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Post by SteveUL on Mar 18, 2019 8:57:46 GMT -4
We drew an average of 5148 per game this year for our attendance in the new building. Clearly some of that significant increase is due to people wanting to see the new building. I don't think it was because this team was exciting to watch at home, because they simply were not. How much of it is due to people finding it easier to get to games with it being downtown, and how much is related to people finding it to be a good way to start an evening ... hockey game and then hit the bars. Parking does not seem to have been an issue.
In 96-97 .... year one under RKI we drew 5387. They did a great job of creating hype that year.
In 05-06 ... Memorial Cup hosting year we drew 5800 ... had to buy season tickets to have your seat at Memorial Cup.
Typically we draw on average between 4200-4800 with a few years that fall outside of that bracket, usually varying based on team strength. So if we are a stronger team next year, can we top 5000 again ?
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kuba
Draft Pick
Posts: 104 
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Post by kuba on Mar 18, 2019 9:36:09 GMT -4
I think another positive factor is better dates , without compeating with trade Shows and Exhibitions for weekend dates . This will be a major factor in the post-season . Another consideration moving forward will be the emergence of new hotels in the Downtown. In 45 years , there has never been any hotels or Restaurants constructed within walking distance of the Coliseum . It’s all about the convenience and ease of access .
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Post by misconduct on Mar 18, 2019 9:45:05 GMT -4
I had 2 season tickets this year but I purchased 3 playoff packages and will be getting 3 season tickets next year. We have an older teenager that didn't like going to the old rink but loves the new one. We also know some people that are getting season tickets for next year that were only a very occasional fans before. They enjoy the new rink that much. Hopefully here are many more with similar stories.
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Post by SteveUL on Mar 18, 2019 10:26:18 GMT -4
I think another positive factor is better dates , without compeating with trade Shows and Exhibitions for weekend dates . This will be a major factor in the post-season . Another consideration moving forward will be the emergence of new hotels in the Downtown. In 45 years , there has never been any hotels or Restaurants constructed within walking distance of the Coliseum . It’s all about the convenience and ease of access . We still compete with the trade shows for the entertainment dollars ... just not a scheduling issue. The only time we had issues with trade shows was during the playoffs, and these numbers have nothing to do with playoffs. We'd typically be on the road during a past trade show weekend in the Coliseum. |
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Post by jimmy on Mar 18, 2019 12:56:27 GMT -4
I think another positive factor is better dates , without compeating with trade Shows and Exhibitions for weekend dates . This will be a major factor in the post-season . Another consideration moving forward will be the emergence of new hotels in the Downtown. In 45 years , there has never been any hotels or Restaurants constructed within walking distance of the Coliseum . It’s all about the convenience and ease of access . We still compete with the trade shows for the entertainment dollars ... just not a scheduling issue. The only time we had issues with trade shows was during the playoffs, and these numbers have nothing to do with playoffs. We'd typically be on the road during a past trade show weekend in the Coliseum. Typically in the past, with any major events in town, the Cats were automatically booked for the road ... might get some extra fans if the Cats are in town at the same time the hotels are full of people attending other events in town - people in town for the shows may decide to take in a Cats game in the evening, especially if their hotel is in walking distance of the Avenir Centre. |
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Post by lirette on Mar 18, 2019 16:07:21 GMT -4
I don't suspect there will be any big drop next season. The thing the Cats do as good or better than any other team in the league is corporate support. Although none of those corporations typically renew for playoffs (look at the ticket map for game 1) they will likely all be back next year, and there was a wait list for club seats.
I hope the Cats or SMG do something to encourage the companies that bought the club seats to ensure they are occupied. Given that they signed 3 year deals all the same companies/fans will have those filled next year again so the same issues will be there. They need to find a system to contact those ticket holders and if they aren't going to use them for a given game they can donate them since they are already paid for.
For as many anecdotal stories you saw here and there with people giving up their tickets due to no parking I saw just as many if not more people saying "we used to go to 1-2 games a year and this year we went to 15".
Aside from the beer prices the in-game experience at the Avenir Centre is one of the best in the Q, and likely the CHL. That helps a lot.
In 5 years the west end of downtown will look completely different. A Hilton hotel has just been announced to replace the V Hotel only steps away, and several other properties in the area have recently been purchased by the same companies so they can be combined into bigger developments. I'd expect to see some mixed use residential/condos to go up near by.
Another thing I've noticed is there are way more jerseys & other gear being worn in the crowd. The new jersey design was a big improvement and I think there's a bigger sense of pride playing in a NHL caliber facility.
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Post by jimmy on Mar 18, 2019 19:14:07 GMT -4
Attendance was up from 3,700 per game to 5,148 per game this year - an increase of 1,421 per game. Then factor in that ticket prices were higher than at the Coliseum, primarily due to the availability of premium seating options (club seats, boxes). Using round numbers, say $20 average per seat, 34 home games, it is conceivable that ticket revenue is up close to $1 million year over year. Now, operating costs are likely higher, and the new lease does not include some of the revenue streams that they would have previously enjoyed (canteen, bar, etc.), however it appears at first glance attending games that they have increased the number of ad sales as well - and having bigger crowds no doubt allows them to push ad prices higher also. Overall, have to think the move downtown was a good one for the team financially.
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Post by hockey1981 on Mar 18, 2019 19:24:58 GMT -4
Attendance was up from 3,700 per game to 5,148 per game this year - an increase of 1,421 per game. Then factor in that ticket prices were higher than at the Coliseum, primarily due to the availability of premium seating options (club seats, boxes). Using round numbers, say $20 average per seat, 34 home games, it is conceivable that ticket revenue is up close to $1 million year over year. Now, operating costs are likely higher, and the new lease does not include some of the revenue streams that they would have previously enjoyed (canteen, bar, etc.), however it appears at first glance attending games that they have increased the number of ad sales as well - and having bigger crowds no doubt allows them to push ad prices higher also. Overall, have to think the move downtown was a good one for the team financially. Average Attendance in 2017-2018 was 4288 |
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