I'm too lazy to go looking for links, but I seem to recall that the Jackets were selling tickets like crazy for their first few year, selling out on a regular basis.
I believe that was the case for the first two years. Trouble is in Columbus if it doesn't say Buckeye on the ticket it's tough to get folks to go!
__________________ The 2008-2009 Battle of Alberta
i find it weird that california has high attendance rates. i live in southern california im the only one out of all of my friends that has watched a hockey game within the last 4 years....
The State of California's economy alone ranks between 6-10 in comparison to the worlds countries. It alone has a GDP that ranks in the top 10 of the world.
Couple that with its immense population, and you'll notice that a building that only seats 20k people needs only a passing interest from the populace to do quite well.
Thats why the NFL has constantly tried to input a LA pro team. The market is too big, too rich and too populated not to try over and over again.
I didnt know the Nassau Coliseum only held that many people. Now that you mention that the Islanders are getting alot better attendance to thier games than I thought they were, + they are winning games this year. Hopefully the Isles can get more than 15,000 people to most of thier home games this year.
As long as they keep offering student nights with cheaper tickets and some good promos and the team stays competitive, i don't see why not. Hockey tickets are just outrageous in price.
And about Columbus, just look at past years, they've always had good attendance. When you're one of the worst teams and don't make any big signings in the off-season, that is a negative sign towards the fans.
Attendance may be up this season, but dont let it fool you, alot of US teams like the Blues have promotions that basically give tickets away, so thtat doesnt mean that the NHL is still doing good. Remember, Canadian teams have to pay the double or even the triple to see their hockey team play than the US, I remember my friend went to Boston to see the Habs play there and it costed them much less to see the game in Boston with all the travelling and hotel than it is to pay for parking and watching the game at Bell Center
One thing to note, St Louis may have huge attendance, but I remember seing somewhere how they are doing a promotion that basically give tickets away, so that may influence a little bit. Anyways, im not surprised there's all these problem, what do you expect when there are teams where hockey isnt even the main sport
St. Louis does not give tickets, at least at this point. There were free tix to preseason game but the closest thing this season is a promotion where students get discounted tickets to a few games. I wish they gave away free tickets...
I never heard of any team giving away tickets, i think that is complete BS. The least i ever read on was 10.00 student tickets to Penguins fans on selected nights. Islanders do the same for 16.00 as well as many other teams.
If you can find me an article saying a team gives away tickets i'd really love to see it.
It does happen. Either by radio/TV giveaway or whatnot but papering the arena does occur. Wait until the last two or three weeks of the season and see if the bottom NHL clubs in attendance have a sudden spike in game attendance. It'll be there.
While it does devalue the tickets that the paid attendance have it sometimes does have a benefit when considering concession and parking revenue generated. Rarely though do the freebies buy enough food or park enough cars to make up for what an actual paid crowd would.
__________________ The 2008-2009 Battle of Alberta
Columbus suprisingly hasnt been attracting much attendance at all to many of thier games and have stayed under 12,000 in thier last 2 games.
Columbus has already started to get better. Now, they're starting to get 13,000+ people to their games.
My guess is, that if they keep going the way they are, they'll end the year with an average of 14000, and they'll get 15,000 during the playoffs. If they keep it up, they're attendance will go even farther up.
I'm pretty impressed that the California teams are doing well. I'm all for the game gaining popularity everywhere.
Kinda surprised to see Washington's numbers are low, though. I thought hockey was pretty popular there, and especially with Ovechkin, I thought he would be a top draw.
NHL Attendance Problems
Linear Mode
