Calgary Flames 2023-24 attendance

[Jiri Hrdina]

The other thing about Big Z is that last summer when players were fleeing the Flames, he was the first guy to sign an extension.
That meant a lot to me.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Big Z is awesome, but we're talking about attendance here and your casual fan that's needed to fill the building comes for exciting hockey and superstars.

As the season goes on, if the team's winning, playing exciting hockey and having players step up, the crowds will be there.

[Ashes]

Originally Posted by Jiggy

Big Z is one of the most out spoken players in the league. He's charismatic and a great human. Having him on the Flames is pretty cool. He's not home grown, but if you can't connect with a player like that then maybe it's you?

He didn't mention anything about Z specifically.. so that's a strange response. But I suppose some people will take any criticism of the organization as an invitation to fight.

Speaking for myself, I'm a diehard Flames fan but I do agree with the post, this team as currently constructed isn't making me feel very connected to Flames and I find myself less excited for this season than any other I can think of. But I'll still be watching all the games and hoping for the best. It's been a tough few years, maybe cut some people some slack if they're not drinking the Kool-Aid just yet? Just a thought.

[Jiggy]

Originally Posted by Ashes

He didn't mention anything about Z specifically.. so that's a strange response. But I suppose some people will take any criticism of the organization as an invitation to fight.

Speaking for myself, I'm a diehard Flames fan but I do agree with the post, this team as currently constructed isn't making me feel very connected to Flames and I find myself less excited for this season than any other I can think of. But I'll still be watching all the games and hoping for the best. It's been a tough few years, maybe cut some people some slack if they're not drinking the Kool-Aid just yet? Just a thought.

I brought up Big Z as someone Flames fans could have a connection with. I wasn't trying to get anyone to drink the Kool-aid. There are decent players on the team, and Big Z is a good example.

[dino7c]

100 less fans than the Bruins that are at 100%

honestly I don't think it's fair to count the press level beyond the first three rows...its is more like overflow seating

[Cleveland Steam Whistle]

Originally Posted by Elkyiv

It wouldn't be a problem if they lowered the cost of tickets during a rebuild.

That's the problem with just looking at attendance. Goal is maximize revenue, not fill the building at any cost.

Flames had 90% attendance last night. I'm guessing that number would be too low for them if it ends up being the average. But how much lower would they need to make the average ticket price to bring that number up, and is it worth it?

As someone pointed out - tough economy, cost of tickets went up, and as of right now not much to get excited about re: Flames. Missed the playoffs last year, and the team lacks a bit of an identity and certainly lacks player connection it last had with Johnny and Tkachuk. Winning hockey games would likely take care of both the interest, the player connection they need to create to drag the more casual fan into the building, and not have to lower costs of tickets.

If Flames struggle this year, I think attendance will continue to be tough, and ticket prices lowering might be needed for them to maximize revenue potential this year.

[neo45]

8pm start on a week night makes a huge difference. 8:16 puck drop

[8sPOT]

I haven't been to a game since all this crazy inflation hit in the last year or two. The increase in my mortgage alone negates something like going to a Flames game. Don't see that changing anytime soon either. So this isn't surprising to me at all.

[Finger Cookin]

I contend the Jets aren't a draw like most of the other Canadian teams. Leafs and Habs will always draw. Oilers and Canucks will always attract jerks and a deep hatred from the locals. The Jets and Sens are just kind of there, and mostly annoying as opposed to hateable.

But yeah, inflation, late weeknight start, not much postseason success of note in 20 years, I think we've covered all the bases.

[Mr.Coffee]

The only thing not mentioned- and honestly worth mentioning- is that the product isn’t worth it?

Straight up. It isn’t.

[EVERLAST]

New building is going to have less capacity and more luxury boxes ?
Luxury boxes that'll likely sit empty.
Can't imagine ticket prices , concessions and parking in a couple of years.

And the product? I'd be more excited to see Wolf in net ...I just would.
This last couple of seasons have left me less Interested.

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by EVERLAST

New building is going to have less capacity and more luxury boxes ?
Luxury boxes that'll likely sit empty.
Can't imagine ticket prices , concessions and parking in a couple of years.

And the product? I'd be more excited to see Wolf in net ...I just would.
This last couple of seasons have left me less Interested.

I don't think that would have been very exciting last night TBH

[Robbob]

Been going to home openers for around 20 years and this one was a weird one. The home opener didn't feel like the home opener. It felt more like a Wednesday game in January.

[StoneCole]

I actually expect attendance will nose dive this year. The reported attendance will still be > 17,000 but the dome won't be that full most nights. Next year and the year after could drop even further as more and more season ticket holders choose not to renew. Especially if the team is meddling.

It's getting difficult to sell PL Row 1 tickets at break even. And those are likely the best value tickets in the dome. This year i will likely sell 75% of the games at a loss (relative to my heavily discounted season ticket price), 15% at break even, and the Toronto, Edmontonx2, Bedard, and Kipper retirement games at an insanely inflated rate. Even Montreal and Vancouver games don't do well right now since their teams suck.

There's still a decent number of season tickets above row 3 of PL, but I can't see those folks renewing too many more times. Likewise for the higher and further blues/whites and the lower bowl on the ends.

Overall season tickets subscriptions have gone from having a legitimate wait list, to having a contrived wait list (like standing in the line outside a bar at 11 PM even though "supply" exists)...to a point where you can walk up and get a season ticket or one of the 9 game packs in almost any section, including the best value ones.

The only thing they really have going for them is if people want to stick it out for an opportunity to "reserve" a seat in the new building.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Last night was the deepest emotional connection I’ve ever felt with a hockey team. This group touches me deep down in the cockles of my heart.

Which team were you watching on TV?

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by StoneCole

I actually expect attendance will nose dive this year. The reported attendance will still be > 17,000 but the dome won't be that full most nights. Next year and the year after could drop even further as more and more season ticket holders choose not to renew. Especially if the team is meddling.

It's getting difficult to sell PL Row 1 tickets at break even. And those are likely the best value tickets in the dome. This year i will likely sell 75% of the games at a loss (relative to my heavily discounted season ticket price), 15% at break even, and the Toronto, Edmontonx2, Bedard, and Kipper retirement games at an insanely inflated rate. Even Montreal and Vancouver games don't do well right now since their teams suck.

There's still a decent number of season tickets above row 3 of PL, but I can't see those folks renewing too many more times. Likewise for the higher and further blues/whites and the lower bowl on the ends.

Overall season tickets subscriptions have gone from having a legitimate wait list, to having a contrived wait list (like standing in the line outside a bar at 11 PM even though "supply" exists)...to a point where you can walk up and get a season ticket or one of the 9 game packs in almost any section, including the best value ones.

The only thing they really have going for them is if people want to stick it out for an opportunity to "reserve" a seat in the new building.

I think the other thing is that if you give up your tickets, you may not be able to get them back if demand increases. Or at least the same seats. For those of us who have been season tickets holders for a long time and really like our seats, it’s a real risk.

[StoneCole]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I think the other thing is that if you give up your tickets, you may not be able to get them back if demand increases. Or at least the same seats. For those of us who have been season tickets holders for a long time and really like our seats, it’s a real risk.

Yup people with good seats and/or seats that are really good value will keep them.

The reality with continual insane increases to ticket prices is that there are hardly any "good value" seats left. Even the ones that historically provided the best value are becoming unaffordable.

I'm really NOT looking forward to the new building.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

We are at a period of the highest inflation Canadians have seen since the 80's so a lot of people have to cut down on luxury expenditures such as professional sports tickets. Also a lot of fans didn't enjoy last season so it's kind of a worst case scenario for the Flames.

Which is all self inflicted....bumping ticket prices again after a brutal year and terrible economics is just dumb. Unless the product vastly turns around, I will gladly be happy watching games from home or a bar and spending my entertainment money elsewhere.

Dropping $300+ (tickets, beer/food, transportation) for two people to sit at the top corner of level 2 is just completely unappealing regardless of whether or not I can afford it. If they don't start to either provide lower cost options to attend this is going to only get worse unless this season turns into something more like the 2021/2022 season.

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by The Cobra

I think the other thing is that if you give up your tickets, you may not be able to get them back if demand increases. Or at least the same seats. For those of us who have been season tickets holders for a long time and really like our seats, it’s a real risk.

I actually think the new building is a big disadvantage for these people, myself included.

I've had seasons for 15 years now, and love my seats at the front of greens, which I think are some of the best value seats in the Dome.

But the new building probably puts me up price level (the cheapest seats will go to PL holders) and the prices will be way up. I doubt I'm willing to pay that. And if someone is going to drop them in a couple of years anyway...

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by bizaro86

I actually think the new building is a big disadvantage for these people, myself included.

I've had seasons for 15 years now, and love my seats at the front of greens, which I think are some of the best value seats in the Dome.

But the new building probably puts me up price level (the cheapest seats will go to PL holders) and the prices will be way up. I doubt I'm willing to pay that. And if someone is going to drop them in a couple of years anyway...

They will allocate by seniority. And you will be able to choose your price level. But yeah, some people are going to get much better seats, and some will get worse - there's no perfect way to do it.

For me, I have had them for 20 years (so probably middle of the pack), and I love my seats - right on the offensive blue line. I expect that I will get nothing remotely as good, unless I want to go way up in price levels.