MLS Attendance Likely to Increase Again Next Year

[Jntg4]

KC will have a full season in their new stadium.
Portland is expanding their stadium after selling out just about every game (and extra 2K or so seats).
Saputo Stadium holds over 20,000, which is higher than MLS average attendance, and a lot of interest is expected for Montreal's inaugural season (they have no NFL, MLB, or NBA; CFL is one game per week, so they only get a home game once every other week; NHL is winter; so that, coupled with general interest already shown, projects a high attendance).
Sounders continue to get even more popular.
Houston is moving into their new stadium, and out of the college football stadium.

Can't wait for San Jose to move into a stadium that holds more than 10K!

 

[Jntg4]

An average attendance of 11K as an NASL team means that 18-20K shouldn't be a problem as an MLS team.

 

[nickofypres]

Well, they are adding a new team. So of course its going to increase.

 

[Jntg4]

Well, they are adding a new team. So of course its going to increase.

No, it is per-game average I am referring to, so if the new team draws poorly, the whole league's number actually can go down.

 

[Houston]

Go Dynamos!

 

[giaco]

yeah, go creamsicles.

 

[Jntg4]

Sounders are getting new turf and will have the Hawks Nest seats open all season. = Attendance going up even more.

 

[Jntg4]

Mapp and (if kept) Ching will ensure that Montreal will sell out most of the time IMO.

 

[giaco]

Ching won't be staying in Montreal--if he even gets his cowardly ass up there. Houston will make the trade or Ching will retire. simple as.

As for attendance, as you know, I really am not to big on attendance numbers as a key driver in the league. While I know and recognise it's importance, it is brand-building and stability that really rule the sports landscape. As long as the league stays fiscally prudent (with the occasional splash of cash), people will recognise it as being there and accepting it--which will long-term lead to more and more people coming. I know it's slower growth than many hope for, but as long as the TV contracts improve (which they have been) and the league is seen by more (overall exposure), they asses in the seats will happen.

I am, optimistic, about that.

 

[Jntg4]

IK, but right now our attendance being better than those of 2 other major leagues are a major part of the argument for persuading people that we are a major league.

The attendance is what separates us from Box Lacrosse, Arena Football, Women's Basketball, and Field Lacrosse. They all have decent TV contracts and some even get higher TV ratings, but our attendance crushes theirs and beats out 2 major leagues, which is part of why we are a 1st tier major league.

So I do care about it, just because it shows how successful our league has been and shows that more and more people are embracing it in addition to the already dedicated fans whose passion for their teams are unheard of in other American sports.

 

[DCguy]

The fact that the league has teams from other countries signing and attempting to sign MLS players show that the league is starting to gain respect around the world.

So I see the attendance numbers validating their growth as a league. Growth as being seen as a legitimate league that has teams that worked to have their franchises build relationships in the communities they play in. All fledging leagues have done that and the MLS is successfully doing that and the attendance numbers show that to the average observer.

 

[Jntg4]

:yep: Well said DC.

 

[giaco]

IK, but right now our attendance being better than those of 2 other major leagues are a major part of the argument for persuading people that we are a major league.

The attendance is what separates us from Box Lacrosse, Arena Football, Women's Basketball, and Field Lacrosse. They all have decent TV contracts and some even get higher TV ratings, but our attendance crushes theirs and beats out 2 major leagues, which is part of why we are a 1st tier major league.

So I do care about it, just because it shows how successful our league has been and shows that more and more people are embracing it in addition to the already dedicated fans whose passion for their teams are unheard of in other American sports.

Well said. You're getting better at this you know.

 

[Jntg4]

Seattle expanded from 35K seats to 38K seats... another good sign for the league. PPL Park is expected to expand again in coming seasons.

 

[firefan2001]

Let's hope that our attendance goes up......

 

[Jntg4]

^Ya, we're lagging behind... how long is the lease on Toyota Park?