Playoff Attendance

[Sitting Bull]

Eastern Kentucky. 4,973
Weber State. 4,495
SE Louisiana. 3,174
Richmond. 3,000
UNH. 2,989
Furman. 2,717

Odd that the hosts with the two largest crowds, Montana and Delaware, did not release.

I wish I could figure out what’s going on with the NCAA and the hosting schools. It comes across like some shell game. I’m guessing the host school has to cover the submitted bid and then can pocket the remainder? Assume in the case of Montana and Delaware they are trying to squeeze every penny out - or is the NCAA?

[Professor Chaos]

Yeah, I'm not sure what the delay is with Delaware considering they played so early - Montana makes more sense since they played so late. When they report I'll post a comparison of where this year's attendance looks compared to previous years. It's actually looking pretty good so far. If Delaware reports 10k and Montana reports 15k that would make this the highest attended first round of playoff games since the field expanded to 24 in 2013 but those might be optimistic numbers for those final 2 especially for Delaware.

The NCAA takes the bid amount from the host school or 75% of the net receipts (whichever is larger) so you'll see schools get honest in a hurry about attendance in the playoffs when many, if not all, fudge the numbers in the regular season to make them looker larger than they are. They don't count things like the band and other support staff in the playoffs either when I think most places do in the regular season.

[GannonFan]

Word is Delaware is officially reporting 4,629, which for those attendance-reporting-conspiracy theorists out there is about 50% of what the real attendance was yesterday. No way yesterday's crowd was less than 9k. And it's not like student numbers impacted the count, there were virtually no students there yesterday due to the break.

[Professor Chaos]

Word is Delaware is officially reporting 4,629, which for those attendance-reporting-conspiracy theorists out there is about 50% of what the real attendance was yesterday. No way yesterday's crowd was less than 9k. And it's not like student numbers impacted the count, there were virtually no students there yesterday due to the break.
That pisses me off if it's true. The only way the FCS playoffs will ever get more seeds and less regionalization is to become more self-sufficient and you can't do that with schools skimming more than their share of the receipts. The NCAA takes 75% of the net, not the gross but the net, so it's not like schools need to fudge the official attendance lower to avoid losing money. The only way a hosting school loses money in the playoffs is if they overbid.

That said I think we're conditioned everywhere to overestimate the actual attendance because pretty much all of our schools inflate it in the regular season. I'd be curious if anyone has a few good shots of the stands in Delaware yesterday?

[MR. CHICKEN]

That pisses me off if it's true. The only way the FCS playoffs will ever get more seeds and less regionalization is to become more self-sufficient and you can't do that with schools skimming more than their share of the receipts. The NCAA takes 75% of the net, not the gross but the net, so it's not like schools need to fudge the official attendance lower to avoid losing money. The only way a hosting school loses money in the playoffs is if they overbid.

That said I think we're conditioned everywhere to overestimate the actual attendance because pretty much all of our schools inflate it in the regular season. I'd be curious if anyone has a few good shots of the stands in Delaware yesterday?

....GO TO.......ST. FRANCIS PHOTO GALLERY...THREAD.....@ GO HENS...........AWK!

[F'N Hawks]

Based on TV its hard to believe Weber had 4K+ there

[Utgrizfan]

BWhalberg on Egriz said the announced attendance was 22,00 for the Griz vs SEMO but he estimates it to be more around the 12-13k mark while others who attended the game all say it was around half full.

[Professor Chaos]

Here's a rundown of the attendance for Saturday's game ordered by how each home team drew compared to their regular season average (I'm going with what GannonFan said the Delaware attendance is likely to be since they still haven't reported - I'll update it if need be):

Gardner-Webb @ EKU: 4,973 (81.5% of EKU's regular season average of 6,101)
Idaho @ SLU: 3,174 (57.3% of SLU's regular season average of 5,530)
SEMO @ Montana: 13,390 (52.9% of Montana's regular season average of 25,298)
UND @ Weber St: 4,495 (51.0% of Weber St's regular season average of 8,891)
Davidson @ Richmond: 3,000 (41.2% of Richmond's regular season average 7,273)
Elon @ Furman: 2,717 (28.2% of Furman's regular season average of 9,646)
Fordham @ UNH: 2,989 (27.8% of UNH's regular season average of 10,758)
St Francis @ Delaware: 4,629 (27.4% of Delaware's regular season average of 16,902)


The average of 4,921 for the 8 first rounds games isn't that bad considering how tough of a draw it is on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. 2022 ranks 5th in the last 9 years (excluding the spring 2021 playoffs which had attendance restrictions) and the best since 2018 for first round attendance average:

2014: 7,297
2018: 6,373
2015: 5,634
2017: 4,958
2022: 4,921
2013: 4,502
2021: 3,837
2019: 3,598
2016: 3,408

[ursus arctos horribilis]

BWhalberg on Egriz said the announced attendance was 22,00 for the Griz vs SEMO but he estimates it to be more around the 12-13k mark while others who attended the game all say it was around half full.

On the radio both Gurnsey and the Yahtzees said it was more around the 12-16K range at different points. Sure did not look like 22K if they announced that it does not seem legit.

[Sitting Bull]

On the radio both Gurnsey and the Yahtzees said it was more around the 12-16K range at different points. Sure did not look like 22K if they announced that it does not seem legit.

Apparently they announced 13,390 per above analysis which sounds about right based on TV look.
Richmond at 3,000 sounded about right too.
The crowd at SE LA looked light on TV and that number also looks about right.

So other than Delaware, it appears these are quite correct.
Furman and UNH to me are disappointments.

[ncspiderfan]

No students (which are not a great factor) and season tickets holders that never show up at Richmond would make me think the 3000 number is about right.
Stands have been pretty vacant most of year it looked like on Flo Sports broadcast, excepting William and Mary.

[mvemjsunpx]

Apparently they announced 13,390 per above analysis which sounds about right based on TV look.

This is the official number in the box score.

Not counting Spring '21, that's the lowest home attendance for a Griz game since the 1995 victory over then-DII UC Davis.

[UNHWildcat18]

Apparently they announced 13,390 per above analysis which sounds about right based on TV look.
Richmond at 3,000 sounded about right too.
The crowd at SE LA looked light on TV and that number also looks about right.

So other than Delaware, it appears these are quite correct.
Furman and UNH to me are disappointments.

UNH always struggles with first round, I couldn't make it due to work but most of the people who go to games aren't going on thanksgiving weekend. plus all of the students are gone home. Not really disappointed, looked more like 4k from what I saw on TV but whatever.

Seems Furman and their apparently #1 deserving seeded team, didn't resonate with people enough to break up their holiday either.

[FUBeAR]

?..Furman and their apparently #1 deserving seeded team…
You think Furman deserved the #1 Seed? Cool.

Haven’t seen anyone else, including FU GameBreaker, say that.

FUBeAR does agree with you to the extent that he feels Furman should have been seeded.

The Paladins appreciate your support and remember…

#DefundTheCommittee

[Professor Chaos]

2nd round attendance ordered by percent of the regular season average:

Furman @ Incarnate Word: 2,373 (91.4% of UIW's regular season average of 2,596)
SLU @ Samford: 4,587 (82.6% of Samford's regular season average of 5,555)
Weber St @ Montana St: 16,397 (77.1% of Montana St's regular season average of 21,275)
Montana @ NDSU: 12,929 (74.7% of NDSU's regular season average of 17,309)
Gardner-Webb @ William & Mary: 7,110 (70.9% of W&M's regular season average of 10,026
Richmons @ Sac St: 9,136 (58.9% of Sac St's regular season average of 15,502)
UNH @ Holy Cross: 6,265 (52.7% of Holy Cross's regular season average of 11,897)
Delaware @ SDSU: 6,117 (39.3% of SDSU's regular season average of 15,561)

Those are actually pretty good numbers considering the regular season averages. Even though SDSU's percentage from the regular season is low they're up quite a bit from 2nd round games they hosted in 2016-2019 and between the combination of regular season numbers being inflated and postseason numbers not counting things like the bands if you're getting to 70% of your regular season average, which 5 of 8 host teams did, you're doing pretty well. However, the 2nd round average of 8,114 fans per games is the 3rd lowest since the field expanded to 24 in 2013:

2015: 12,440
2021: 11,751
2017: 10,919
2016: 10,960
2019: 9,482
2013: 8,916
2022: 8,114
2014: 7,949
2018: 7,315


Running average through the first 2 rounds shows this year falling into last place:

2015: 9,037
2017: 7,939
2021: 7,794
2014: 7,623
2016: 7,184
2018: 6,844
2013: 6,709
2019: 6,540
2022: 6,518


Hopefully quarterfinal weekend picks things up with all hosting teams averaging over 15k in the regular season.

[Sitting Bull]

There’s always been some question behind the accuracy though I do think the reports are pretty close. The crowd at W&M appeared bigger to me than 7,110 in part because the students packed all their sections. There was only a very small contingent from GW which was disappointing. The crowd overall was loud, responsive and very engaged throughout the game. It was despite the rain and weather gloom a real playoff feel in the stadium. Great day at Zable.

[kdinva]

Surprised UIW didn't have an overflow crowd of 7,000.....maybe they can raise $$$ to get stadium to 13,000 or similar.

[Sitting Bull]

Surprised UIW didn't have an overflow crowd of 7,000.....maybe they can raise $$$ to get stadium to 13,000 or similar.

There is actually a 20,000 seat stadium just miles from IWU that San Antonio has used for years for big high school games and semi pro football. It was called the Rock pile. Not sure if it’s still operating.

[Sader87]

Guessing, but I think there would have been 10K+ at Fitton on a "good weather day"....6K yesterday was impressive for a really bad weather day....

[SpreadTheWord]

There is actually a 20,000 seat stadium just miles from IWU that San Antonio has used for years for big high school games and semi pro football. It was called the Rock pile. Not sure if it’s still operating.

Alamo Stadium is right across HWY 281 from UIW's campus and is still one of the largest high school stadiums in the state of Texas. Not sure how accurate the attendance numbers are for UIW. They haven't scanned my ticket all season long when I walk through the gates. They just have students there looking at your tickets then wave you in. There were at least 3,500 fans in attendance at our game yesterday. Furman travelled well and our entire home side (3,000) was completely full.

[unknown-swac]

As much as people on here claim to love the playoffs, people shonuff don't show up to see the games. And from what I saw, none of em were on cable, only espn+.

[Retro]

I think the numbers are fudged downward due to having to pay the NCAA a certain percentage but it’s a little hard to compete with big FBS games going at same time on all major networks. At least they value the playoffs and play to prove who is the best unlike swac🙄

[Sitting Bull]

As much as people on here claim to love the playoffs, people shonuff don't show up to see the games. And from what I saw, none of em were on cable, only espn+.

Not sure where you are coming from but the response, the crowd, the atmosphere yesterday at Zable was pretty electric. It was a pumped environment. I don’t think you’ve seen squat otherwise you wouldn’t make such an ignorant statement. And it does sound ignorant.

[Professor Chaos]

Quarterfinal attendance figures:

Incarnate Word @ Sac St: 13,722 (88.5% of Sac St's regular season average of 15,502)
Samford @ NDSU: 11,825 (68.3% of NDSU's regular season average of 17,309)
William & Mary @ Montana St: 14,367 (67.5% of Montana St's regular season average of 21,275)
Holy Cross @ SDSU: 6,549 (42.1% of SDSU's regular season average of 15,561)

Very nice showing by Sac St. The quarterfinal average this year stacked up very well compared to previous years ranking 3rd highest since 2013:

2015: 12,688
2016: 11,787
2022: 11,616
2019: 10,842
2017: 10,452
2021: 9,362
2014: 8,250
2018: 8,219
2013: 8,058


That pulled this season out of the cellar for running attendance average through the first 3 rounds:

2015: 9,767
2017: 8,441
2021: 8,108
2016: 8,105
2014: 7,749
2022: 7,537
2019: 7,401
2018: 7,119
2013: 6,979


The semis might be down a bit from previous years - I think optimistic numbers for SDSU would be 10k and for NDSU would be 16k and a 13k average would be behind quite a few other years in terms of average attendance for the semis.

[Catbooster]

Too bad Holy Cross didn't win xdrunkyx

[kab]

I laugh when ndsu talks fbs and think their attendance will increase
it will decrease because they will end up with week night football games because of tv contracts
a lot of their attendance now is from fans from out of town who won’t be going to week night games.
and if they think home games against directional state schools will be well attended I would bet to differ
attendance at most sporting events are down except for the major big boys

[Professor Chaos]

Well, mother nature cost the NCAA (and the host schools) some money this week I think - it was ugly attendance compared to previous years but I still think it wasn't that bad considering the conditions to get to these games (and for fans at the SDSU/Montana St game the conditions at the game).

Incarnate Word @ NDSU: 12,569 (72.6% of NDSU's regular season average of 17,309)
Montana St @ SDSU: 7,195 (46.2% of SDSU's regular season average of 15,561)

This year was last by quite a bit in terms of average semifinal attendance since 2013:

2015: 20,899
2021: 18,504
2017: 17,404
2019: 14,282
2014: 13,752
2018: 12,908
2013: 12,452
2016: 11,758
2022: 9,882


Running average through the semifinals shows 2022 near the bottom but still above a couple previous years:

2015: 10,779
2017: 9,256
2021: 9,053
2016: 8,437
2014: 8,294
2019: 8,026
2022: 7,750
2018: 7,645
2013: 7,476


7th out of 9 is likely where 2022 finishes. We'd need 24k in Frisco to pass 2019 which isn't possible and we'd need about 15.5k to stay ahead of 2018 which is fairly doable to for two fan bases that I think should travel pretty well. Toyota Stadium's capacity used to be about 22k including standing room before 2016 when they renovated the south endzone but now it's only about 18-19k when you include standing room.

[FUBeAR]

Perhaps, if we’re really creative, we can find a way to hold the mid-December FCS Semi-Finals in a location outside of the Arctic Circle next year…or we can continue to have polar bears and musk oxen outnumber the human Football Fans attending the games.

[Preferred Walk-On]

Just wanted to say that with last week’s snow event (and clearing significant snow every, single, day for the past five days), kudos to those that showed out for their teams in both Fargo and Brookings this past weekend. Just driving from one side of town to the other to get to the Fargodome was a chore, so I completely understand for those that wanted to or even planned to come out and just couldn’t. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Frisco.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Professor Chaos]

Perhaps, if we’re really creative, we can find a way to hold the mid-December FCS Semi-Finals in a location outside of the Arctic Circle next year…or we can continue to have polar bears and musk oxen outnumber the human Football Fans attending the games.
I doubt you'd get more than what these two games got at a warm weather neutral location with one week to sell tickets. Would've been thousands of fans between the 3 northern schools who would've been unable to travel due to weather even if they had tickets. Sometimes mother nature wins in mid-December... this was one of those years.

[Gil Dobie]

I laugh when ndsu talks fbs and think their attendance will increase
it will decrease because they will end up with week night football games because of tv contracts
a lot of their attendance now is from fans from out of town who won’t be going to week night games.
and if they think home games against directional state schools will be well attended I would bet to differ
attendance at most sporting events are down except for the major big boys

Who wants to go FBS? it's mostly other schools fans that are telling us to get out of FCS, so they have a chance to win.

[Sitting Bull]

Just wanted to say that with last week’s snow event (and clearing significant snow every, single, day for the past five days), kudos to those that showed out for their teams in both Fargo and Brookings this past weekend. Just driving from one side of town to the other to get to the Fargodome was a chore, so I completely understand for those that wanted to or even planned to come out and just couldn’t. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Frisco.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agree. I thought the crowds were pretty impressive, particularly the showing at SDSU yesterday, given the conditions.

I looked this morning and tickets for Frisco look very tight already. We have an outstanding championship set. I wouldn’t be surprised if the game sells out prior to the New Year.

[FUBeAR]

I doubt you'd get more than what these two games got at a warm weather neutral location with one week to sell tickets. Would've been thousands of fans between the 3 northern schools who would've been unable to travel due to weather even if they had tickets. Sometimes mother nature wins in mid-December... this was one of those years.
FUBeAR said “really creative”…how about with 2 weeks…or even 3 weeks lead time AND a single, known-well-in-advance location for all 4 Teams playing a double-header, that people might go to (the location and/or the game(s)) anyway…even if their Team didn’t make the semi’s…and maybe there’s a coordinating ‘partner’ that creates a ‘market’ for highly transferable travel, accommodations, and ticket ‘packages’ to reduce/eliminate risk of advance purchasing.

We have enough data to KNOW that Teams from Arctic climes are going to be involved in late round FCS Playoff games … and that data goes back to the late 70’s. And we know the later in the year, the more likely we are going to have horrendous travel and/or playing conditions…leading to poor attendance and bad football…as fun as it is to romanticize ‘the frozen tundra’ aspect…it’s really not a good look for the FCS game.

But hey…MVFC & Big Sky Teams/fans are happy with the status quo of their Post Season Invitational Tournament, so let’s just keep doing that…instead.

[Sitting Bull]

Who wants to go FBS? it's mostly other schools fans that are telling us to get out of FCS, so they have a chance to win.

It seems to me to be more prominent from these G5 architects. Thats because most of them know they’ve jumped into a cesspool and are desperate for any other programs that may help make their dumpster fire leagues look more legit. They could care less about ND State fans, rivalries, traditions.

I think most people in FCS admire the Bison program. It’s a measure to shoot for.

[GAD]

I laugh when ndsu talks fbs and think their attendance will increase
it will decrease because they will end up with week night football games because of tv contracts
a lot of their attendance now is from fans from out of town who won’t be going to week night games.
and if they think home games against directional state schools will be well attended I would bet to differ
attendance at most sporting events are down except for the major big boys
NDSU would be fine they already play directional state schools in FCS and fill the place.
Home and home with teams like Marshall, App State, Georgia Southern, and James Madison would be a huge draw

[Catbooster]

NDSU would be fine they already play directional state schools in FCS and fill the place.
Home and home with teams like Marshall, App State, Georgia Southern, and James Madison would be a huge draw
Would a home and home with Wyoming, UNLV, New Mexico be a huge draw at your school?

[GAD]

Would a home and home with Wyoming, UNLV, New Mexico be a huge draw at your school?
xdontknowxWe would likely get about 20k

[JacksFan40]

Perhaps, if we’re really creative, we can find a way to hold the mid-December FCS Semi-Finals in a location outside of the Arctic Circle next year…or we can continue to have polar bears and musk oxen outnumber the human Football Fans attending the games.
Maybe the teams from the warmer parts of the country should learn how to win in the playoffs.

[mango433]

Just wanted to say that with last week’s snow event (and clearing significant snow every, single, day for the past five days), kudos to those that showed out for their teams in both Fargo and Brookings this past weekend. Just driving from one side of town to the other to get to the Fargodome was a chore, so I completely understand for those that wanted to or even planned to come out and just couldn’t. Looking forward to seeing everyone in Frisco.


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Drove over from Pierre to Brookings Saturday morning. I was questioning my choice up to about an hour after we left. That's when the roads became clearer and it was smooth sailing from there. So happy I was there.

[ysubigred]

Attendance is going to keep falling at all levels except the big guys..

Hell, I can watch every game from DIII to the power 5 from the comforts of my man cave.

Streaming espn + & 3 is killing in person human viewing.

xtwocentsx

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

[Sitting Bull]

Maybe the teams from the warmer parts of the country should learn how to win in the playoffs.

The bigger issue is the better FCS programs from the South have basically become the Sun Belt Conference.

[Gil Dobie]

Attendance is going to keep falling at all levels except the big guys..

Hell, I can watch every game from DIII to the power 5 from the comforts of my man cave.

Streaming espn + & 3 is killing in person human viewing.

xtwocentsx

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

Talked to a guy yesterday. His father wouldn't take him to game as a child. His father firmly believed, for football, the superior watching experience is at home from the recliner.

[ElCid]

Talked to a guy yesterday. His father wouldn't take him to game as a child. His father firmly believed, for football, the superior watching experience is at home from the recliner.

Well there is the replay aspect of it. Big screen stadium replays are not normally that good, reliable. LOL. It obviously has to do with changes in people's desire for sociability, or lack of, as well. A game is a social event, especially for the passive fans. Take that away and attendance will drop. Throw in something like the virus, and that solidifies the habits. Throw in costs lately and it condemns attendance figures to a steady decline.

[jacksfan29!]

Attendance is going to keep falling at all levels except the big guys..

Hell, I can watch every game from DIII to the power 5 from the comforts of my man cave.

Streaming espn + & 3 is killing in person human viewing.

xtwocentsx

Sent from my SM-G990U using Tapatalk

SOME big guys. Have you watched a UCLA game recently? The stadium is empty, even against USC it was not full.

[UAalum72]

SOME big guys. Have you watched a UCLA game recently? The stadium is empty, even against USC it was not full.
Yea, the opener vs Bowling Green this year set a Rose Bowl record low of 27,143 (announced), would've taken the crown from Yale for most empty seats except they have tarps reducing capacity to under 75k
UCLA has been over 45.000 only for the USC game which was 70K.