http://www.bigdsoccer.com/2011/10/25/2513251/final-fc-dallas-2011-attendance-numbers-and-thoughts The full numbers from this season and a few thoughts from me.
So we got an extra 18.9%* because of a good playoff run and the FO being less cheap and stupid. I like it. Perhaps we're seeing a phoenix hatching in front of our eyes. Hopefully the FO sees that their efforts are paying off and we'll see continued investment in the marketing of this team. I am particularly pleased (though my wallet isn't) that we had an increase while simultaneously raising the price of the cheapest single-game tickets (Fiesta still FTW, though) and doing minimal last-minute blue-light specials on tickets after they'd already harvested all the buyers who would bite at the higher price points. --- * - Yes, of course FCD is padding the numbers, like every team. I'm assuming that they're padding them the same way this year that they were last year and that the increase is close enough to accurate to be a useful piece of data.
In later years, didn't the Burn only sell sideline tickets at the Cotton Bowl, and have the end zones roped off? I think FCD might want to consider doing the same at Pizza Hut Park for tougher-to-sell midweek matches and the like. Many EPL teams differ the price of individual game ticket prices depending on who the visiting team is. Tickets prices are higher when Man United or Liverpool are visiting, vs when Bolton or Wigan come to town. FCD could do the same, by charging higher prices and selling tickets to all stadium seating when the Galaxy visit, on July 4th, etc. And by charging lower prices and roping off the end zone for less attractive matches such as midweek or midsummer games.
...or because the "beer garden" seems to be so popular on one end line how about just turning the other end line into a giant beer garden instead of draping it off. line up some ********ing kegs every 12 feet or so and let mayhem ensue. Boom! Instant profits!!! thats the ticket!
I actually saw games this year that the attendance seemed under -reported. Maybe that was in comparison to past pratices but they seem to be playing it closer to real figures. Meaning with old school padding the rise would have been a lot more. I'm glad to see them shedding the padding as I see it as them being more honest with themselves.
I don't think teams "pad" the attendance number... it goes to what they define as attendance. 1. is attendance = sold tickets plus the 100s of tickets given in giveaways, freebies, including the no-shows 2. or attendance = the people actually watching the game, scanned tickets
Its not for me to worry about. How many people we have in the stands doesn't affect in how I feel about the squad on the pitch.
I know that FCD used to exaggerate attendance considerably back when Hitchcock was President of the club. I've gotten the impression that MLS has tightened the guidelines under which clubs report attendance. Rather than report attendance as sold tickers plus all freebies distributed, I believe they are only reporting the actual number of butts in seats. It's possible though that they may including in the attendance numbers all tickets sold to the game whether or not those fans show up.
However, having more people in the stands 1) adds enjoyment to watching the match for most people (including you I would think) 2) improves the finances of the club, which hopefully spurs FCD over time to sign better players and have a deeper bench, which would improve how we "feel about the squad on the pitch".
Nah, don't care. It'll only make my ticket prices higher. These bean counters won't spend more money than they have to, regardless of whether they're bringing in oogles of money or not. Besides, let LA & NY overpay for some DP's, we do just fine without.
FCD is certainly getting criticized by the neutral fans over at mlssoccer.com for what they consider poor attendance at last night's match: http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-10-26-fc-dallas-vs-new-york-red-bulls/recap Lot's of calls to relocate the team from Dallas, etc. Watching the game on TV, I actually thought the attendance and game atmosphere was pretty good (especially for a midweek match). But perhaps my expectations for crowds at FCD matches have become too low, and it really was as bad as they all think?
I thought the majority of the east side was full. It looked pretty good for a Wednesday night. There is no pleasing those neutral asshats. If we're not Seattle or Portland, we should be moved.
I didn't think the crowd looked that bad. Actually, a few minutes into the game I was going to post something on our boards about nobody showing up, but by then the crowd looked pretty respectable. Not bad, especially mid week and a fairly late start. There have been much worse crowds for play off games. I'm sure it would have been even better in the next round, especially if it had been on a weekend and after the World Series (I'm sure it helped that the game was postponed, but probably many people had already made their plans.)
The east side was mostly full and I attribute that to the FO smartly placing all their Rangers/Groupon/Power lunch, etc. deal-takers over there since the start time was later and the weather was nice. The Main-st side endline and west side were far emptier than usual. However, for only just over 10k, I thought it was a great crowd. Much more vocal than sellouts I've been to in the past.
It's too bad, though, that FCD didn't give them much to cheer about. After a bright start, there were some lulls in the game that nearly put me to sleep.
Folks, please recall that every time you walk into the stadium with a ticket a friendly staffer scans your ticket with an electronic hand held device. FC Dallas knows EXACTLY how many people attend each and every match. To the last singe individual.