They were at 71% in December, prior to having games rescheduled for record snowfall. So they went up 5% since? That's growth.
In terms of raw headcount numbers, it's actually amazing that they out draw some much better teams.
Why is the Sabres' attendance so low?
- Thread starter KovalchukFistPump
- Start date
They were at 71% in December, prior to having games rescheduled for record snowfall. So they went up 5% since? That's growth.
In terms of raw headcount numbers, it's actually amazing that they out draw some much better teams.
Because they’ve sucked for awhile and fans have other things to do with their money. Why would being a bubble team mean that Buffalo fans will pack the house again? They’re an exciting team and they have a great fanbase but it takes more than a couple decent months to win them back.
Hasn't always been the case. Late 90s, it was the Bills who nearly left because they couldn't sell out a home game. Sabres were selling out Tuesdays against scrub teams in November.
If the Sabres contend for the cup, they usually dominate Buffalo for a few years
Are you old enough to remember when Boston and Chicago were bottom dwellers in attendance during the 90's and 00's?
Happens when you suck. Cups cure everything.
Happens when you suck. Cups cure everything.
Team_Spirit
95% Elliotte
- Jul 3, 2002
- 38,308
- 28,258
11 years of no playoffs and 84 different jerseys
And Marty Biron is a star on TV Sabres fans are smart they watch at home.
And Marty Biron is a star on TV Sabres fans are smart they watch at home.
They've had five sellouts for the season. Four have been in the last 26 days. If they continue to win more than they lose, that will continue.
tarheelhockey
Offside Review Specialist
This is the correct answer. There’s always a 1-year delay before attendance fully recovers, because season ticket packages get sold before the season.
It’s very hard to sell 10,000 single-game tickets to 41 different events.
sabremike
I didn't even know he was sick!
That's why the RJ Night sellout last season was so impressive: we only sold roughly 5,500 season tickets so that means they had to sell 13,500 single game box office tickets for the sellout.
But one game was Ryan Miller's jersey retirement. Not sure if it would have sold out otherwise. Can't remember the opponent.
But yes, attendance is suddenly improving. Now 13,000 on a weeknight is disappointing vs. cause for celebrating last year. I think they sold out against Boston last year but hardly any game drew over 10,000? Most were 7,000 to 9,000+ range?
So sad to see all those empty bright blue seats on the lower level until recently. Most arenas have black or dark seats nowadays which somewhat hide any empty seats.
VaporTrail
Registered User
- Mar 2, 2011
- 5,312
- 1,825
I think they lost a bunch of fans after mandating vaccinations in order to get into the games during Covid
When you miss the playoffs for 11 straight years that's going to happen, attendance will suffer.
They have to make it in before it improves significantly
Kimota
ROY DU NORD!!!
As an outsider I always thought the Sabres had the best fans and loudest. The atmosphere in the old building was amazing with the siren and all. Win or lose, they were always freaking decidated, even when Briere and Drury left. But it's an example that there's a limit to what a fanbase can endure even when you have a good fanbase. The change of building and new ownership and the many screw ups I think played a part of it. And the Eichel fiasco must not have helped.
how is this a real question? if you were promised something you desperately wanted but it was a trap where you were tortured for 8 months....and every year that same promise came back with a guarantee this time it was the real deal...and the first couple times you allowed yourself to believe in it because you wanted what was promised so badly....but eventually you lose all hope and trust in the offer.
so when the first hints maybe it wasnt actually a trap this time emerge, you see them while wearing the scars of years being tortured that remind you of what happens when you let yourself believe. the org is gonna have to go above and beyond for the fanbase to trust that theres any reason to believe they arent lying this time.
they are absolutely on the right track though, and its awesome for buffalo. such a fun team to watch, play fast paced and have tons of youth/skill just scratching the surface of their potential. one of the leagues best fanbases, and honestly, some of the best people ive encountered. only been a couple times and definitely had a meh expectation of what it would be like before the first time there, but what a fun little city with awesome people. very happy they finally have some light at the end of the tunnel. theyll be back, but you dont have to be a rocket scientist to see why theyre taking their time getting there.
so when the first hints maybe it wasnt actually a trap this time emerge, you see them while wearing the scars of years being tortured that remind you of what happens when you let yourself believe. the org is gonna have to go above and beyond for the fanbase to trust that theres any reason to believe they arent lying this time.
they are absolutely on the right track though, and its awesome for buffalo. such a fun team to watch, play fast paced and have tons of youth/skill just scratching the surface of their potential. one of the leagues best fanbases, and honestly, some of the best people ive encountered. only been a couple times and definitely had a meh expectation of what it would be like before the first time there, but what a fun little city with awesome people. very happy they finally have some light at the end of the tunnel. theyll be back, but you dont have to be a rocket scientist to see why theyre taking their time getting there.
Negan4Coach
Fantastic and Stochastic
A lot of fans come from Niagara falls Canada/St. Catherines area, and our economy is just absolutely f***ed right now. People are literally stealing groceries to get by, the luxury of going to a game, especially across the border is out of the question right now.
They lost a fair chunk of ticketholders when cross border traffic was stopped. I don't know if Detroit was hurt by this as well.
Winning games, particularly at home, will continue to see the arena percentage continue to climb.
Now if we talk raw attendance totals, they are ahead of two teams with capacity to be ahead of them (have to leave Arizona out of it due to arena size). For a team that's regularly been a mess, that they can still outdraw some others is kind of amazing honestly.
Now if we talk raw attendance totals, they are ahead of two teams with capacity to be ahead of them (have to leave Arizona out of it due to arena size). For a team that's regularly been a mess, that they can still outdraw some others is kind of amazing honestly.
MOGlLNY
Registered User
- Jan 5, 2008
- 11,051
- 14,234
A lot of casual fans have bought into the “Sabres are on a hot streak everyone pack the arena” stretch multiple times during the decade.
People are very wary on coming back now I’d wager. I think if they have a nice push to finish the season they’ll sell out most games and next year attendance will be back to normal.
People are very wary on coming back now I’d wager. I think if they have a nice push to finish the season they’ll sell out most games and next year attendance will be back to normal.
This isn’t true tbh
Thorton02
Registered User
- Feb 6, 2009
- 1,830
- 673
Attendance is usually lower until the Bills' season wraps up. Add that with a ten+ year crappy team and bad economy, you get numbers like this. I assume the TV numbers are still strong as ever. If they're in 8th place this Spring and playing the same way they do today, the fan base will explode assuming they don't get swept in the playoffs.
Loss of season ticket holders in So. Ontario during the travel ban has been a part of it.
As for the bit about the Bills stinking and the Sabres being second fiddle... the Co-caps era was still a time when the local sports reporting was rabidly football centric and they didn't cover much of what was going on with the hockey team. It felt like we knew what the punter ate for breakfast and yet still had to struggle to find out the lineup from a game the Sabress won.
MOGlLNY
Registered User
- Jan 5, 2008
- 11,051
- 14,234
If the Sabres make the playoffs and get swept it's absolutely a successful season and would strongly carry into next year.
Thorton02
Registered User
- Feb 6, 2009
- 1,830
- 673
I totally agree. I was speaking for the casual/bandwagon fan. Being that I haven't even looked at the current crop of draft prospects yet, I would consider this a successful season.
GMR
Registered User
Would you leave your house in January if you lived in Buffalo? I'm sure attendance will be fine if they make the playoffs.
Users who are viewing this thread
Latest posts
-
-
-
Pre-Game Talk: ECF Series Talk: Rat Bastards versus Boring Jerks (20 Viewers)- Latest: Anton Dubinchuk
-
-
