No fans

[Jumptheshark]

Imagine how a US host city would get absolutely ripped for the same.

yep--the host organization got greedy. Also, it is now after the draft and they are missing some key prospects

 

[The Marquis]

I wouldn’t pay $180 for a tournament pass much less a single game to a juniors tournament. The idea of it being in August is big fat nothing when tickets are $180 and up in the lower bowl. They could have this at the perfect time and nobody will go.

 

[Jumptheshark]

Because they chose to do this is August

in about 20 days or so NHL teams will be opening camp and hold either a free open practice or 10 bucks to get in. Several thousand will attend. Prices are insane. Also, with no Russians, a main draw is gone

 

[Tufted Titmouse]

They've gotten too greedy with ticket prices. The tournament isn't the draw it once was. Even in August, if the tickets were $20, I'd catch a few games. I remember watching 16 year old Ovechkin in Toronto at the World's for $8.

 

[Mrb1p]

And how many WJCs in the past 10 years have been held in Edmonton/Alberta/Prairies? Shits annoying bring this on the east side, where you know, everyone lives.

They've gotten too greedy with ticket prices. The tournament isn't the draw it once was. Even in August, if the tickets were $20, I'd catch a few games. I remember watching 16 year old Ovechkin in Toronto at the World's for $8.

Last time I went tickets were 50$ for mid bowl and I was happy to pay that price. Ridiculous. Even Habs games are less expensive lmao.

 

[iCanada]

I wouldn’t pay $180 for a tournament pass much less a single game to a juniors tournament. The idea of it being in August is big fat nothing when tickets are $180 and up in the lower bowl. They could have this at the perfect time and nobody will go.

I mean, we filled the rink in December at those same price points.

Hockey Canada just neglected to consider that the market in August is different.

 

[joestevens29]

I don't know that Russia not being there is really doing anything. Edmonton and area has a huge Ukrainian community, even with them in the tourney I'm sure they'd have a lot of people refusing to go unless it was against Canada.

 

[TheBeastCoast]

I wouldn’t pay $180 for a tournament pass much less a single game to a juniors tournament. The idea of it being in August is big fat nothing when tickets are $180 and up in the lower bowl. They could have this at the perfect time and nobody will go.

Well the tournament pass for this winters tournament in Halifax/Moncton is starting at $1200!! No guarantee of getting Canadian games yet either.

 

[Dr Pepper]

Not sure if it's Hockey Canada or the IIHF that set ticket prices - or some third option - but what they decided on is absolutely laughable.

I hope the attendance for tonight's Team Canada game is similarly sparse, to really drive the point home that fans just aren't interested in shelling out more "hush fund" money in the middle of August to watch a tournament that even TSN barely wants to cover right now.

Well the tournament pass for this winters tournament in Halifax/Moncton is starting at $1200!! No guarantee of getting Canadian games yet either.

That's insane.

 

[Fixed to Ruin]

And how many WJCs in the past 10 years have been held in Edmonton/Alberta/Prairies? Shits annoying bring this on the east side, where you know, everyone lives.


Last time I went tickets were 50$ for mid bowl and I was happy to pay that price. Ridiculous. Even Habs games are less expensive lmao.

I don't disagree however this tournament was held in Toronto/Montreal for a couple years and the buildings weren't full.

 

[GermanSpitfire]

Canada Vs Latvia is sold out but I just checked and basically the entire lower bowl is available for Austria Germany - however the cheapest ticket is 98$+ tax so I'm not sure who is going to pay that unless they're Austrian or German lol

This is insane.

 

[JackSlater]

Overpriced tickets in a market that has had a lot of WJC games in recent memory, summer games in a place with limited nice weather, very limited promotion for a tournament taking place at a strange time, and Hockey Canada embroiled in a scandal. I do not think that the missing players matter, since Joe Blow doesn't really follow who is eligible and who isn't, and I don't think that Russia missing impacts games that wouldn't have involved Russia in the first place.

Overall it's still embarrassing honestly.

 

[Mrb1p]

I don't disagree however this tournament was held in Toronto/Montreal for a couple years and the buildings weren't full.

12000 per game on average before the medal games.

 

[hockey20000]

tickets are insane. theres no chance in hell i would pay 90-100$ for a ticket unless its canada vs another top 5 nation or 2 teams like usa vs sweden etc.. even then i would have to be pretty bored lol.

 

[AlternateSideParking]

Not a big deal. Organizers knew the opening games would be lemons. It’s literally the first time they’ve had a summer WJC since it became a cash cow. They’ll still turn a profit but it won’t be substantial.

TSN’s ratings are going to be low since the Blue Jays are playing key games and have a homestand with wild card implications during the tourney, and play the Yankees during the WJC medal round. But it’s still free chicken for ad execs compared to TSN’s normal August programming.

If they get 10K + for every Canada game, it’s more than enough.

That said, you have to think inflation, the schedule, the scandals, COVID, etc are helping keep people away.

 

[joestevens29]

Overpriced tickets in a market that has had a lot of WJC games in recent memory, summer games in a place with limited nice weather, very limited promotion for a tournament taking place at a strange time, and Hockey Canada embroiled in a scandal. I do not think that the missing players matter, since Joe Blow doesn't really follow who is eligible and who isn't, and I don't think that Russia missing impacts games that wouldn't have involved Russia in the first place.

Overall it's still embarrassing honestly.

In all fairness we really haven't had games since 2012. 2021 was no fans and 2022 wasn't exactly a lot of action

 

[KaraLupin]

Games at 12pm/4pm on a random tuesday in the middle of summer when people are working isn't going to draw a crowd in any city.

This isn't December 27th when people are off between xmas and new years and the games are played in two different cities.

A little reality check is needed here.

This.

If you look at the activity in this sub forum, and the fact that you're already on a forum dedicated to hockey, this is the bubble. Do not expect that to extrapolate into the real world with such concentration. I have no checked one bit of coverage and only clicked this thread because of the title. and I'm registered on the hockey dedicated forum, so what's that tell us about what CASUALS level of interest?

 

[EdJovanovski]

I don't know that Russia not being there is really doing anything. Edmonton and area has a huge Ukrainian community, even with them in the tourney I'm sure they'd have a lot of people refusing to go unless it was against Canada.

It’s definitely hurt my interest, I would’ve been ecstatic to see Bedard vs Michkov

 

[William H Bonney]

Two premier tournaments in weeks in Canada and no fans at either. Maybe it's time to diversify the host locations.

 

[Bixby Snyder]

Maybe fans are scared of being sexually assaulted.

 

[centipede2233]

already stated, it’s summer, people are enjoying the hot weather and on vacation, and for those that are around have to a)work or be somewhere else (kids baseball team) or b) prices are too high for anyone left who have the time to go

 

[OldScool]

Canada overreacted back in December when this should have happened because of a few Covid positive tests and their idiotic hotel setup where they put teams in with regular population with weddings being held. Crap planning to begin with....now they try to pull it off in August which is the dumbest idea ever as most of all the big names dropped out along with the Russian team being not allowed in. Hockey Canada thinking they can get December prices for this watered down event...Add this all together and you get a crappy WJC.

 

[centipede2233]

I have to admit it’s shocking to see the arena so empty for a WJC game in Canada. However, there has been a perfect storm of factors that have brought us to this.

-It’s summer
-We’re missing a huge amount of players
-We’re missing a top rival
-Ticket prices are crazy
-A large portion of the country is furious with Hockey Canada over sex scandals
-The usual barrage of promotion for ticket sales both online and on TV didn’t happen
-TSN didn’t provide any hype at all, trying to maintain its distance
-Possible fatigue from having multiple WJC’s held in the same location.

It’s a sad state of affairs, but I think our country has filled enough arenas for this tournament over the past three decades or so that I would think people could cut us a little slack on this one.

Basically your points 1 and 4, the rest I don’t think are the real impacts. Ticket prices and summer are the culprits

 

[Lt Dan]

Canada Vs Latvia is sold out but I just checked and basically the entire lower bowl is available for Austria Germany - however the cheapest ticket is 98$+ tax so I'm not sure who is going to pay that unless they're Austrian or German lol

100% this.

It is also the first first round. People are saving their $$ up for the later rounds.

Can we really fault the Canadians for not wanting to see the US vas Germany on a random Tuesday night ?

 

[jj cale]

I given up caring if there is, i'm just going to watch the games and enjoy it on my own, it's what is on the ice that matters in the end.

I've got the best seat in the house at home anyway.