Section 322 was almost completely empty at the start of the game.
Montreal is not a good sports town.
WJC: Attendance
- Thread starter FuriousSenator
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Section 322 was almost completely empty at the start of the game.
Montreal is not a good sports town.
Correction: Montreal is not a town of fools [mod]. All for the luxury of seeing teenagers chase a black disc while being fed some nonsensical patriotic BS from TSN and the rest of Canada.
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Attendance good in Toronto and weak in Montreal.
But TSN WJ ratings have blown away NHL ratings.
Top 4 sports programs on English tv last week were all WJ.
1. World junior hockey, Canada vs. Slovakia, Friday, TSN: 2,478,000
2. World juniors, Canada vs. Finland, Monday, TSN: 2,240,000
3. World juniors, Canada vs. Germany, Saturday, TSN: 2,072,000
4. World juniors, Finland-U.S/Denmark-Russia., Friday, TSN: 1,123,000
8. World juniors, Slovakia vs. Finland, Saturday, TSN: 611,000
12. World juniors, Denmark vs. Sweden, Saturday, TSN: 492,0000
13. World juniors, U.S. vs. Slovakia, Monday, TSN: 416,000
14. World juniors, U.S. vs Germany, Sunday, TSN2: 331,000
18. World juniors, Sweden vs. Russia, Monday, TSN: 206,000
19. World juniors, Switzerland vs. Czech Republic, Friday, TSN: 200,000
21. World juniors, Switzerland vs. Russia, Sunday, TSN2: 162,000
25. World juniors, Switzerland vs. Czech Republic, Saturday, TSN: 124,000
TSN reports it was the most-watched channel in the country on the days that Canada's juniors played. Saturday's Slovakia-Finland game drew more viewers than Rogers' Sunday night game between Vancouver and Anaheim. Canada-Germany junior game was more than double the HNIC audience.
And RDS averaging more than 500,000 viewers for Canada's games.
But TSN WJ ratings have blown away NHL ratings.
Top 4 sports programs on English tv last week were all WJ.
1. World junior hockey, Canada vs. Slovakia, Friday, TSN: 2,478,000
2. World juniors, Canada vs. Finland, Monday, TSN: 2,240,000
3. World juniors, Canada vs. Germany, Saturday, TSN: 2,072,000
4. World juniors, Finland-U.S/Denmark-Russia., Friday, TSN: 1,123,000
8. World juniors, Slovakia vs. Finland, Saturday, TSN: 611,000
12. World juniors, Denmark vs. Sweden, Saturday, TSN: 492,0000
13. World juniors, U.S. vs. Slovakia, Monday, TSN: 416,000
14. World juniors, U.S. vs Germany, Sunday, TSN2: 331,000
18. World juniors, Sweden vs. Russia, Monday, TSN: 206,000
19. World juniors, Switzerland vs. Czech Republic, Friday, TSN: 200,000
21. World juniors, Switzerland vs. Russia, Sunday, TSN2: 162,000
25. World juniors, Switzerland vs. Czech Republic, Saturday, TSN: 124,000
TSN reports it was the most-watched channel in the country on the days that Canada's juniors played. Saturday's Slovakia-Finland game drew more viewers than Rogers' Sunday night game between Vancouver and Anaheim. Canada-Germany junior game was more than double the HNIC audience.
And RDS averaging more than 500,000 viewers for Canada's games.
While it's true this leg of the tournament has been a disaster, I would put that more on the shoulders of Hockey Canada than the good people of Montreal.
Fact: there is no "payoff" for the fans in Montreal. Canada's preliminary games were played here, but no game with any true meaning, unless you count QF games Canada does not participate in. Face it - the preliminary round is a glorified exhibition series. What's really at stake?
When tickets were put on sale in Montreal you were obligated to buy a 12 game package - same as Toronto. However, as noted above, most of the games in the package were meaningless. People in Montreal will not be duped into believing Canada/Germany, or even Canada/Finland is a premium game. There was exactly one premium game in the package: Canada/USA - again, a glorified precursor to the games that REALLY count. Why are Toronto's packages sold out you ask? Because the value of seeing Canada's QF, SF, and medal round game is worth the price of the entire package to people. When the tables are turned in 2017, you will see a different reaction in both cities most likely.
- Once the packages in Montreal did not sell, they tried mini-packages, which were also a rip off, as they generally only included 1-2 Canadian games.
- Single game tickets were then put on sale. Too late and too expensive. $100 for good tickets to non-Canada games. $150 for the same tickets to Canada games? Not to mention, by this time the ticket buying public saw that organizers were desperate, that supply would outweigh demand, and you'd be a sucker to line Hockey Canada's pockets in paying full price.
So there you have it. Solid reasons things went down like they did. I live in Montreal, follow all levels of hockey, but was happy to pay $40 for 2 tickets to Canada/Switzerland, pay NOTHING for Canada/Germany (volunteers were given fistfuls of tickets to give away), $30 for tickets right behind the US bench for USA/Germany - awesome, awesome tickets, and again freebies for Canada/Finland.
Two last things:
- the lower bowl was empty yesterday as again, prices were ridiculous for what the game meant. The upper bowl, tickets people could somewhat afford, was full.
- Toronto had a way more compelling pool with Russia, Sweden, and the Czechs, not to mention the Danes who became the darlings of the tournament, and ALL the important games.
I would call the people in Montreal too savvy to be taken in by the tricks that dupe small town folk. Besides - when the tourney was in Ottawa, for instance, at least the local fans were rewarded with being able to see the big games!
Sorry - but this is on the organizers!
Fact: there is no "payoff" for the fans in Montreal. Canada's preliminary games were played here, but no game with any true meaning, unless you count QF games Canada does not participate in. Face it - the preliminary round is a glorified exhibition series. What's really at stake?
When tickets were put on sale in Montreal you were obligated to buy a 12 game package - same as Toronto. However, as noted above, most of the games in the package were meaningless. People in Montreal will not be duped into believing Canada/Germany, or even Canada/Finland is a premium game. There was exactly one premium game in the package: Canada/USA - again, a glorified precursor to the games that REALLY count. Why are Toronto's packages sold out you ask? Because the value of seeing Canada's QF, SF, and medal round game is worth the price of the entire package to people. When the tables are turned in 2017, you will see a different reaction in both cities most likely.
- Once the packages in Montreal did not sell, they tried mini-packages, which were also a rip off, as they generally only included 1-2 Canadian games.
- Single game tickets were then put on sale. Too late and too expensive. $100 for good tickets to non-Canada games. $150 for the same tickets to Canada games? Not to mention, by this time the ticket buying public saw that organizers were desperate, that supply would outweigh demand, and you'd be a sucker to line Hockey Canada's pockets in paying full price.
So there you have it. Solid reasons things went down like they did. I live in Montreal, follow all levels of hockey, but was happy to pay $40 for 2 tickets to Canada/Switzerland, pay NOTHING for Canada/Germany (volunteers were given fistfuls of tickets to give away), $30 for tickets right behind the US bench for USA/Germany - awesome, awesome tickets, and again freebies for Canada/Finland.
Two last things:
- the lower bowl was empty yesterday as again, prices were ridiculous for what the game meant. The upper bowl, tickets people could somewhat afford, was full.
- Toronto had a way more compelling pool with Russia, Sweden, and the Czechs, not to mention the Danes who became the darlings of the tournament, and ALL the important games.
I would call the people in Montreal too savvy to be taken in by the tricks that dupe small town folk. Besides - when the tourney was in Ottawa, for instance, at least the local fans were rewarded with being able to see the big games!
Sorry - but this is on the organizers!
CarlWinslow
@hiphopsicles
Glad to see consumers finally speaking with their wallets. This needs to happen way more often in this country, not just with sports either. We get gouged in so many ways but we just accept it. Time to stop accepting it. Good job Montreal.
Very solid post.
Exactly why I decided to go to Kingston and see the U.S.A/Sweden. 7th row center ice, 35 bucks.
This (^^^) sums it up and is the reason why I believe Montreal WILL sell out in 2017.
leafsfuture
Registered User
- Mar 30, 2008
- 6,134
- 184
I was at the game yesterday.
Arena was 90% full, with, the 10% missing seats being mainly in the last 5-6 rows of the lower bowl at the ends of both nets. However, by the end of the game, most of these seats were full (maybe fans moving down)
Anyways, the first period sounded like the first period at ACC during a weekday game. The crowd was pretty quiet and the arena stereo system felt like it was trying to force more noise.
HOWEVER the 2nd and 3rd periods saw the arena become rocking. There were chants of "Deeeeeemmmmko!"..... "Domi, Domi"..... "Canada, Canada". And there were loud cheers after every goal. And of course, we know Max Domi was the hero. Every time he got his feet moving, it was like the crowd was watching Subban skate.
Despite the mocking of Demko for much of the game, he got a good round of applause when he was given the US player of the game award. He was terrific.
Last, after Domi was given his player of the game award, there was a shot of his dad Tie in the stands, and the crowd gave a quick roar of support. Never seen that for the Leafs enforcer. Never thought I would ever see that
Arena was 90% full, with, the 10% missing seats being mainly in the last 5-6 rows of the lower bowl at the ends of both nets. However, by the end of the game, most of these seats were full (maybe fans moving down)
Anyways, the first period sounded like the first period at ACC during a weekday game. The crowd was pretty quiet and the arena stereo system felt like it was trying to force more noise.
HOWEVER the 2nd and 3rd periods saw the arena become rocking. There were chants of "Deeeeeemmmmko!"..... "Domi, Domi"..... "Canada, Canada". And there were loud cheers after every goal. And of course, we know Max Domi was the hero. Every time he got his feet moving, it was like the crowd was watching Subban skate.
Despite the mocking of Demko for much of the game, he got a good round of applause when he was given the US player of the game award. He was terrific.
Last, after Domi was given his player of the game award, there was a shot of his dad Tie in the stands, and the crowd gave a quick roar of support. Never seen that for the Leafs enforcer. Never thought I would ever see that
When it is all said and done, they will make more money than any of us think. It will be a financial success.
SidGenoMario
Registered User
Rocko604
Sports will break your heart.
I think/hope 2017 will be the last time Hockey Canada tries the "two big city" method after this year's attendance problems. If the entire tournament had been in Montreal, with Group B games in places like Shawinigan or Rimouski, it would be a completely different turnout. Not only would Montreal get all the groupe games, but the medal round as well, and the pricing would have been structured to add that incnetive.
As already been mentioned, what incentive is it to pay the most expensive tickets in this tournaments history for just a group game? It's not like Calgary/Edmonton where if you bought group tickets in Edmonton, Calgary was just a 2.5 hour drive to catch medal round games.
As much hype goes into this tournament, and yes, the hockey has been great, it's NOT the NHL, and for Hockey Canada to be charging near Stanley Cup or Olympic Gold Medal prices is idiotic and is just straight up greedy.
As already been mentioned, what incentive is it to pay the most expensive tickets in this tournaments history for just a group game? It's not like Calgary/Edmonton where if you bought group tickets in Edmonton, Calgary was just a 2.5 hour drive to catch medal round games.
As much hype goes into this tournament, and yes, the hockey has been great, it's NOT the NHL, and for Hockey Canada to be charging near Stanley Cup or Olympic Gold Medal prices is idiotic and is just straight up greedy.
They will likely have one large arena and one small one most of the time. With so many CHL arena's TV ready, having TV coverage won't be an issue - keeping TSN happy.
I like it better than the NHL and would pay big bucks to see the WJR's before I would pay to see the Leafs or Habs. I just think you need to be rewarded, with medal rounds that year, to sell the packages. Saying to someone, you have to pay big bucks to watch round robin games where only 20% of the teams are eliminated and you will NOT get to see medal games for another 2 years, won't work.
After seeing the TSN ratings for all of the games, I disagree that we will never see 2 large arenas again.
FuriousSenator
Registered User
Some updated numbers for the past few games. Official attendance:
Finland vs. Canada (Bell Centre) : 15,718
Slovakia vs. Germany (Bell Centre) : 5,568
Canada vs. United States (Bell Centre) : 18,295 (3 or 4 thousand under a sell out)
Germany vs. Finland (Bell Centre) : 3,991
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Sweden vs. Russia (Air Canada Centre) : 16,720
Switzerland vs. Denmark (Air Canada Centre) : 13,263
Switzerland vs. Sweden (Air Canada Centre) : 13,857
Russia vs. Czech Republic (Air Canada Centre) : 12,566
Again for the record I honestly believe the prices are way too high for a tournament of little international significance but I digress.
Finland vs. Canada (Bell Centre) : 15,718
Slovakia vs. Germany (Bell Centre) : 5,568
Canada vs. United States (Bell Centre) : 18,295 (3 or 4 thousand under a sell out)
Germany vs. Finland (Bell Centre) : 3,991
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sweden vs. Russia (Air Canada Centre) : 16,720
Switzerland vs. Denmark (Air Canada Centre) : 13,263
Switzerland vs. Sweden (Air Canada Centre) : 13,857
Russia vs. Czech Republic (Air Canada Centre) : 12,566
Again for the record I honestly believe the prices are way too high for a tournament of little international significance but I digress.
I, like a lot of Canadians here, love TSN and dislike Sportsnet and I was sad to see TSN lose the NHL National package - I believe Rogers overpaid.
I know stats can be split to reflect what you want them to reflect (and that may be what I am doing now) but in the last 5 years, during one of the great bull markets, Rogers stock is only up 38% - while Bell (owner of TSN) is up 84% and Telus (other major telecom in Canada) is up 146%. Seems the market doesn't think much of their moves either.
Anyway, it is nice to see the World Juniors kick Roger's ass this weekend.
JC Numminen
#goldrush
Completely agree.
My homer vote would be Winnipeg/Brandon MB. Winnipeg getting Canada's group in a 15,000 seat arena that will be rocking (and sold out). Brandon gets the other group in the 5100 seat Westman Place. Would also be sold out every game.
As for this year? I guess its not terrible. It looks awful on tv, but they are still getting an average of probably, what, 10000(?) every game in Montreal for junior hockey at $70 a ticket x 3 games a day? That is still good revenue. Especially when you factor in beer and food sales.
Vancouver/Kelowna?
Completely agree.
My homer vote would be Winnipeg/Brandon MB. Winnipeg getting Canada's group in a 15,000 seat arena that will be rocking (and sold out). Brandon gets the other group in the 5100 seat Westman Place. Would also be sold out every game.
As for this year? I guess its not terrible. It looks awful on tv, but they are still getting an average of probably, what, 10000(?) every game in Montreal for junior hockey at $70 a ticket x 3 games a day? That is still good revenue. Especially when you factor in beer and food sales.
Vancouver/Kelowna?
I think TSN will have more of a say than in the past. Money talks and those TV numbers will mean that TSN will want as many games on TV as possible. That may mean larger venues.
Uncle Rotter
Registered User
So you want to run the Alouettes out of town too? Bring back the Montreal Machine I guess.
Rocko604
Sports will break your heart.
Completely agree.
My homer vote would be Winnipeg/Brandon MB. Winnipeg getting Canada's group in a 15,000 seat arena that will be rocking (and sold out). Brandon gets the other group in the 5100 seat Westman Place. Would also be sold out every game.
As for this year? I guess its not terrible. It looks awful on tv, but they are still getting an average of probably, what, 10000(?) every game in Montreal for junior hockey at $70 a ticket x 3 games a day? That is still good revenue. Especially when you factor in beer and food sales.
Vancouver/Kelowna?
I'd have no doubts Winnipeg/Brandon would put on an excellent tournament.
If it comes back to Vancouver (which I believe Ron Toigo, owner of the Vancouver Giants is going to be looking towards since he lost the 2016 Memorial Cup bid), expect to see Victoria as the other host city. No source for this at all, just that they are now a WHL city and their arena is more than suitable for the non-Canada group games.
Your dismissive attitudes are hilarious. Apparently you only will watch millionaires chase a black disc.
Everything has a certain value. The juniors are not worth the money they are asking. Not even close. That shouldn't be too hard to understand.
I'm okay with the Alouettes being here but let's not kid ourselves. The CFL is a joke league. The stupid rules, absurd end zone size, single point, large field, and tiny players that are short on skill all make for a terrible product. My point was that TSN makes it out to be our national pastime when in reality its just not that good. The juniors are even worse, offering C-grade entertainment for A-grade money.
JC Numminen
#goldrush
I somehow completely forgot about Victoria
Yeah, that would make more sense as its a lot closer. Looks like a pretty nice arena as well.
Well now that we know how Quebecers feel about cheering for the entire country of Canada (based on some of the comments here), maybe we can stop trying to appease them by adding a couple token QMJHL players every year.
They can send their own team and fight over relegation with the Swiss and Germans.
They can send their own team and fight over relegation with the Swiss and Germans.
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