WC: WC popularity and attendance

[Senor Catface]

Cheap packages. Reward people that want to commit to going to multiple by having them get good deals on said packages.

 

[ForumNamePending]

I dunno... If you look at a list of the most highly attended WC it is dominated by tournaments held fairly recently. The 2010 WC in Germany came up just a few thousand people short of setting the all time attendance record. The actual record was set less than a decade ago. Obviously the more recent tournaments have included more games and teams but the fact that the tournament from that stand point is bigger than it was 15, 20, 25, etc years ago is a good sign on its own regardless of attendance.

Just did a quick check and attendance this year does seem somewhat soft... Perhaps some of the backlash from the ticket pricing ordeal from last year has carried over to this year? The ticket prices from last year were in a lot of cases comparable to things like the '10 Olympic tournament in Euro 2012... That's pretty insane.

Count me in as someone who thinks splitting the tournament between two countries is kind of dumb. I get it if two bordering countries are smaller "hockey nations" and may not have the infrastruture or financial wealth to host the tournament on their own but Sweden and Finland?!?!?!... and in back to back years?!?!?!

I think for the forseable future things will remain pretty much the status quo... A mesh mash of tournaments. Unfortunately none of the tournaments are ideal (IMO from the NHL to some semi-pro league in Romania this hurts the entire sport) but they still serve a purpose. Generally people in this part of the world at best simply ignore the WC and at worst seem to enjoy displaying ignorance or even disdain towards it. The bottom line though is it is a pretty big deal and plays an important (probably even vital) role in the growth, health and in some cases/places survival of the game.

 

[Jussi]

Every two years probably isn't going to happen. It's a cash cow for IIHF and its members.

Not to mention that this tournament funds all those other tournaments that don't make profit (lower divisions for men, women and juniors).

 

[Jussi]

Change the time of year to NHL off season, then all the best players will be available. August would be a perfect month.

Domestic hockey season's starting, e.g. Finnish league PA has required holiday period, clubs don't want to risk losing players at the start of the season, worst possibly time to have hockey tournament in Europe with football league's starting plus potentially clashing schedule with IAAF World Championships (much bigger event Europe wide than hockey). Essentially the same reasons why a World Cup doesn't work.

 

[CPFC]

The current ticket prices indicate a premium sporting event but in reality it's just a carneval of sorts with B-levels teams. Just lower the prices a lot and make it accessible for large crowds. The World Championships will never be a true best-on-best tournament, but it can still be a fun and less serious event with good entertainment value, if priced correctly.

 

[Raimo Sillanpää]

I think they failed in thinking that hosting the games back-to-back would be good for attendance. Rather we the home crow see it (supply) as being too much, and thus we have lower demand.

Hence ticket prices should be significantly cheaper - more games in different towns too. Now you're basically talking about the same Helsinki population and saying how many days off work will you take to see games.

But if they played in Helsinki & Turku or something, then you'd have different crowds.

 

[Past Considerations]

Domestic hockey season's starting, e.g. Finnish league PA has required holiday period, clubs don't want to risk losing players at the start of the season, worst possibly time to have hockey tournament in Europe with football league's starting plus potentially clashing schedule with IAAF World Championships (much bigger event Europe wide than hockey). Essentially the same reasons why a World Cup doesn't work.

NHL might start later, but I think it's the same for them - probably won't be jumping for joy and sending players overseas just before the season is supposed to start.

 

[wunderpanda]

Maybe a different system entirely. Have the early preliminary games in the respective countries and make the final event only 4 teams. Would be more travel for teams but the arenas would have larger crowds for the early rounds, then the big event weekend with 4 teams in a host nation.

Like the NCAA basketball tournament. Split into 4 groups, each group has a host city, then the final 4 are in a different location. Might be better for ticket sales in the early round. Its sad to see 20 people in the stands.

 

[VictorLustig]

delete

 

[Joe MacMillan]

Whatever it is that needs to be done to increase the popularity, it doesn't help that the tournament is scheduled at the same time the NHL playoffs are going on.

 

[TurboBrick]

1) Reduce number of teams in A-group to 12, too much talent gap otherwise.

2) No WC and Olympics in the same year. Redundant. Preferrably a rotation where have WC - OLY - WC - Canada Cup

3) Move the tournament to early September. It would be more of a tune-up tournament than a booby prize for missing the playoffs.

Oh, and 4), never allow Finland or Sweden host another tournament again.

 

[Zamuz]

Games like FRA-AUT should cost no more than 10€.

I'd never pay over 10€ to watch that game.

 

[Jussi]

1) Reduce number of teams in A-group to 12, too much talent gap otherwise.

2) No WC and Olympics in the same year. Redundant. Preferrably a rotation where have WC - OLY - WC - Canada Cup

3) Move the tournament to early September. It would be more of a tune-up tournament than a booby prize for missing the playoffs.

Oh, and 4), never allow Finland or Sweden host another tournament again.

on all of them. You can't reduce the number of teams anymore if you want to spread the game. World/Canada Cup is DOA in today's world. Quality of hockey in September is really bad compared to early May.

 

[1Gold Standard]

on all of them. You can't reduce the number of teams anymore if you want to spread the game. World/Canada Cup is DOA in today's world. Quality of hockey in September is really bad compared to early May.

Here's a suggestion for you. And if the World Cup is such a non-starter for Europeans... then how about this for an idea:

In the tradition of the Euro Hockey Tour (which is a complete waste of time BTW)

BUT

A World Championships in 2 stages.

1. A fall stage (early-mid September in N. America) and a Final Spring stage (mid-late May) in Europe. Ideally would love to see it alternate stages Europe - N. America, but host cities and NHL rink availability will always be a nightmare for N. American organizers to count on in the spring. So, for now let's just say, Sept. in NA and Spring in Europe.
2. Limit the number of teams.. seriously there's no need for France, Italy and a few other teams to be involved.

3. One group every team plays the other in each of the 2 stages.

4. The top 4 teams play a single game playoff 1 v 4 2 v 3 and a one game final Winner takes all.

5. To generate the most fan interest and, then scrap the yearly format for an every 2 years.

and if still Europeans don't want to scrap their annual springtime event, just hold a European Championship every other year to include teams such as Italy and France..

I think both Hockey Canada and USA Hockey would be thrilled not to have to go through the annual routine of getting players and coaches to Europe.

All Federations will have access to all or 98% of their players (given by mid May only 4 teams remain in the hunt for Lord Stanley.) N. Americans get games live and in prime time. And everybody wins.

 

[DonCorleone]

Reduce number of teams in A-group to 12, too much talent gap otherwise.

This game has changed. Teams like Denmark, Norway, France or Italy made incredible progress, despite few one sided results they can beat big teams.

Look at the Switzerland, ten years ago they was on the similar level like France and now, they are unbeaten after games against Canada, Czechs etc..

Reduction is very unfair.

 

[ozo]

Next year's tournament should solve the ticket and beer price problem.

Lukashenko will arrange "sell-outs" as well.

 

[ozo]

Quality of hockey in September is really bad compared to early May.

Nah, most players had to wait for WC for like a month or in some cases even more anyway. As long as medals will be at stake hockey will be of an ok-ish quality.

 

[stv11]

Here's a suggestion for you. And if the World Cup is such a non-starter for Europeans... then how about this for an idea:

In the tradition of the Euro Hockey Tour (which is a complete waste of time BTW)

BUT

A World Championships in 2 stages.

1. A fall stage (early-mid September in N. America) and a Final Spring stage (mid-late May) in Europe. Ideally would love to see it alternate stages Europe - N. America, but host cities and NHL rink availability will always be a nightmare for N. American organizers to count on in the spring. So, for now let's just say, Sept. in NA and Spring in Europe.
2. Limit the number of teams.. seriously there's no need for France, Italy and a few other teams to be involved.

3. One group every team plays the other in each of the 2 stages.

4. The top 4 teams play a single game playoff 1 v 4 2 v 3 and a one game final Winner takes all.

5. To generate the most fan interest and, then scrap the yearly format for an every 2 years.

and if still Europeans don't want to scrap their annual springtime event, just hold a European Championship every other year to include teams such as Italy and France..

I think both Hockey Canada and USA Hockey would be thrilled not to have to go through the annual routine of getting players and coaches to Europe.

All Federations will have access to all or 98% of their players (given by mid May only 4 teams remain in the hunt for Lord Stanley.) N. Americans get games live and in prime time. And everybody wins.

What makes the WC one of the best sporting event to follow is the possibility for fans to saw many different teams, all with their strengths, weaknesses and style of play face each other in one spot, with fans from around the world joining. Holding the tournament in several stages with more host cities would kill this and make it like a standard regular season with home and away games, no pace and no hockey atmosphere in the host city.

Limiting the number of team could have been a valid proposition 10 years ago, but now all teams have proven that they belong and even an Italy - Kazakhstan game is interesting for the open minded fan. And of course, Canada and the US needs to be there, no reason to deprive fans of 40 good players because someone thinks an 8 hours flight is too much to ask to players who owe everything to their national federation's development program.

And the tournament should still be played yearly, this is the highlight of the hockey season and I can't imagine a season finishing another way. The tournament is great the way it is, the only improvement would be to move the NHL season one month forward.

 

[1Gold Standard]

What makes the WC one of the best sporting event to follow is the possibility for fans to saw many different teams, all with their strengths, weaknesses and style of play face each other in one spot, with fans from around the world joining. Holding the tournament in several stages with more host cities would kill this and make it like a standard regular season with home and away games, no pace and no hockey atmosphere in the host city.

Limiting the number of team could have been a valid proposition 10 years ago, but now all teams have proven that they belong and even an Italy - Kazakhstan game is interesting for the open minded fan. And of course, Canada and the US needs to be there, no reason to deprive fans of 40 good players because someone thinks an 8 hours flight is too much to ask to players who owe everything to their national federation's development program.

And the tournament should still be played yearly, this is the highlight of the hockey season and I can't imagine a season finishing another way. The tournament is great the way it is, the only improvement would be to move the NHL season one month forward.

I've been to 3 WHC and the only thing enjoyable about it was not the hockey.. The hockey at the WHC is lets be honest, not all that great. But what was good was the atmosphere, I'd grant you that... I enjoyed the World Championships by hanging out and partying with the Latvians. But lets get back to the hockey, N. Americans want to be part of it as well, so if there's no reorganized and revived World Cup, then the format I propose makes sense, as we get to see games live and in color with a more complete roster, not hindered so much by the NHL playoffs. If N. Americans and Europeans can't agree to that compromise, then I'll say Hockey Canada shouldn't even bother with sending a team to the World Championship at all any year. I've grown tired of the current format and it's only getting worse... Seriously I just watched the 1st. period of France and Russia..... do you seriously call that entertaining, compelling hockey?

I can go down to my local rink and watch the OHL Cup 15 year olds preparing for their first junior season and find better hockey.

So, if Europe is so opposed to changing the format or coming up with alternatives, then invite Moldova and Hungary to the participate in the WHC to replace Canada and the USA, as I'd be happier to have an annual tournament with the Americans...best 4 out of 7. The hockey would be infinitely better than anything I've seen at the WHC in the past decade.

 

[stv11]

The quality of hockey at the world championship is way higher than in any local league, and that includes the NHL. Any competition has its good and bad games, but you have to be open minded about it. I've attended four games this year and the best one was Denmark - Norway while Sweden - Czech Republic was the low point. The best hockey games I have attended were WC games, while I've never seen international games as terrible that Devils - Ducks Stanley Cup bore, that 2010 Bruins - Flyers puck dumping fest or that crime against sport ethics that was the 2011 Stanley Cup, to name three examples that jump to my mind from the NHL playoffs. If you really think that your local 15 years old team offers better hockey, I suggest you watch harder next time.

The Russia - France game may not be the most spectacular, but to someone who follows how the tournament evolves, France's approach to this game and Russia's struggle to find a solution is very interesting. Way more than watching the same matchup seven times.

I'll give you that the tournament should return more often to Canada and the US, they have the right to be the home team as much as any other and I would definitely like to see them host as regularly as Sweden, Finland or Germany, but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much interest in organizing the event.

 

[1Gold Standard]

The quality of hockey at the world championship is way higher than in any local league, and that includes the NHL. Any competition has its good and bad games, but you have to be open minded about it. I've attended four games this year and the best one was Denmark - Norway while Sweden - Czech Republic was the low point. The best hockey games I have attended were WC games, while I've never seen international games as terrible that Devils - Ducks Stanley Cup bore, that 2010 Bruins - Flyers puck dumping fest or that crime against sport ethics that was the 2011 Stanley Cup, to name three examples that jump to my mind from the NHL playoffs. If you really think that your local 15 years old team offers better hockey, I suggest you watch harder next time.

The Russia - France game may not be the most spectacular, but to someone who follows how the tournament evolves, France's approach to this game and Russia's struggle to find a solution is very interesting. Way more than watching the same matchup seven times.

I'll give you that the tournament should return more often to Canada and the US, they have the right to be the home team as much as any other and I would definitely like to see them host as regularly as Sweden, Finland or Germany, but unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much interest in organizing the event.

There would be great interest in September from N. American fans with full rosters and available rinks. The line up of cities in Canada to host would be a long one.

 

[DonCorleone]

Seriously I just watched the 1st. period of France and Russia..... do you seriously call that entertaining, compelling hockey?

France is leading 2:1 in 50th minute...

 

[Mr Kanadensisk]

I'd like to see Canada and the USA pull out of the WC and then replace the NHL all-star game each year with a 3 game CAN-USA mini series.

 

[toewsintangibles]

How about just keep the tournament as is?

World Cup/Canada Cup or anything can't be called an international tournament if there are referees only from a few select countries

 

[DonCorleone]

I'd like to see Canada and the USA pull out of the WC and then replace the NHL all-star game each year with a 3 game CAN-USA mini series.

That's great idea, how to avoid defeat from Switzerland ..