999
    Lorton VA
    Club:
    DC United

    22nd:
    Galaxy @ Rapids - 10,000

    23rd:
    Crew @ Revolution - 11,000
    DC United @ MetroStars - 15,000

    24th:
    Wizards @ Earthquakes - 22,000


    I haven't looked at the stats, but I believe playoff attendances have usually not been that great. Especially for the first round and the host team only has 1 week to promote and sell tickets. With Earthquakes attendance going up as the season came to a close and last season's playoff attendance, I see them getting a good crowd.
     
  2. okcomputer

    okcomputer Member

    Jun 25, 2003
    dc
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    I wouldnt expect much in the first game of the first round.
    No time to promote.

    Colorado-8k
    NE-8k
    NY-12k
    SJ-14k

    average=10,500
     
  3. Brownswan

    Brownswan New Member

    Jun 30, 1999
    Port St. Lucie, FL
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    I was away on vacation, but on their last visit to Metro and the Swamp didn't FreddyU pull in 30k? What was with that night? I remember thinking "30K -- and we lose?!? That's my Metro!"

    I think better than 12k will show up just to see Freddy.
     
  4. mannellaice

    mannellaice New Member

    May 8, 2001
    KC, MO
    Club:
    Kansas City Wizards
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Wrong, this is the fourth matchup in three weeks for these two teams...

    LA @ COL - 11k
    KC @ SJ - 16k
    CLB @ NE - 7.5k
    DC @ MET - 12k
     
  5. galaxyfan03

    galaxyfan03 Member

    Jul 4, 2001
    Glendale, California
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Galaxy @ Colorado = 15,000
    D.C. @ Metrostars = 20,000
    Columbus @ NE = 15,000
    Kansas City @ San Jose = 20,000

    Perhaps a bit "too optimistic" but I figure, what the hell.
     
  6. NattyBo

    NattyBo Member+

    Apr 30, 2004
    Nunya
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    There will at least be 2 busloads full of DC fans up at NY :D
     
  7. mr.acorn

    mr.acorn New Member

    Jul 22, 2001
    Grand Rapids, Michigan
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Cls @ NE- 5,000...Going up against Game 1 of the World Series
     
  8. The Magpie

    The Magpie Member

    Nov 19, 1998
    Cambridge, MA
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    I think Gillette will draw more than 5,000, perhaps something closer 8,000, but going up against Game One of the World Series isn't exactly the best thing for attendance.
     
  9. crusio

    crusio New Member

    May 10, 2004
    Princeton
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions


    This statement seems to be true. Does anyone have any opinions or draw any conclusions from this? Does it say anythng about MLS fans?
     
  10. cosmojado

    cosmojado Member

    Oct 18, 2002
    in sin
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    As silly as "MPF" is, and likewise LA's "Go For Gold", these are attempts to promote the playoffs at an early date. Yes it does help to be in contention for a spot in the playoffs (both clubs lead their conferences and although they did drop in standings, it was not very far down), so you can begin such a campaign. This talk of 'not enough time to promote' shows a lack of effort by the Front Offices of certain clubs. I know right now as I type this that the playoffs for 2005 will start at the end of October. I can begin to prepare my 2005 playoff campaign right now.

    'MPF' and 'Go For Gold' work well since they are not dated (no 2004 in the title). Posters, banners, shirts, can be made far ahead of time and be ready for dispersal when the playoff spot is secure or close to secure. You can use the race for playoff positioning as a head start to promote upcoming playoff games. So you don't make it the playoffs? Oh well, shelve the shirts and posters and save them for next season.

    And the only thing keeping a team from recylcling these items is roster changes that might take a player off a poster, or kit changes.

    But other than that, these things can be prepared well ahead of time.

    Not enough time to promote is a poor excuse of any management.
     
  11. soccerfan

    soccerfan BigSoccer Supporter

    Mar 13, 1999
    New Jersey
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    now that the RED SOX made it to the Final, how do they promote it,
    compare this to MLS playoffs,

    i am sure you will have the answer

    i don't see the baseball clubs or MLB advertising it, nor should MLS and its teams have to.....its up to the fans and the local media
     
  12. crusio

    crusio New Member

    May 10, 2004
    Princeton
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    I completely agree with Cosmos and Soccerfans the above posts. Additionally, to take it an extra step, should there be a great need to have a 'sell' a playoff game? If a team average 'attendace' is 15,000, shouldn't this number plus some, be a slam dunk? Where, and more importantly whom, are the fans of the teams?
     
  13. Andy_B

    Andy_B Member+

    Feb 2, 1999
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Is 8 years of history not enough for you to understand that its pretty obvious the MLS playoffs do not enjoy the same sort of elevated prominance that they do in other american sports?

    MLS Attendance is built painstakenly one fan at a time. Its takes ticket sellers weeks and months to promote and sell games just to get to a 15k average.

    There is simply not a high enough level of interest in MLS to ever assume that the playoffs could sell themselves.

    Andy
     
  14. galaxyfan03

    galaxyfan03 Member

    Jul 4, 2001
    Glendale, California
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Attendance was probably not going to be great for the Revs anyway but the Red Sox in the Series is the "worst" thing that could've happened for the Revs.
     
  15. The Cadaver

    The Cadaver It's very quiet here.

    Oct 24, 2000
    La Cañada, CA
    Club:
    Los Angeles Galaxy
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Just received my playoff tickets and "Go for Gold" T-shirt. On the back of the shirt is the 2004 MLS Cup Logo. So much for recycling.
     
  16. LA Galaxy Fan

    LA Galaxy Fan Member

    Feb 28, 2000
    Tokyo
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Colorado-6k
    NE-5k
    NY-9k
    SJ-7k
     
  17. cosmojado

    cosmojado Member

    Oct 18, 2002
    in sin
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    I guess I should have looked at the back of mine.

    I wonder how many people will actually show up in those t-shirts for the 2nd round game on the 30th?

    Anyway, my fellow friends and fans that are not season ticket holders knew of the 'go for gold' campaign and wanted to get their hands on the shirt. So even though 'GFG' (tired of typing it out) is not plastered all over LA, enough people (not counting season ticket holders) that attend games are aware of it.

    I'm probably being unfair in using LA as an example. LA sports fans are very spoiled, and expect teams (in all sports) to make it to the post-season. So any questions about the post season really deal with what time is the game. The game is known, but people want to know the details so they can get tickets or know when to be in front of the TV.

    The days of being ************-out-of-luck in getting playoff tickets could be coming soon in LA (as in a few years from now).

    But could you imagine this playoff scenario.......

    ....LA vs Chivas

    [Keauneu Reeves] whoa [/Keanue Reeves]
     
  18. crusio

    crusio New Member

    May 10, 2004
    Princeton
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Do you know if it is getting better?? Staying the same?? Worse?? You would just think after 9 years MLS could have built a fan base that would atleast fill their stadiums to their average for the regular season.
     
  19. okcomputer

    okcomputer Member

    Jun 25, 2003
    dc
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    The biggest problem this league faces is that it has not developed a large, loyal fanbase. Most teams probably have about 5-8 thousand fans who go to every game but that is it. The rest of the attendance seems to be made up of people who go to 1 game a year just for a night out. These people probably don't know or even care if their local team is in the playoffs. Since there is little time to market playoff games, you generally only get the hardcore fans. That is what causes the attendance dropoff.
     
  20. crusio

    crusio New Member

    May 10, 2004
    Princeton
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Interesting.... Its hard to quantify, but over the years, have you seen this hardcore base of fans growing? I have been a METRO fan for about 3 years and their support has somewhat dwinded each year. Not by alot from as far as I can tell, but its noticable to most. Thats just one team though, I wonder about the others.
     
  21. eejit

    eejit Member

    Jun 10, 2004
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Wow!! Some of those predictions are too pesimistic even by my standards. I confidently predict

    Galaxy @ Colorado = 11,000
    D.C. @ Metrostars = 15,000
    Columbus @ NE = 7,000
    Kansas City @ San Jose = 12,500
     
  22. okcomputer

    okcomputer Member

    Jun 25, 2003
    dc
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    I have gone to their games since 96 and at first they had a big following but the team has never been good so over the years it has really killed their fanbase. If they ever get a new stadium, i'm sure many people would come back. For example, there were less than 6k there last year for the open cup final. That to me showed their true fanbase.
     
  23. crusio

    crusio New Member

    May 10, 2004
    Princeton
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Same for METRO, we had about 5,000 for last years Open Cup final. So do you think its more the atmosphere of a SSS thats lacking or the teams performance? Its interesting to see the differnet factors that bond fans to their teams.
     
  24. ButlerBob

    ButlerBob Member

    Nov 13, 2001
    Evanston, IL
    Club:
    DC United
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions


    You think that would be the case. However, of that 15k average how many are group sales? I would guess a pretty good percentage. That's were you get the drop off for the playoffs. Mostly because you don't have the lead time to sell groups. :cool:
     
  25. christhestud

    christhestud Member

    Jun 4, 2004
    Re: 1st Round Playoff Attendance Predictions

    Galaxy @ Colorado = 11,000
    D.C. @ Metrostars = 13,500 (hope the Freddy factor is at work again in NY)
    Columbus @ NE = 8,500
    Kansas City @ San Jose = 15,750 (Earthquakes with highest attendance thanks to one Tony Amanpour and his 4000 tickets purchased)

    Average: 12,188
     

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