Purdue had the NCAA's largest gain in attendance @ 13,433 per game, 39% over 2016. It's the Brohm Bump. https://www.wthr.com/article/college-football-attendance-dips-but-purdue-gets-brohm-bump I'm not surprised. Many large programs have pushed fans to the breaking point with hefty ticket price increases. Plus, big screen TVs have made watching the games at home more enjoyable. Of course, winning and losing always affects attendance up or down.
It is fun to experience the whole ambiance of the game in person, but it does kill a whole day and it's not cheap. If you spend a lot of money and are lucky enough to get season tickets, own a RV, and the ability to take Thursday through Sunday to be away from home, then it is really enjoyable. Watching at home is awfully nice too. I think the cost, crowd and associated traffic hinder attendance and the fact that you can see virtually every game on TV. I think Alabama was on some channel for every game last year. That hurts attendance also.
It's a full Saturday for me, every weekend, and I don't even tailgate anymore. 2.5 hour drive, get something to eat, get to parking, watch the game, and then... getting away from the stadium afterward can be awful. It's usually 12 hours from the time we leave, to the time I get back in the driveway. And the cost... yeah it's not cheap. I have 4 seats for 7 games. Total out of pocket is about $3000 after donations etc... But... this is my thing. I decided a long time ago this is what I wanted to do... I just realized this will be my 20th year with season tickets. How did it go by so fast? WOW! And I've been shooting the breeze with most of you knuckle-heads for all that time!
Scott, you're young and an avid fan. Fortunately, you have the energy to travel and the means to meet the costs related to attending the games. I'm an old man who's been to countless ND games over the years. I'm thinking those days, except for an occasional trip, may be behind me, which likely is what colored my comments. Heck, maybe the average decline has nothing to do with ticket cost. Maybe it's just due to the aging population of fans and alumni, who, like me, enjoy watching the games in the comfort of my living room.
The decline in attendance has not reached Columbus Ohio yet. Ohio State football is still the name of the game for sports fans in Columbus, even with one pro hockey franchise and one soccer pro team. Currently looks like the Spring Game will be sold out with 100,000 plus fans. There are thousands of fans who still can not obtain tickets to see the Buckeyes play. I honestly think we could currently fill a 150,000 seat stadium with all of the rabid Ohio State football fans.
Don, interesting that a program that sells out every game by definition would have the same attendance year after year, no room for increase and no vacant seats. That's certainly a good thing. Of course, it goes without saying that winning helps. :wink:
Scott, Sid and Don, I agree with what all of you said. Alabama's attendance has not declined either but I find myself wanting to go to the big games and watch all of the other games from the comforts of my "shed". 8)
"It's a full Saturday for me, every weekend, and I don't even tailgate anymore. 2.5 hour drive, get something to eat, get to parking, watch the game, and then... getting away from the stadium afterward can be awful. It's usually 12 hours from the time we leave, to the time I get back in the driveway." Pretty well describes my game day schedule for UF....when I do go.
I'm 7.2 miles away from the Vatican....only worries are parking...it'll be somewhere in Lancaster county.
After 27 years and being 80 yrs young we gave ours up last season. We did go to three games and hope to do the same this year. With three games in a row we can leave North Carolina and spend a week with each daughter we had season tickets with and see three games and be gone 17 days. Our grandkids are starting to graduate this year so in a couple of years I kind of imagine we will be watching them from the comfort of our living room.
Senior Chief....I PT'd for 22 years and 10 months.....I now follow the Motor T motto of...."if you cant truck it, **** it"... Besides, "Humpin" now has the singular meaning for this Marine now....lol
For me I've probably seen my last college football game in person. The trip to ND is too expensive and truthfully the whole all day tailgating and drinking is no longer as attractive to me as it once was, plus even here in Houston I'm not all that much into going to sporting events in person.