Calgary Flames Attendance down 2018/19

[Flamenspiel]

Really, up till the last few games the Flames were tending to lose at home. I believe its the first time they won three in a row at home in two years(back to 2016-2017 at least). I remember that during the post lockout years(2004-2009) the Flames tended to be a poor road team but were very consistent at home.

I have to say that its a real step up in entertainment this year, all the STH around me kept there seats as well and they are very happy. The guy behind me said he had already seen the Flames win three times this year(equal to all the wins he had seen 2017-2018), last year he had seen 3 wins and 15 losses. Winning is not a peripheral issue, it is the main driver of attendance and drives season ticket sales.

I have no complaints, if this team continues to produce, we could have a winning/competitive team for 4-5 years. I also like the burger and half price beer promo before the games, that was a great idea.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by Flamenspiel

I also like the burger and half price beer promo before the games, that was a great idea.

Totally forgot about this, but yes its a fantastic idea. Also the extra money off at the Fanattic.

[Bobblehead]

I think most athletic venues the cost of beer is crazy. I still prefer going to games. The things happening outside of the camera's eye really adds to the game for me. But there are a lot of other things that tend to grate on the in arena experience, and they all add up.

[Huntingwhale]

I was one of those people that decided not to go to games this season, after going to at least 4-5 every season for the past 25 years. The past couple seasons under GG were so boring to watch. Before GG was hired, I had honestly only been to maybe 2-3 games where the Flames lost. They used to be so dominant on home ice, and that all went backwards under GG.

I'm not blaming him entirely for the record. But I was just sick and tired of going to games where I knew we would lose. Prices for food/drink were through the roof. The f'ing Dodge Rams and stupid auctions blocking the already crowded halls. Washrooms with huge lines.

I can sit my ass at home and watch from the comfort of my own couch, eat chips/drink beer at 10% of the cost, and go piss anytime. It's a much more comfortable experience overall.

I enjoy going to the 'Dome and it's like not I stopped going because I wanted a new arena. I was just tired of seeing the team lose most home games and still have to fork out a couple hundred buck to do so.

Now that the team is doing better at home, I will hopefully go to a game or 2 and see them win.

[Flamenspiel]

I'll tell you what would be horrible: A new arena with higher prices that still had long bathroom queues and a losing team. You can ask Oiler fans about it.....

[Inglewood Jack]

so far my dome experience this year has consisted of a couple of Mike Smith bed-shirting specials. if I wasn't a veteran fan that might have dimmed my prospects of spending more money. but if they can keep ragdolling opponents for at least a period every game, forcing fans to stand up and cheer 3 or 4 times in the span of half an hour, that's going to start putting butts back in any remaining empty seats again.

[rohara66]

Winning cures everything... including attendance at games.

Beer is more expensive at virtually every other pro stadium (and most its significantly more expensive then the dome) so that's not really a negative to be directed at the Flames specifically.

Show up half an hour early and get a burger and a couple beers for $15.

People will always find stuff to complain about.

[RM14]

Originally Posted by nobles_point

Burke mentioned on Tim & Sid that the main problem with the Dome is an undersized lower bowl that limits the amount of revenue they can generate.

When you look at the seating structure it makes sense.

IMO the first 10 rows or so of the 2nd bowl are better than than a lot of the lower bowl. Row 5 in our 2nd bowl is only about 18 rows from the ice. Because the elevation, it's actually a better view than being in row 18 of Rogers Arena.

But fans hear the word "Lower Bowl" and pay just for that.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Table 5

It may not be for you, but it is for others. The reality is that it's not just one thing... there are many varied and valid reasons to prevent people from going at the moment, and combined they've all resulted in a lower attendance.

At least the Flames are playing entertaining hockey again. Winning can help gloss over a lot of ills.

All I can do is compare with other venues. It seems to be a better fan experience at a lot of places (though some of them don't do as well with tickets sales because of what city they're in). The Vegas game was boring, and the food and drinks were expensive, but the fan experience was terrific and the venue is probably the best in the league.

I suspect that corporate and individual tickets used for business marketing are way down this year in Calgary. I think it's as simple as the economy here.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by rohara66

Winning cures everything... including attendance at games.

Beer is more expensive at virtually every other pro stadium (and most its significantly more expensive then the dome) so that's not really a negative to be directed at the Flames specifically.

Show up half an hour early and get a burger and a couple beers for $15.

People will always find stuff to complain about.

This post is hilarious. Of course people are going to complain about it. Did you miss the posts about unemployment, less spending money, and overall crapper economy? People have less money to spend these days, are noticing that the recession is lingering around longer this time, and overall don't want to spend money to see a team lose on home ice that has a losing record other then a couple recent games for the past 2 years.

I also don't care if beer is more expensive at other arenas. I go to THIS arena. The ''it's more expensive at other places'' is the worst defense ever. I guess we should continue to be sheep and fork out our money just because it costs more in other cities?

And of course I'm going to direct it at the Flames. It's their venue.

You're right though, winning does cure everything. The Flames' have a real good opportunity to put on one of the most special seasons in recent memory this season. I'd love nothing more then to see the 'Dome rocking every night. But as it stands now, many of us just prefer to enjoy it from the comfort of our own homes.

[Incogneto]

Things aren't gonna get better with a new arena...Except less seats for a higher price.

The NHL is pushing HRR as hard as they can, I wonder what the breaking point is.

[Phagoof]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

$14 USD at the Vegas game. For two choices of draft beer.

Vegas is Vegas, this is Calgary.

[Fire]

Food prices is part of the problem, but it really comes done to the ticket prices. It hard to stomach paying over $100 a ticket for most people, including me, when I can watch the game in the comfort of my home for free. Going to the game is usually the better experience for sure, but a $100+ better experience?

[Table 5]

Originally Posted by Incogneto

Things aren't gonna get better with a new arena...Except less seats for a higher price.

The NHL is pushing HRR as hard as they can, I wonder what the breaking point is.

In an ideal world the salary cap should be half of what it is, so teams can build their own infrastructure (you know, like every other business!), and still be able to make a reasonable profit without gouging their fans.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Phagoof

Vegas is Vegas, this is Calgary.

That's true. So what? Are you suggesting food prices are generally higher in Vegas? Because that's just not true.

In Vegas, beer is cheaper than Calgary at a lot of places. Free, in fact, in lots of places.

[Stillman16]

Originally Posted by Table 5

In an ideal world the salary cap should be half of what it is, so teams can build their own infrastructure (you know, like every other business!), and still be able to make a reasonable profit without gouging their fans.

Only problem with this is, greedy owners wont use the extra money to lower ticket prices and build arenas, they’ll still look for the hand outs for the arenas, and not want to “own” them, and their respective costs....

[habernac]

Originally Posted by incogneto

things aren't gonna get better with a new arena...except less seats for a higher price.

The nhl is pushing hrr as hard as they can, i wonder what the breaking point is.

hrr?

[Buff]

The cost to go to a hockey game is just too much now.

I don't even go to WHL games anymore. I have to pay for higher gas and food prices, plus now I'm saving money for home maintenance (windows, roofing, etc). I can't afford entertainment anymore.

[Toonage]

Originally Posted by habernac

hrr?

Hockey Related Revenue

[Flamenspiel]

Originally Posted by Fire

Food prices is part of the problem, but it really comes done to the ticket prices. It hard to stomach paying over $100 a ticket for most people, including me, when I can watch the game in the comfort of my home for free. Going to the game is usually the better experience for sure, but a $100+ better experience?

For me, it depends if they win, if its a win a $100 is cheap. I would say i'd pay 125-150 for a win, 200 for a win over the Oilers or Canucks. I am still thinking about the comeback win against Colorado that i attended, that was worth at least 300 for a pair even though my tickets are way less then that.

At home i usually dose off and rarely get out of my seat, maybe for the Edmonton game i stood up once or twice. A loss is better on tv.