Why Is College Football Attendance Tanking?

[AppDawg]

It was never mentioned this past season, but computer polls still play a significant role for the CFP Committee. Especially with the G5. ETSU was horrible and significantly hindered our SOS. Yes, the SBC teams we played were not the “best” but they were heads and shoulders better than ETSU in the computer rankings.

[SayYesToTheRock]

FCS games don't really kill our attendance.

The biggest killers of our attendance are, in no particular order

- Weather
- ESPN+
- Weeknight games
- Conference opponents our fanbase largely isn't familiar with

To me, reducing FCS games is more about strength of schedule, although I think attendance may improve also.

[T-Dog]

FCS games don't really kill our attendance. Obviously, it's better when Miami, Wake and even Charlotte come to the Rock.

In 2015-Howard outdrew a Homecoming Wyoming Crowd

The Wyoming game was during the remnants of a hurricane.

Another factor for FCS games drawing well are that they're during September, by far the best weather month on the schedule.

If for some reason App ever has an FCS game in November, attendance would be <15,000.

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

It’s all about Internet and TV. Video killed the football star.

Ironic, the thing that has made the money could kill the game atmosphere.

I am not sure if it is ironic, but TV cares about viewership, and they don’t really care about that. TV cares about selling ads. I doubt TV would care about that if they could find a schmuck to buy an add if only one person was watching.

[WASU 93]

FCS games don't really kill our attendance. Obviously, it's better when Miami, Wake and even Charlotte come to the Rock.

In 2015-Howard outdrew a Homecoming Wyoming Crowd

The Wyoming game was during the remnants of a hurricane.

Another factor for FCS games drawing well are that they're during September, by far the best weather month on the schedule.

If for some reason App ever has an FCS game in November, attendance would be <15,000.

Agreed. Unless it’s a P5 or regional rivalry, we are always going to have more fans in better weather. I think weather and time of year is more important than quality of opponent for a portion of fans.

[9Steelman]

Maybe $4 water, popcorn, & plain hot dogs need to be $5 each to speed up concession process!!!! What use to be 3 hour games for years have suddenly become 4 hour games in last few years

[AppSt12]

I personally dont buy the espn+ excuse. Here is why. College football attendance is down nationwide. It's down a good deal in 2019 from 2018. Most major college teams have had their games on tv forever, and some teams never have and still dont. We are one of the few teams who have experienced that change.

Also our attendance grew from 2018 to 2019. Anyone who goes to app games regularly can almost clearly explain why we arnt in the 27-29k average we experienced 8-9 years ago. Weather and weeknight games. We had a good few years with excellent weather. Since weve been in FBS weve had some tough weather situations and 1/6th our home games on a weekday. It is as simple as that.

Look at this season:

ETSU - 25k
Charlotte - 29k
Coastal - 25k (bad weather and weather delay...this games pulled 30k last time it was played)
ULM - 27k
GaSo - 18k (Thursday and weekday)
Texas State - 22k (rain and cold)


Good weather we average between 27-29k....bad weather 21-24k.


We dont have an attendance problem per se. This year was the 10th best year in App football history, and only 1600 per game from being top 5.

Now we need to learn what we need to do to get 30k per game.

[AppDawg]

I still come back to the best games across college football that fans are truly interested in are either on weekdays or non-conference games are moving to neutral sites, not included in season ticket packages.

Why buy a season ticket to watered down opponents and knowing you likely cannot go to the “marquee” game(s) at home due to midweek scheduling?

For instance, my family went to the ‘Canes hockey game last night. My 8 year old daughter, who has been going to App football games before she turned 1 said “Daddy, Hockey is so much more fun than football. It’s not exciting when we (App) are winning by so much. I like going, but they get very boring.”

If my 8 year old daughter picks up on it, what does that say about the wider college football fanbase?

[WASU 93]

I still come back to the best games across college football that fans are truly interested in are either on weekdays or non-conference games are moving to neutral sites, not included in season ticket packages.

Why buy a season ticket to watered down opponents and knowing you likely cannot go to the “marquee” game(s) at home due to midweek scheduling?

For instance, my family went to the ‘Canes hockey game last night. My 8 year old daughter, who has been going to App football games before she turned 1 said “Daddy, Hockey is so much more fun than football. It’s not exciting when we (App) are winning by so much. I like going, but they get very boring.”

If my 8 year old daughter picks up on it, what does that say about the wider college football fanbase?

And that's the one thing where I think DG is missing the boat. Go back to two and three game mini-packs with parking and guaranteed seats.
When Savannah (or Texas State) come to town, offer family four-packs that include tickets (on the East Side in the Upper Deck Corners) with 4 Hot Dogs and 4 Drinks for $99.

At the same time, reward your full season ticket holders who are going to come to six (or even five) games a year.

I am not a big fan of marquee games at neutral sites. I anticipate that App State/ECU tickets in Charlotte will be double what they are in Boone or Greenville. And, it'll be interesting to see if that extra revenue goes to the schools or ends up in the hands of the Stadium/Promoters.

Plus, i'd rather watch a game at a College Stadium vs. BOA. While I'm no UNC Fan, Kenan was a really nice environment to watch a game. Williams-Brice had a great feel, great traditions and their band playing throughout was part of the allure.

[WASU 93]

Maybe $4 water, popcorn, & plain hot dogs need to be $5 each to speed up concession process!!!!

Or 2 for $5. Add $3 to $5 to the ticket price and lower concessions. You'll make as much revenue and have happier customers who will buy more in the stadium.

[WVAPPeer]

" “Daddy, Hockey is so much more fun than football. "

Your daughter is wise beyond her years - I love college football and have for 7 decades but there is nothing more exciting than the up and down constant action of a competitive hockey game

[AppDawg]

" “Daddy, Hockey is so much more fun than football. "

Your daughter is wise beyond her years - I love college football and have for 7 decades but there is nothing more exciting than the up and down constant action of a competitive hockey game

I agree, when it comes to playoff hockey. That is hard to beat in person.

[HkyMtneer]

" “Daddy, Hockey is so much more fun than football. "

Your daughter is wise beyond her years - I love college football and have for 7 decades but there is nothing more exciting than the up and down constant action of a competitive hockey game

I agree, when it comes to playoff hockey. That is hard to beat in person.

Very true! Playoff hockey is all about highs to lows and up and down and it lasts for 60 solid minutes of play. To this day the single loudest sporting event that I've ever attended in person was the Canes Game 7 Stanley Cup winner in Raleigh. It was standing from start-to-finish and the noise just never let up.

[AppinVA]

" “Daddy, Hockey is so much more fun than football. "

Your daughter is wise beyond her years - I love college football and have for 7 decades but there is nothing more exciting than the up and down constant action of a competitive hockey game

I agree, when it comes to playoff hockey. That is hard to beat in person.

Very true! Playoff hockey is all about highs to lows and up and down and it lasts for 60 solid minutes of play. To this day the single loudest sporting event that I've ever attended in person was the Canes Game 7 Stanley Cup winner in Raleigh. It was standing from start-to-finish and the noise just never let up.

Overtime playoff hockey — even better.

[Cro-Magnon App]

Football at college and pro level ...
1 Too expensive
2. Takes forever to play the game - media TOs, challenges and reviews, etc..
3. Bad fan behavior
4. Too much player antics. Who wants to watch demonstrations after every play? "Look what I did"

[citroknight]

Football at college and pro level ...
1 Too expensive
2. Takes forever to play the game - media TOs, challenges and reviews, etc..
3. Bad fan behavior
4. Too much player antics. Who wants to watch demonstrations after every play? "Look what I did"

Pay attention next time you watch or attend a game that's on ESPN vs CBS sports. The CBS sports games drag on forreeeevveer. They pump SO many commercials into each game.

[Saint3333]

If the opponent isn’t a P5 or a G5 that in within 200 miles the opponent is irrelevant.

[WASU 93]

If the opponent isn’t a P5 or a G5 that in within 200 miles the opponent is irrelevant.

Unless it’s Miami or an opponent of that caliber

[McLeansvilleAppFan]

If the opponent isn’t a P5 or a G5 that in within 200 miles the opponent is irrelevant.

Unless it’s Miami or an opponent of that caliber

I think Miami is a P5 so the opponent is relevant

[TheMoody1]

If the opponent isn’t a P5 or a G5 that in within 200 miles the opponent is irrelevant.

Unless it’s Miami or an opponent of that caliber

I think Miami is a P5 so the opponent is relevant

I think he means that only the G5 needs to be within 200 miles.