2022 Cavalry FC and CPL Thread

[TheIronMaiden]

It dawned on me that the only way to avoid having the finals in an empty CFL stadium is by Pacific and Cavalry winning. Do it for the culture!

[Swift]

Anyone else not seeing their playoff tickets in their account? I got the email yesterday saying the playoff tickets request was processed and my card would be charged. I then just now got a text saying I have end of day today to claim my seats. I logged into my account and don't see any tickets, invoices etc.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by Swift

Anyone else not seeing their playoff tickets in their account? I got the email yesterday saying the playoff tickets request was processed and my card would be charged. I then just now got a text saying I have end of day today to claim my seats. I logged into my account and don't see any tickets, invoices etc.

Mine were there under invoices a couple of days ago.

[Swift]

Phoned them and got it sorted.

[shermanator]

Oliver Minatel announced his retirement today. Mentioned that he was never fully able to regain his fitness after breaking his leg in 2020. Massive bummer.

[Party Elephant]

Originally Posted by shermanator

Oliver Minatel announced his retirement today. Mentioned that he was never fully able to regain his fitness after breaking his leg in 2020. Massive bummer.

He was very fun to watch before the injury. Bummer indeed.

[shermanator]

For the attendance nerds, Cavalry finished with an average attendance of 3492. Up 37% over 2021 and up 6% over 2019. Solid growth in that area that I hope continues to improve.

[ditty]

Originally Posted by shermanator

For the attendance nerds, Cavalry finished with an average attendance of 3492. Up 37% over 2021 and up 6% over 2019. Solid growth in that area that I hope continues to improve.

I'm optimistic that the club has built real positive momentum heading into next season. I'm hoping that weekend games next year regularly draw 4500-5000 and that the floor for attendance during the week or early in the season doesn't drop below 3000. My hope is that the club can average around 4000 next season and draw a sellout or something close to that once or twice. I think they've developed a unique game-day experience and the atmosphere that the Foot Soldiers and other supporters groups have created has been a real key to that.

[Jimmy Stang]

I think that's a nice little increase over 2019 considering the small matter of a pandemic kicking the league (and everyone) in the pants. Many years of steady growth ahead, hopefully.

[shermanator]

Half the league is seeing their fan bases remain steady or grow while the other half lost a boatload of fans after 2019 and are slowly getting them back.

For me, Cavalry and Ottawa are the clubs that have the most momentum right now. Both have a combination of ownership groups that spend money to put out a good product, a good game day experience, solid results on the pitch, and supporters groups that are growing and bringing a fun atmosphere to games. I think the Foot Soldiers are actually shrinking a bit but it's due to people migrating to the other supporters groups as they find the group that best aligns with how they want to watch the game.

I think Forge gave away a lot of tickets in 2019 and that's no longer the case. Valour have the same problems FC Edmonton had during their NASL days; an ownership group that doesn't invest in the club, a stadium unsuitable for pro soccer (albeit a very nice stadium), poor results on the pitch and a dwindling supporters group. York flat out lied about their attendance in 2019 and we all know Edmonton's problems.

In the end, the important thing is that all 8 clubs have more butts in seats than they did in 2021. And with a proper offseason that doesn't have a pandemic looming over it, hopefully the story in 2023 is much of the same.

[The Big Chill]

Hopefully Edmonton can get their sh*t together. As fun as they are to laugh at, they are a vital piece to the league.

[Jimmy Stang]

It really is a shame that more than half of the clubs are in stadiums that are not ideal. Edmonton is small enough, but the pitch is quite some distance away (and the stands are mostly empty). Ottawa, Forge, and Winnipeg are in CFL stadiums which are miles from the pitch and way too big to create a good atmosphere. And York... yikes.

Pacific, Halifax, and of course Cavalry are the only places that have facilities that are appropriate to the sport and scale of the CPL.

I whined a bit in the early days about the location of Spruce Meadows being a barrier to getting fans out (I live in the far NW), and it might still be to some, but the gameday experience and atmosphere totally offsets that. Plus the owners have deep pockets and are committed. Can't beat that.

But can you imagine not having Spruce Meadows now? Or even worse, playing at a place like McMahon? We are very lucky.

The venue impacts the experience, and the experience is what will keep growing attendance.

[Muta]

The intimate / old-school English-style atmosphere at ATCO Field, combined with the amenities and beauty of Spruce Meadows itself around the 90 mins, has really helped create that special football feel. The completion of Stoney Trail has really helped too - unreal how fast you can get to Spruce Meadows from downtown (I've done 15 mins or less!)

I feel like the Cavs are definitely building momentum. There's more people in the stands, our supporters sections look roudy and fun AF on TV, and I'm starting to see and hear all things Cavalry away form the stadium now (billboards, car decals, discussion, etc.). Every time I wear my Cavalry jacket in public, someone is asking me about them.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

Hopefully Edmonton can get their sh*t together. As fun as they are to laugh at, they are a vital piece to the league.

The problem with Edmonton is that the league (or maybe the old owners, I don't totally know how this works) is looking for an ownership group to pay money for the privilege of losing millions of dollars a year on a professional soccer team. That's an awfully tough sell. It shouldn't be a surprise that as they stand, FC Edmonton are completely unattractive to potential ownership groups. Few season ticket holders, terrible game day experience, limited revenue potential at home games, dwindling supporters groups and a losing brand.

IMO there shouldn't even be a need for a bid to buy the club, as why would any investor want to pay money for the right to lose millions a year? Any financially solid group willing to take over funding the club while putting out something resembling a professional product should be accepted. That's not what's going to happen, but it's what should happen.

When looking at Edmonton's situation, I think it highlights just how good Spruce Meadows has been for professional soccer in this city so far. They're putting their money where their mouths are and it's starting to pay off. Not all clubs have the same luxury.

[Jimmy Stang]

Originally Posted by Muta

The intimate / old-school English-style atmosphere at ATCO Field, combined with the amenities and beauty of Spruce Meadows itself around the 90 mins, has really helped create that special football feel. The completion of Stoney Trail has really helped too - unreal how fast you can get to Spruce Meadows from downtown (I've done 15 mins or less!)

Even with the best part yet to open, it has shaved the drive from the NW down by about 10-15 minutes. It takes about 35 minutes for me now, vs. 45-50 before. Not having to deal with Glenmore, 14th, Macleod, etc. is a big win already.

[Swift]

Originally Posted by Muta

The intimate / old-school English-style atmosphere at ATCO Field

I think the west side prevents it from being a truly intimate atmosphere, though I imagine there was no way around that with the existing infrastructure that was there. Ideally (discounting reality) I'd like to see some seating installed on that empty green space.

Actually, I've always wondered... who sits over there? Do people watch the game from the pavilion, or are they inside watching it on a screen with bar service? And what about that little stand? Are they freebie/discounted seats? Seems like that would be a crappy view of the game.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Swift

I think the west side prevents it from being a truly intimate atmosphere, though I imagine there was no way around that with the existing infrastructure that was there. Ideally (discounting reality) I'd like to see some seating installed on that empty green space.

Actually, I've always wondered... who sits over there? Do people watch the game from the pavilion, or are they inside watching it on a screen with bar service? And what about that little stand? Are they freebie/discounted seats? Seems like that would be a crappy view of the game.

I think some of the media sits over there? I'm not too sure. It seems like it would be less than ideal though. I'm hopeful that one day we'll fill the place regularly and they'll build a stand on that side anyway and close it in. That's probably a pipe dream, but it would be cool.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Swift

I think the west side prevents it from being a truly intimate atmosphere, though I imagine there was no way around that with the existing infrastructure that was there. Ideally (discounting reality) I'd like to see some seating installed on that empty green space.

Actually, I've always wondered... who sits over there? Do people watch the game from the pavilion, or are they inside watching it on a screen with bar service? And what about that little stand? Are they freebie/discounted seats? Seems like that would be a crappy view of the game.

Officers club gets you a ticket in 105. That area is just where people hang out before and after.

[shermanator]

Originally Posted by Slava

I think some of the media sits over there? I'm not too sure. It seems like it would be less than ideal though. I'm hopeful that one day we'll fill the place regularly and they'll build a stand on that side anyway and close it in. That's probably a pipe dream, but it would be cool.

That won't happen. If Spruce Meadows starts selling out regularly they'll build that 12000 seat stadium where the All Canada ring is now.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by shermanator

That won't happen. If Spruce Meadows starts selling out regularly they'll build that 12000 seat stadium where the All Canada ring is now.

I don't actually know where that ring is. My only real experience with Spruce Meadows is the Christmas Market and Cavalry. I'm sure the show jumping is fun and all, but it's just not my thing!

Anyway, the 12,000 seater sounds awesome (unless its a 10,000 seater and 2,000 safe standing!)