Winnipeg Jets: 11,226 Attendance tonight, cause for concern? What's going on in the 'Peg?

[kiwi51]

I don’t know why they would have problems selling tickets. Inflation is at its lowest and so is the unemployment rate that’s good news. Sure prices have gone up, but overall Canadians are doing great.

 

[FlyerNutter]

Not a good reason to not sell out the smallest (permanent) arena in the league. Especially in a hockey-crazy city like Peg. Bad excuse.

Elaborate on why it’s an excuse?

People in an increasingly poor town, which Winnipeg very much is - are not going to spend money that’s hard to come by for a product that simply doesn’t entertain.

I don’t know why they would have problems selling tickets. Inflation is at its lowest and so is the unemployment rate that’s good news. Sure prices have gone up, but overall Canadians are doing great.

Don’t mean to offend but Canadians are not doing great, not sure where you are reading that.

 

[Boonk]

Disagree with all these as far as reasons for the struggling attendance. Economy is bad everywhere. Inflation is everywhere.
The Jets have made the playoffs 5 out of the last 6 years and has gotten through the first round 3 times. That is not the reason tickets aren't selling.

This I agree with.

Agree to disagree, none of what I said is wrong at all and they're not going anywhere lol.

 

[Boonk]

What True North doesn’t realize, is their questionable decision to build in the middle of downtown is coming home to roost.

The true north entertainment complex next to the arena doesn’t attract enough people, nor will the new “portage place”. There is a reason folks don’t spend time downtown, and drive out as soon as the games are over.

A lack of extra spending money aside, I think the biggest fix is actually daring to rebuild one time. Nobody is getting excited for the same mediocre slop every season when the outcome is basically known already.

They had a change to rebuild this off season, and chose to re sign Mark/Connor to huge contracts.

Winnipegs downtown core is...not very good. I very much agree that it is a place very few care or want to explore for more than time requires, that said if it wasn't profitable for TNSE I don't think we see the Jets return to downtown and have ownership purchase and monopolize more properties and real estate over the years progressing from then on. This is very much the case for a lot of cities and their downtown cores in North America. When I went to Cali, downtown LA and the Anaheim areas while full of tourist attractions and destinations, weren't exactly the best examples of "stable economy" or "visually appeasing" at times.

 

[FlyerNutter]

Winnipegs downtown core is...not very good. I very much agree that it is a place very few care or want to explore for more than time requires, that said if it wasn't profitable for TNSE I don't think we see the Jets return to downtown and have ownership purchase and monopolize more properties and real estate over the years progressing from then on. This is very much the case for a lot of cities and their downtown cores in North America. When I went to Cali, downtown LA and the Anaheim areas while full of tourist attractions and destinations, weren't exactly the best examples of "stable economy" or "visually appeasing" at times.

I’m just trying to say there are valid reasons why people who don’t have a lot of extra cash currently are choosing to not spend it on the Jets.

I do think if the Jets dared to whisper the word “rebuild”, and infused some young stars into the game after a few years fans would come out.

They aren’t coming out for the same stagnant team. The proof is there.

 

[Gnashville]

Nashville looked pretty empty last night too.

According to NHL.com the attendance in. Nashville was 17,216 which is over capacity but given what the score was and how the team played I would say that there was plenty of empty seats by the middle of the 2nd and probably almost empty by the 3rd period.

 

[Garbageyuk]

•The team sucks right now.
•The economy sucks right now.
•Winnipeg is the smallest NHL market in Canada.
•Winnipeg is one of the poorest cities in Canada.

It honestly isn’t surprising.

 

[Satans Hockey]

The americanization of the game is ruining Canada.

In an ideal world Canada has its own league like Russia, Sweden, Finland etc. Salaries are not as high, Normal people can attend games etc.

Nunber one priority working for the game in Canada. This is the only country that shares its sport and main league with a other country. It's basically a slave state.

It's funny cause I actually feel this way about the MLS, I've always hated that they let Toronto in cause I knew it would mean more teams eventually and now we have Montreal and Vancouver as well. I'd much rather kick those 3 teams out to your own league the CPL because I'd rather have the MLS be US teams only.

The main difference is that the original NHL was never all Canada teams though where the MLS never had a non US team until 2007 when Toronto came into the league.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

Elaborate on why it’s an excuse?

People in an increasingly poor town, which Winnipeg very much is - are not going to spend money that’s hard to come by for a product that simply doesn’t entertain.

Again, they’ve made the playoffs 5 of the last 6 seasons. I’m not buying that their attendance is down because they’re “not good”.

 

[Puckclektr]

So you are saying when it comes to supporting NHL teams, population does matter. Interesting.

I never said it didn’t.

 

[BKIslandersFan]

I never said it didn’t.

I know. But there are people here who thinks it does not matter.

 

[Machinehead]

Again, they’ve made the playoffs 5 of the last 6 seasons. I’m not buying that their attendance is down because they’re “not good”.

I don't think its so much that they're not good. It's that they're not really in it. They'll be alright and make the playoffs, but you'll bet the house on them not winning the Cup.

I'd rather go and watch a rebuilding team with some interesting young players.

 

[Gnashville]

•The team sucks right now.
•The economy sucks right now.
•Winnipeg is the smallest NHL market in Canada.
•Winnipeg is one of the poorest cities in Canada.

It honestly isn’t surprising.

They have played 3 games so far, saying the team sucks right now is a bit premature. If this was March and they were 30-45-5 going into the offseason with the second to last game this excuse would make sense but it’s the second home game of the season. No one knows what will happen.

Also can we merge this with the other thread on the Business board?

 

[MrHeiskanen]

I think Jets fans have gotten a little bit wild with the "the team sucks" mentality. Only one team can win it all, getting in the playoffs should be the measure of success for most years, getting deep every once in a while other years.

But if your team is making the playoffs like 70% of the time, I don't think you can say they suck.

 

[AtlantaWhaler]

I don't think its so much that they're not good. It's that they're not really in it. They'll be alright and make the playoffs, but you'll bet the house on them not winning the Cup.

I'd rather go and watch a rebuilding team with some interesting young players.

Honestly, if that’s the reason, then they really are in trouble. They did make it past the first round 3 of those times too.

Also, it’s a brand new season. Nobody knows what they are yet. Tons of Jets fans were all excited about re-signing their franchise center and goalie.

 

[EpochLink]

Winnipegs downtown core is...not very good. I very much agree that it is a place very few care or want to explore for more than time requires, that said if it wasn't profitable for TNSE I don't think we see the Jets return to downtown and have ownership purchase and monopolize more properties and real estate over the years progressing from then on. This is very much the case for a lot of cities and their downtown cores in North America. When I went to Cali, downtown LA and the Anaheim areas while full of tourist attractions and destinations, weren't exactly the best examples of "stable economy" or "visually appeasing" at times.

Being born and raised in Winnipeg, the city has done a poor job stabilizing downtown for decades. I can remember even in the late 80's and early 90's it was so bad. While building the arena downtown was a sure fire bet to attract business and people back to the downtown core, you gotta give more reasons to get people NOT to venture to St.Vital or Polo Park every damn weekend. I've heard the excuses of 'there's no parking downtown' and 'have you seen downtown? You wanna walk down there? Gross!' sayings for years.

I visit from time to time there, downtown looks appealing better now than it did 25-30 years ago but there's not much people around there besides Jets games/concerts. The downtown core should be a place where people meet and great/have a good time/walk around and venture.

The potential for downtown Winnipeg is tremendous, just have to promote it better.

 

[FlyerNutter]

Again, they’ve made the playoffs 5 of the last 6 seasons. I’m not buying that their attendance is down because they’re “not good”.

Making the playoffs is not some grand accomplishment in the NHL when half the teams get in.

You are ignoring my post that the large factor happens to be a shrinking amount of disposable income mixed with low business contributions. That’s just what the city is.

The product is indeed stagnant.

 

[Puckclektr]

I know. But there are people here who thinks it does not matter.

Then why would you quote me? Lol

 

[MrHeiskanen]

Being born and raised in Winnipeg, the city has done a poor job stabilizing downtown for decades. I can remember even in the late 80's and early 90's it was so bad. While building the arena downtown was a sure fire bet to attract business and people back to the downtown core, you gotta give more reasons to get people NOT to venture to St.Vital or Polo Park every damn weekend. I've heard the excuses of 'there's no parking downtown' and 'have you seen downtown? You wanna walk down there? Gross!' sayings for years.

I visit from time to time there, downtown looks appealing better now than it did 25-30 years ago but there's not much people around there besides Jets games/concerts. The downtown core should be a place where people meet and great/have a good time/walk around and venture.

The potential for downtown Winnipeg is tremendous, just have to promote it better.

It was getting better, but COVID killed it.

 

[Jozay]

Lmao

 

[Coffey]

According to NHL.com the attendance in. Nashville was 17,216 which is over capacity but given what the score was and how the team played I would say that there was plenty of empty seats by the middle of the 2nd and probably almost empty by the 3rd period.

Ya I guess you’re right. Damn didn’t feel like 17k at all haha

 

[Bank Shot]

Lmao

Doesn't even look empty. Maybe some teams are just reporting real attendance now?

Surely no one believes the Capitals sold out 588 games in a row legitimately right?

 

[Mobiandi]

Who cares tbh

Selling out 41 games a season is unrealistic. NHL ticket prices are out of control

 

[SomeDude]

Doesn't even look empty. Maybe some teams are just reporting real attendance now?

Surely no one believes the Capitals sold out 588 games in a row legitimately right?

I don’t think you understand the point of that photo.

 

[Voight]

Live sports is the worst value for the dollar that I can imagine.

The presentation sucks. The seats suck. The food is insanely overpriced. Getting to the game sucks.
And after all that.. you have a 50% chance of your team losing and going home depressed.

This isn't some hot ticket rare experience, either. This isn't like the Rolling Stones coming to town and an experience you will fondly remember your whole life. This happens 40+ times a year.. EVERY YEAR.

I swear some of these people pay 500 bucks to get selfie at the game.

Agree for the most part when it comes to the regular season (depending on your level of fandom/interest I'd argue its worth it for situations like a popular athletes final season or if theres a good chance a notable record will be broken) but playoffs is a different story specifically when its a championship game/series.