Attendance 2012-2013

[sherridan]

Hi everyone,

As the league website doesn't seem to track attendance figures, I figured it would be interesting to keep track of them here.

I will start with what I have:

Windsor - Nov 2 (vs Halifax)- 3000+
Summerside - Nov 2 (vs Saint John) - 2119
Saint John - Nov 3 (vs Montreal) - 2279
London - Nov 3 (vs Halifax) - 3456
Windsor - Nov 3 (vs Oshawa) - 500
Moncton - Nov 4 (vs Montreal) - ???

So far, not including the Moncton game, the league is averaging about 2270 fans a game. Not bad.

Please feel free to contribute and post updates as well - some attendance figures are easier to come by then others.

[JJSA]

I'm glad you started this thread, sherridan. I'm a big numbers nerd and I enjoy keeping track of attendance figures as best I can.

To be honest, the best way to get attendance numbers often is to more or less grill the league and the home team to start listening the TRUE (Not 500, 3000) numbers on the official box scores.

Interesting to note that the attendance of the Lightning home opener is actually down this year from what it was last season. Last years opener vs Halifax drew 3,600 and change. Cause for concern in London?

[sherridan]

Thanks, you are right, the Windsor numbers came from the local paper, the Windsor Star, which didn't specify exact numbers.

As for the attendance in London. I am actually from London and can say that there were many more ticket giveaways last year than this year. There were some, but not nearly as many as the first year. So I think this is more of a reflection of actual paid tickets.

I don't see any reason for concern. Yet anyway. It will be interesting to see what the attendance is like in the 2nd home game this Thursday.

That being said, it was reported that the Lightning sold over 1600 season's tickets this year (compared to 800 last year), so I am thinking we should expect average crowds of at least 2000-2500 nightly.

Cheers!

[JJSA]

Yeah I lived in London until August of this year when we (the girlfriend and I) moved here to Kingston for her to do her masters program at Queen's. I must have gone to about 10-12 Lightning games last season. I know London had the 2nd best attendance last season, with Halifax being 1st. I just expected there to be far more people at the game on Saturday due to it being opening night with the banner raising etc.

[sherridan]

Yes, I too expected the attendance to be higher for opening night and was a bit disappointed to see it was lower. That being said the crowd was fantastic - very loud and extremely vocal. Looking forward to seeing what happens the rest of the season.

[JJSA]

I have asked the Miracles and the league what the attendance was for the Montreal vs Moncton game on Sunday (Nov. 4th). No reply from either so far...hopefully we don't get stumped already.

[Cashcleaner]

Only 500 people made it out to the Express's inaugural game? That's disappointing. Hopefully Oshawa see much more than that through the gates on Saturday for their home opener.

[stormy69]

Hope all teams are sucessful at the gate for the longevity of the league. At home here (Summerside) it will be interesting to watch the numbers as there were tons of free tickets given out last season as compared to being purchased this year. Game 1 was a good turnout just over 2000. With markham and maybe a couple other teams interested for next season, things are looking good for NBL canada.

[sherridan]

Only 500 people made it out to the Express's inaugural game? That's disappointing. Hopefully Oshawa see much more than that through the gates on Saturday for their home opener.

The Express actually had over 3000 for their home opener on Nov 2nd. They had another home game the next night (the 3rd) which drew 500. Which quite honestly was to be expected - unfortunate scheduling really - can't expect people to take two nights out of their weekend for an unknown product. Overall a pretty decent weekend - an average of over 1700.

[Cashcleaner]

Only 500 people made it out to the Express's inaugural game? That's disappointing. Hopefully Oshawa see much more than that through the gates on Saturday for their home opener.

The Express actually had over 3000 for their home opener on Nov 2nd. They had another home game the next night (the 3rd) which drew 500. Which quite honestly was to be expected - unfortunate scheduling really - can't expect people to take two nights out of their weekend for an unknown product. Overall a pretty decent weekend - an average of over 1700.

Oh yeah, that's right. They played Halifax for their first game and Oshawa the next night. Yeah, with a back-to-back schedule like that, it's not entirely surprising the second game wasn't well-attended. 3000 for the match against The Rainmen is pretty respectable.

[JJSA]

Moncton - Nov 4 (vs Montreal) - 2,021. Source: Chuck Miller (League Statistician)

[sherridan]

Great, thanks JJSA. Pretty decent result for Moncton as well.

And won't skew my rough average of 2200 fans a game.

It would nice if the league statistician posted the attendance numbers somewhere on the main site (or at the very least, here )

[sherridan]

London - Nov 8 (vs Oshawa) - 1681

I think now we can perhaps be a little concerned about London...

Once again, can't seem to find the Moncton attendance anywhere.

[sherridan]

Moncton - Nov 8 (vs Halifax) - 1803

Good for Moncton - outdrew London, wow...

[JJSA]

Saint John vs Summerside (November 9th) - 2,042.

Why is Summerisde (pop. 14,751) drawing more fans than London? (pop. 366,151) Good on you, Summerside! Bad on you, London.

[Cashcleaner]

I was at the Power/Express game tonight with two others and I'd say the crowd probably totaled less than 500. Unless something substantial is done to market this team, the Power's days in Oshawa are numbered.

[JJSA]

500 eh...yikes. You're right, both the owners of the Power and the fans in the GTA are going to have to get their act together if the Power are to stay in Oshawa beyond this season.


sherridan,

Are you able to take all of the (official) attendance numbers for each game and add them to the list in your original post on this thread? Will be an easy way to keep track all season long, pal.

[JJSA]

Saint John vs Halifax (November 10th) - 3,261

Moncton vs Halifax (November 11th) - 2,259

[sherridan]

I would do that, however, it would now be a waste of resources, as Chuck (the league statistician) is now including these numbers in the weekly league report. You can find the report here:

http://nblcanada.pointstreaksites.com/view/nblcanada/nbl-canada-headlines/weekly-report

The report now includes a running total of attendance for each game played. You have to scroll down to the ' NATIONAL BASKETBALL LEAGUE OF CANADA SCHEDULES AND RESULTS' section. Unfortunately, it looks like Windsor has not been reporting actual attendance yet - hopefully they start doing so soon.

We can still use this thread as a way of discussing these numbers though...

Seriously - 340 for Oshawa's home opener? How much longer can they last? A mid season move to another city would probably get better results at this point....

[Guest]

London vs Oshawa November 15th - 99

[JJSA]

London vs Oshawa November 15th - 99

Wow....just wow.

[Guest]

Summerside vs Oshawa November 17th - 122

[JJSA]

Summerside vs Oshawa November 17th - 122

I guess we will look on the bright side and say it's on the rise? lol

[stormfan27]

I noticed they have listed the 2011-2012 Attendance in the new Media Guide I decided to post here for Quick reference:
Total Avg
Halifax 58942 3275
London 45970 2553
Summerside 44793 2489
Saint John 38226 2124
Moncton 24522 1362
Oshawa 21399* 1188*
Quebec 17242 958


Includes the January 26 game where Rogers purchased all 5542 tickets. Without this game attendance is 15587 avg is 933.

[sherridan]

Only just over 1800 last night in London....there are still people going, just disappointing that the numbers are dropping form last year....

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