Novak Djokovic
#24 and counting... #GOAT
- Dec 10, 2006
- 23,207
- 1,508
This tournament really did peak in the mid to late 2000s, at least from Canadian perspective. I really doubt next year in Vancouver is going to be as successful as it was in 2006.
Poor attendance
- Thread starter Coinneach
- Start date
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Rocko604
Sports will break your heart.
Agreed on all points. I think ever since the loss to Russia in 2011 and not rebounding in Calgary in 2012 all the rabid excitement for this tournament wore off. Vancouver/Victoria will absolutely do better than Buffalo, but I'd be shocked if there's the same level of excitement as there was in 2006. I don't think Canada will even sell out any of their games.
I think in 2021, Hockey Canada needs to bite the bullet, hit reset, and start putting this tournament back into non-NHL markets. Saskatoon was great. Halifax, QC, London, Kelowna, or Moncton, just to name a few, could do a great job. Even Victoria on its own would have been a great host.
Try charging Toronto prices just for tickets in Halifax and see what happens. I'd also expect concession prices in junior stadiums are much cheaper than in the ACC (going off my experience going to Knights games to Leafs games).Small markets would attend games that fans from Toronto would not. I mean.. look at Halifax 2008 2008 IIHF World Championship - Wikipedia
Germany vs Slovakia Attendance: 7,855
The real problem is, they overpriced tickets because they thought because the Leafs can charge a fortune they can too. Not understanding the dynamic's that make Leafs tickets expensive.
There was a real easy way to make the WJC a success in Toronto and have sold out games. Promote the games to families as a cheap event. Make packaged deals for families for all non-Canada games. Create all-in tickets with deals on concessions and such. The reason they won't do this, is because they can't make concession's cheaper for non-Leaf, Raptors or in-demand Concerts without pissing off that crowd.
As someone from Toronto and who enjoys the WJC and went to a couple games when it was here the last 2 times. I really don't care if it ever comes back here or particularly close to it (such as Buffalo or maybe Hamilton) if they are going to so blatantly try to overcharge people and treat it as a massive cash grab. I doubt any city has ever seen prices for a junior event comparable to what they did in Toronto and Montreal.
cbcwpg
Registered User
They did... 1996... and guess what... NOBODY went.
The fact is no one cares about this tournament except the players playing in it, their immediate families, and Canadians. Add to that they want NHL prices to watch it... there you go.
2019 - Vancouver.. lower bowl seats run from $1650 to $2250 for 19 games. Add to that the cost of a hotel in Vancouver... You could almost fly to Europe and watch the games the next time the tourney is over there for the same cost.
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TheBeastCoast
Registered User
You do realize the tournament has changed a lot in 21 years right? The tournament isn't growing in the States obviously but in Sweden and Finland it has absolutely been growing and becoming bigger in recent years. You are right about them over charging to gauge the Canadian market though.
BruinsBtn
Registered User
- Dec 24, 2006
- 22,080
- 13,549
Things like this is why people hate the corporate world. Grassroots support made this tournament huge in Canada, then they decided to milk it for every dollar. Now the support is fading.
Can’t believe they’re making 18 year olds play outside in freezing weather.
bobber
Registered User
This is very true. For some reason the powers that be think everyone in Canada has the disposable income to support thee tournaments. It's junior hockey not the NHL. When they hold these things in smaller markets they expect the season ticket holders to actually move to another section so the brass can have better seating. Man can you imagine giving up your seat for Pierre McGuire.
KingBran
Three Eyed Raven
- Apr 24, 2014
- 6,436
- 2,284
It really is too bad STL lost this one to Buffalo.
They sold out Busch for an alumni game before this years Winter Classic. Lots of kids from STL have made the NHL lately. It really is a place for hockey and hockey is HUGE here. I hope the WC and the amount of kids from STL being drafted are opening peoples eyes.
They sold out Busch for an alumni game before this years Winter Classic. Lots of kids from STL have made the NHL lately. It really is a place for hockey and hockey is HUGE here. I hope the WC and the amount of kids from STL being drafted are opening peoples eyes.
That might have been a better idea than bringing it back to Buffalo so soon (and right after Toronto and Montreal last year). There has been much mention on the Canadian broadcasts about the St Louis minor hockey system, and the talent that it has been producing. Also they talk about how many former Blues players have made their permanent homes in the St Louis area and put in a lot to the local minor hockey systems.
4thlineduster
Registered User
- Jan 6, 2012
- 1,017
- 474
IIHF probably figured Buffalo being a border town would bring in the added revenue of Canadians crossing the border that St Louis couldn't bring.
What they clearly didn't factor in was Canadians aren't going to cross the border to pay hundreds of dollars for a ticket BEFORE the exchange rate.
This tournament was successful attendance wise back when tickets were $20-75 upon initial release. People would plan trips to where the tourney was being held and make a vacation out of it. As long as tournament organizers keep thinking people are going to pay hundreds for tickets to a junior tournament attendance will continue to decline.
What they clearly didn't factor in was Canadians aren't going to cross the border to pay hundreds of dollars for a ticket BEFORE the exchange rate.
This tournament was successful attendance wise back when tickets were $20-75 upon initial release. People would plan trips to where the tourney was being held and make a vacation out of it. As long as tournament organizers keep thinking people are going to pay hundreds for tickets to a junior tournament attendance will continue to decline.
KingBran
Three Eyed Raven
- Apr 24, 2014
- 6,436
- 2,284
That's good to hear about the Canadian broadcasts saying that. I mean its true. Andy McDonald hung around for a few years and did some stuff with the local kids teams. He got big into real-estate and that's a good market around here.
Chris Pronger still has a house here and met his wife here. Same story with Wayne Gretzky. Brett Hull of course still lives here. Brodeur (not sure he bought a place) is always around. Kelly Chase, and Tony Twist do radio. Bernie Federko does broadcasts for the TV, Cam Janssen pops up on the radio, at the games and around town - always doing something with the Blues, Bob Plager and Barret Jackmen are kind of ambassadors of the team... I can go on and on.
I am sure its the same in a lot of other places too but it does a least say something / add to it. This place would go absolutely bonkers if we ever won a cup.
Hawkster58
Registered User
Being a season ticket holder for the Sabres, they offered me the package for all games, i just can't fathom paying more for Junior hockey than i do for NHL hockey for my same seats. That being said i did buy 4 tickets for the kids for the outdoor game as that is special. The last time the WJC was in Buffalo i bought the whole package, but watching 3 games a day, is just too much. Who is getting all this money? For NHL games i don't mind paying as the players are getting big money, but the kids are not getting paid. Just seems like too big a money grab by the IIHF and the tournament organizers. Not surprised attendance is very poor.
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Now James Duthie (from TSN) is reporting that the QEW to Buffalo is closed due to a truck fire.
Sorry not familiar with the highways and such around Buffalo, he just said that he hopes the ones going to the game gave themselves plenty of time to get there.
Sorry not familiar with the highways and such around Buffalo, he just said that he hopes the ones going to the game gave themselves plenty of time to get there.
cbcwpg
Registered User
I'm sure there are lots of places in the States that could host the WJC, as long as the goal was to expose people to the games, and not use it as a money grab as it has become. Charge people $10 - $30 to watch the games and I'm sure more will go. But if the games are in the states it doesn't appear that the IIHF is ever going to let a city that isn't within driving distance from Canada, host it again.
My preference... Southern California or Florida. I could spend a couple of weeks in those places watching Canada play.
KingBran
Three Eyed Raven
- Apr 24, 2014
- 6,436
- 2,284
My point was Buffalo and STL were the two finalists for hosting this year. Would have loved to see STL get it.I'm sure there are lots of places in the States that could host the WJC, as long as the goal was to expose people to the games, and not use it as a money grab as it has become. Charge people $10 - $30 to watch the games and I'm sure more will go. But if the games are in the states it doesn't appear that the IIHF is ever going to let a city that isn't within driving distance from Canada, host it again.
My preference... Southern California or Florida. I could spend a couple of weeks in those places watching Canada play.
Canadian Finn
Oskee Wee Wee
Ya, I get you're from BC ....
We'll see how it goes next year. I'm betting bad. The costs will be higher than even Toronto and Montreal. Like the BC Lions attendance, which drops year after year, we'll see the same thing on the WJC's.
Hope I'm wrong. But I won't be.
Wow, pretty brutal showing at the outdoor game...let's hope lots of people are still on their way.
SackTastic
Registered User
- Mar 25, 2011
- 7,829
- 1,915
It's a legitimately good business strategy. I think they underestimated how annoyed Canadian fans were with the pricing the last couple trips through Ontario, and they couldn't have predicted the exchange rate being what it is.
Let's hope the IIHF learns and adapts.
SackTastic
Registered User
- Mar 25, 2011
- 7,829
- 1,915
Tripod
I hate this team
They said over 40,ooo tickets sold.
And with the accident on the highway between Toronto and Buffalo, 90 minute delay. So yeah, I expect a bunch of fans are running late.
sabresfan129103
1-4-6-14
Fantomas
Registered User
- Aug 7, 2012
- 13,810
- 7,670
This is the problem with the way things work right now. Something becomes popular, grows significantly and becomes unaffordable to many of the same fans who helped to make the event grow.
