New "Early Bird" Ticket Promotion

[EastHallApp]

App is now entering fans in a prize drawing in exchange for buying tickets at least 13 days before game day. Sounds like the 12-day TV window might be hurting ticket sales.

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =209606174

[appstate24]

Question. If we ordered single game tickets prior to this announcement, do we still get entered in the drawings?

[DaphneUrquhart]

Question. If we ordered single game tickets prior to this announcement, do we still get entered in the drawings?

Yes. That goes for season, half-season, and flex ticket holders as well.

[Gonzo]

App is now entering fans in a prize drawing in exchange for buying tickets at least 13 days before game day. Sounds like the 12-day TV window might be hurting ticket sales.

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =209606174

I'm sure 4-8 hurts ticket sales too.

[moehler]

I think this is going to be a hard year to predict attendance, last year certainly didn't help, but I also think some people still aren't happy with the move up, and you combine it with the realization that we probably will not win more than 5 games this year, just get the feeling attendance will be alittle down this year, I don't think anything major, probably just a couple of thousand, of course, if we give Micigan a scare, or even win the game, than all bets are off on attendance numbers.

[JTApps1]

App is now entering fans in a prize drawing in exchange for buying tickets at least 13 days before game day. Sounds like the 12-day TV window might be hurting ticket sales.

http://www.appstatesports.com/ViewArtic ... =209606174

If we play well we will still fill the stadium, but it might be with walk up sales instead of advance sales. Nothing new for most FBS schools.

Like Gonzo said 4-8 record in 2013 hurts more than anything. Fans will also need some time to become familiar with our new conference mates. I'd imagine many don't realize how good USA is supposed to be this year.

[bigCasu]

I would also imagine that kickoff times not being set in stone has also scared a large number of folks off. Walkup sales may set records this year regardless of the success of the team.

[Gonzo]

I think this is going to be a hard year to predict attendance, last year certainly didn't help, but I also think some people still aren't happy with the move up, and you combine it with the realization that we probably will not win more than 5 games this year, just get the feeling attendance will be alittle down this year, I don't think anything major, probably just a couple of thousand, of course, if we give Micigan a scare, or even win the game, than all bets are off on attendance numbers.

I agree with everything in your post but the bolded. Playing FBS opponents at home will draw more people, and I doubt there will be many who are so petty that that boycott their team because they wanted to keep playing Samford and Western.

I've been all-in on FBS since I started rooting for the Black and Gold. You didn't see me or others like me anywhere but KBS on Saturdays as we played FCS teams.

Now loses, as they result from tougher FBS competition, would/will certainly hurt the bandwagon a bit.

I can't imagine us going below 25,000 this season barring a loss to Campbell or something.

[EastHallApp]

4-8 hurts, and a schedule filled no-name opponents hurts. But that release makes it pretty clear that App at least thinks the unknown kick times are hurting too.

As someone who makes a 6-hour round trip to Boone (usually in one day), I can tell you that not knowing kickoff times is a big hangup. And that's one difference between App and a lot of other schools - there's no major population base within an hour or so from which to draw last-minute sales.

Nothing we can do about it, of course, so I don't blame App for trying to offer at least a little incentive for people to buy early. I'm hoping after this year we'll at least be able to make educated guesses as to when games might start.

[Maddog1956]

I think this is going to be a hard year to predict attendance, last year certainly didn't help, but I also think some people still aren't happy with the move up, and you combine it with the realization that we probably will not win more than 5 games this year, just get the feeling attendance will be alittle down this year, I don't think anything major, probably just a couple of thousand, of course, if we give Micigan a scare, or even win the game, than all bets are off on attendance numbers.

I expect the after Thanksgiving to be the hard one to sell.

I don't see a huge difference for the other games with it being the first sunbelt season and the extra tv coverage.

But you're right, I think it's going to be hard to predict.

[EastHallApp]

Playing FBS opponents at home will draw more people...

Not trying to turn this into an FBS debate (actually I'm actively trying to avoid that), but I think this point remains to be seen. If we start drawing teams like ECU, Marshall, or lower-level ACC teams, absolutely that will drive attendance higher. Or if a Sun Belt team like ULL can sneak into the top 25. Even Southern Miss I think might be a relatively big draw.

But I am skeptical that fans who were not showing up to watch App play Furman, GSU, Wofford, etc., will be more interested in seeing us play ULM, Troy, Arkansas State, etc. For the casual fan - and that's who we're talking about - I doubt they see any real difference between the first group and the second, other than that they might actually know some alumni from the schools that are closer.

[AppinVA]

Playing FBS opponents at home will draw more people...

Not trying to turn this into an FBS debate (actually I'm actively trying to avoid that), but I think this point remains to be seen. If we start drawing teams like ECU, Marshall, or lower-level ACC teams, absolutely that will drive attendance higher. Or if a Sun Belt team like ULL can sneak into the top 25. Even Southern Miss I think might be a relatively big draw.

But I am skeptical that fans who were not showing up to watch App play Furman, GSU, Wofford, etc., will be more interested in seeing us play ULM, Troy, Arkansas State, etc. For the casual fan - and that's who we're talking about - I doubt they see any real difference between the first group and the second, other than that they might actually know some alumni from the schools that are closer.

You may have a point on this year's schedule, but if those fans can't see that next year's schedule (providing ULL and the other ASU come to Boone), is the best we have ever had, I will wonder how their diploma says the same thing as mine.

[Maddog1956]

Playing FBS opponents at home will draw more people...

Not trying to turn this into an FBS debate (actually I'm actively trying to avoid that), but I think this point remains to be seen. If we start drawing teams like ECU, Marshall, or lower-level ACC teams, absolutely that will drive attendance higher. Or if a Sun Belt team like ULL can sneak into the top 25. Even Southern Miss I think might be a relatively big draw.

But I am skeptical that fans who were not showing up to watch App play Furman, GSU, Wofford, etc., will be more interested in seeing us play ULM, Troy, Arkansas State, etc. For the casual fan - and that's who we're talking about - I doubt they see any real difference between the first group and the second, other than that they might actually know some alumni from the schools that are closer.

This may be a reach but I wonder if there are many fans from these schools that are in NC,SC or VA that would want to drive to the mountains in the fall to see there team. I know it was easier for SoCon fans to come but they could also see them play at home about as easy as coming to Boone. Also how many graduates are there of these schools vs the SoCon schools. Many of the SoCon schools were in the 2000 - 6000 range if I remember right.

But I'm not saying this would make for great numbers, I just hadn't seen it considered before.

[luvyosef]

I think this is going to be a hard year to predict attendance, last year certainly didn't help, but I also think some people still aren't happy with the move up, and you combine it with the realization that we probably will not win more than 5 games this year, just get the feeling attendance will be alittle down this year, I don't think anything major, probably just a couple of thousand, of course, if we give Micigan a scare, or even win the game, than all bets are off on attendance numbers.

Haters gonna hate. Unless I'm dead, extremely sick or have some other type of emergency, my butt will be in Boone, NC baby!

[AppDawg]

As someone who makes a 6-hour round trip to Boone (usually in one day), I can tell you that not knowing kickoff times is a big hangup.

I am in this boat as well - 6 hr round trip. 3:30 is the perfect kickoff time. With the rising cost if tickets plus a tank + of gas, tailgate necessities attending an App game is not a cheap endeavor for a family of 4. Now you throw in some 6pm or later kickoffs and you automatically have to consider a hotel or cabin (or get home after 1am) + 2 or 3 additional meals. The difficult thing with the 2-week notice of gametime, where we are located, most hotels and cabins book up with leaf lookers and you typically run into 2 night minimums. Kind of a catch-22.

Not to the same degree, but similar to P5 schools who have see. Attendance decline. Just look at our 1st opponent who is selling nosebleeds with a face value of $75/ticket, yet they wonder why they are are not selling as many seats as they once did.

I think eventually, a smart thing would be for the school to put out a notice saying all home games will be at 3:30, unless dictated by TV. It may not be this year or next year (I actually see potentially 3 night games on schedule next year), but will be done after the school has had an opportunity to educate the "casual" fanbase on FBS football and how TV dictates scheduling.

Utimately, I think we will get there. In my opinion the SunBelt did us no favors with our home schedule this year. Next year, however will be the true test for ticket sales. 2015 is an absolute beast of a home schedule.