Monday, January 30, 2017

A Look at MLS Attendance Compared to Team Performance

Written by: Cliff Nelson

One of the best methods to determine the success of a sports team is very simply looking at its attendance. While television deals and sponsorships help fund and pay for teams, if a team isn't filling seats in its stadium, something is flawed. When looking at why some of the professional sports teams that do not see many of their tickets sell, there are many reasons for that outcome.

Since the success, or lack of success, of a team directly correlates with the attendance, it is crucial for teams to fill their seats. For instance, the NFL recently relocated the St. Louis Rams to Los Angeles after very disappointing ticket sales and attendance figures showing attendance is a paramount issue in sports. This pattern is not exclusive to the NFL as other prominent sports teams in different leagues go through the same thing.

Widely accepted as the biggest home for professional soccer in the United States, the MLS has seen continued growth ever since it was founded in 1993. Still, even though the MLS has always said that it has seen constant growth in attendance, it is important to note that attendance figures can't be taken at face value. To illustrate, this year the MLS said it drew over 7 million in attendance league wide. However, what they failed to mention that many of these tickets are given out significantly discounted prices or often for free. Giving out game tickets at a significant discount is a strategy that many failing (or even winning) teams make use of to get people into games. Much of the rise in attendance at MLS games has more to do with promotions and free tickets than the team's performance.

A good example of how an MLS team's success has a small effect on dictating how many people attend the game can be seen in FC Dallas's last two seasons. In 2015 FC Dallas was very successful. Earning the first seed in the Western Conference with an 18-10-6 record, FC Dallas’ season ended in the western conference finals, where they lost to the Portland Timbers in two close games. This past season, FC Dallas was once again excellent throughout the season, ending the season in first place in the Western Conference and a postseason finish in the Western Conference Finals.


Looking at the difference between the 2015 and 2016 seasons, many would assume that attendance would rise or stay the same. However, FC Dallas experienced the opposite as their attendance in 2016 dropped by over 12% compared to 2015 demonstrating that there is little correlation between a team's performance and people's presence in their stadium. Attending an FC Dallas game at the Toyota Stadium is an excellent way to understand why their attendance has decreased over time. From a lack of a mass transit to the opening of a nearby Tollway and organizational issues in ticket renewals, various other problems not including team performance have contributed to the decline in FC Dallas's attendance. Overall, nowadays, the success of an MLS team has less to do with attendance than other intangible issues like ticket promotion and adequate travel availability nearby the arena.

Sunday, May 10, 2015

May 10 Attendance Update


Team2015 Average AttendanceCapacityPercent Full2014 Average Attendance% Change from 2014
Chicago Fire15,50120,00077.51%16,076-3.58
Colorado Rapids13,87817,42479.65%15,082-7.98
Columbus Crew SC14,81019,96874.17%16,881-12.27
DC United14,11520,00070.58%17,030-17.12
FC Dallas15,10920,50073.70%
16,816
-10.15
Houston Dynamo20,04622,03990.96%20,117-0.35
Los Angeles Galaxy21,95627,00081.32%21,258+3.28
Montreal Impact19,13320,801*91.98%17,421+9.82
New England Revolution14,84520,00074.23%16,681-11.00
New York City FC27,73927,528*100.77%

New York Red Bulls19,05225,00076.21%19,421-1.90
Orlando City SC36,91119,500*189.29%

Philadelphia Union17,72418,50095.81%17,631+0.53
Portland Timbers21,14421,144100.00%20,806+1.62
Real Salt Lake20,10020,21399.44%20,351-1.23
San Jose Earthquakes18,00018,000100.00%14,947+20.43
Seattle Sounders FC40,06739,115102.43%43,734-8.38
Sporting Kansas City19,96918,467108.13%20,003-0.17
Toronto FC30,22630,000100.75%22,086+36.86
Vancouver Whitecaps FC20,62821,00098.23%20,408+1.08
Average20,42522,31091.55%19,148+6.67
*Teams play select games at higher capacity

Thursday, May 7, 2015

First 2015 Attendance Update


Team2015 Average AttendanceCapacityPercent Full2014 Average Attendance% Change from 2014
Chicago Fire15,37220,00076.86%16,076-4.38
Colorado Rapids13,80517,42479.23%15,082-8.47
Columbus Crew SC14,33419,96871.78%16,881-15.09
DC United13,69420,00068.47%17,030-19.59
FC Dallas15,36520,50074.95%
16,816
-8.63
Houston Dynamo20,04622,03990.96%20,117-0.35
Los Angeles Galaxy21,95627,00081.32%21,258+3.28
Montreal Impact25,24520,801*121.36%17,421+44.91
New England Revolution14,84520,00074.23%16,681-11.00
New York City FC27,73927,528*100.77%

New York Red Bulls17,51125,00070.04%19,421-9.83
Orlando City SC39,32819,500*201.68%

Philadelphia Union17,72418,50095.81%17,631+0.53
Portland Timbers21,14421,144100.00%20,806+1.62
Real Salt Lake20,10020,21399.44%20,351-1.23
San Jose Earthquakes18,00018,000100.00%14,947+20.43
Seattle Sounders FC40,06739,115102.43%43,734-8.38
Sporting Kansas City19,96918,467108.13%20,003-0.17
Toronto FC
30,000
22,086
Vancouver Whitecaps FC20,71721,00098.65%20,408+1.51
Average20,55922,31092.15%19,148+7.37
*Teams play select games at higher capacity

Monday, April 6, 2015

Short Break

Hello all,

I have gotten many emails and people reaching out why I have not posted. Currently I am in Kenya and internet is sparse. I have been here about 5 weeks and will not be back for another 4 weeks. I have a lot to update then, but expect sometime in early May I will post.

Sorry for the delay, but I will be back at it in early May when I return to the USA.

Tom

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Playoff Attendance Update

Per usual the wild card games were not well attended. Games 3 to 4 days after the end of the season are hard to sell tickets for and it is no surprise that FC Dallas mustered 10,279 in the stands while the NY Red Bulls had 15,518 watch the do or die game. This made for an average of 12,899 attendees for the wild card round.

The quarterfinals started off weak but finished well due to teams with great supporters selling out their respective stadiums. A list of attendance for each home match is listed below.

Columbus Crew - 9,040
Real Salt Lake - 20,713
New York Red Bulls - 18,054
FC Dallas - 16,112
DC United - 20,187
New England Revolution - 20,184
Los Angeles Galaxy - 27,000
Seattle Sounders - 38,912

This creates an average of 21,275 for the conference semifinals as a whole. This is above the 2011 conference semifinal average of 20,776 or the 2012 average of 20,690, but it is below the 2013 conference semifinal average of 22,789.11

I fully expect to have four sellouts for the conference finals as there is a two week break for international friendlies. The final four teams are packed with history and there is no doubt the Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy will pack their respective stadiums as the Sounders experience their first conference final and the LA Galaxy supporters may see Landon Donovan play for the final time. The NE Revolution should have no problem selling out their part of Gillette Stadium as their supporters have proved vital in the playoffs traveling to away games and packing the stands in the conference semifinals. NY will be the hardest to sell out as New Jersey for soccer never is as appealing as the football games that are on TV during the weekend.

It will be an exciting finish to the playoffs with plenty of great story lines.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

2014 Final Attendance Update


Team2014 Average AttendanceCapacityPercent Full2013 Average Attendance% Change from 2013 
Chicago Fire16,07620,00080.38%15,228+5.57
Chivas USA7,06318,80037.57%8,366-15.58
Colorado Rapids15,08217,42486.56%15,440-2.32
Columbus Crew16,88119,96884.54%16,080+4.98
DC United17,03019,46787.48%13,646+24.80
FC Dallas16,81620,50082.03%
15,373
+9.39
Houston Dynamo20,11722,03991.28%19,923+0.98
Los Angeles Galaxy21,25827,00078.73%22,152-4.03
Montreal Impact17,42120,521*84.89%20,603-15.44
NE Revolution16,68120,00083.41%14,844+12.38
New York Red Bulls19,42125,18977.10%19,461-0.20
Philadelphia Union17,63118,50095.30%17,867-1.32
Portland Timbers20,80620,674100.64%20,674+0.64
Real Salt Lake20,35120,213100.68%19,218+5.90
San Jose Earthquakes14,94710,525*142.01%12,765+17.09
Seattle Sounders43,73438,500*113.60%44,038-0.69
Sporting Kansas City20,00318,467108.32%19,709+1.49
Toronto FC22,08621,859101.04%18,131+21.81
Vancouver Whitecaps20,40821,00097.18%20,038+1.85
Average19,14821,08790.81%18,608+2.90
*Teams play select games at higher capacity

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Week 31 Attendance Update


Team2014 Average AttendanceCapacityPercent Full2013 Average Attendance% Change from 2013 
Chicago Fire15,90720,00079.54%15,228+4.46
Chivas USA7,15618,80038.06%8,366-14.47
Colorado Rapids15,08217,42486.56%15,440-2.32
Columbus Crew16,88019,96884.54%16,080+4.98
DC United17,03019,46787.48%13,646+24.80
FC Dallas16,79120,50081.91%
15,373
+9.22
Houston Dynamo20,11722,03991.28%19,923+0.98
Los Angeles Galaxy21,25827,00078.73%22,152-4.03
Montreal Impact17,55720,521*85.56%20,603-14.78
NE Revolution15,67620,00078.38%14,844+5.61
New York Red Bulls19,42125,18977.10%19,461-0.20
Philadelphia Union17,63118,50095.30%17,867-1.32
Portland Timbers20,80620,674100.64%20,674+0.64
Real Salt Lake20,33220,213100.59%19,218+5.79
San Jose Earthquakes14,94710,525*142.01%12,765+17.09
Seattle Sounders42,86338,500*111.33%44,038-2.67
Sporting Kansas City20,05418,467108.60%19,709+1.75
Toronto FC22,08621,859101.04%18,131+21.81
Vancouver Whitecaps20,37121,00097.01%20,038+1.66
Average19,04121,08790.30%18,608+2.33
*Teams play select games at higher capacity

Monday, October 13, 2014

Week 30 Attendance Update


Team2014 Average AttendanceCapacityPercent Full2013 Average Attendance% Change from 2013 
Chicago Fire15,90720,00079.54%15,228+4.46
Chivas USA7,15618,80038.06%8,366-14.47
Colorado Rapids15,07017,42486.49%15,440-2.40
Columbus Crew16,88019,96884.54%16,080+4.98
DC United16,83419,46786.47%13,646+23.36
FC Dallas16,79120,50081.91%
15,373
+9.22
Houston Dynamo19,97922,03990.65%19,923+0.28
Los Angeles Galaxy20,88427,00077.35%22,152-5.72
Montreal Impact17,55720,521*85.56%20,603-14.78
NE Revolution15,67620,00078.38%14,844+5.61
New York Red Bulls19,34225,18976.79%19,461-0.61
Philadelphia Union17,60418,50095.15%17,867-1.47
Portland Timbers20,80520,674100.63%20,674+0.63
Real Salt Lake20,33220,213100.59%19,218+5.79
San Jose Earthquakes15,22310,525*144.64%12,765+19.26
Seattle Sounders42,86338,500*111.33%44,038-2.67
Sporting Kansas City20,05418,467108.60%19,709+1.75
Toronto FC22,32121,859102.11%18,131+23.11
Vancouver Whitecaps20,33021,00096.81%20,038+1.45
Average19,02821,08790.24%18,608+2.25
*Teams play select games at higher capacity

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Week 29 Attendance Update


Team2014 Average AttendanceCapacityPercent Full2013 Average Attendance% Change from 2013 
Chicago Fire15,90720,00079.54%15,228+4.46
Chivas USA7,29718,80038.82%8,366-12.77
Colorado Rapids15,07017,42486.49%15,440-2.40
Columbus Crew16,88019,96884.54%16,080+4.98
DC United16,83419,46786.47%13,646+23.36
FC Dallas16,64120,50081.17%
15,373
+8.25
Houston Dynamo19,85322,03990.08%19,923-0.35
Los Angeles Galaxy20,88427,00077.35%22,152-5.72
Montreal Impact17,76920,521*86.59%20,603-13.76
NE Revolution15,67620,00078.38%14,844+5.61
New York Red Bulls19,02725,18975.54%19,461-2.23
Philadelphia Union17,72118,50095.79%17,867-0.87
Portland Timbers20,80520,674100.63%20,674+0.63
Real Salt Lake20,30720,213100.47%19,218+5.67
San Jose Earthquakes15,22310,525*144.64%12,765+19.26
Seattle Sounders42,00338,500*109.10%44,038-4.62
Sporting Kansas City20,12918,467109.00%19,709+2.13
Toronto FC22,59121,859103.35%18,131+24.60
Vancouver Whitecaps20,33021,00096.81%20,038+1.45
Average18,94121,08789.82%18,608+1.79
*Teams play select games at higher capacity

Sunday, September 28, 2014

Week 28 Attendance


Team2014 Average AttendanceCapacityPercent Full2013 Average Attendance% Change from 2013 
Chicago Fire15,77320,00078.87%15,228+3.58
Chivas USA6,94218,80036.93%8,366-17.02
Colorado Rapids14,90017,42485.52%15,440-3.50
Columbus Crew16,88019,96884.54%16,080+4.98
DC United16,66919,46785.63%13,646+22.15
FC Dallas16,64120,50081.17%
15,373
+8.25
Houston Dynamo19,85322,03990.08%19,923-0.35
Los Angeles Galaxy20,67227,00076.56%22,152-6.68
Montreal Impact17,76920,521*86.59%20,603-13.76
NE Revolution15,17820,00075.89%14,844+2.25
New York Red Bulls18,84625,18974.82%19,461-3.16
Philadelphia Union17,92618,50096.90%17,867+0.33
Portland Timbers20,80520,674100.63%20,674+0.63
Real Salt Lake20,30720,213100.47%19,218+5.67
San Jose Earthquakes15,53710,525*147.62%12,765+21.71
Seattle Sounders42,00338,500*109.10%44,038-4.62
Sporting Kansas City20,12918,467109.00%19,709+2.13
Toronto FC22,59121,859103.35%18,131+24.60
Vancouver Whitecaps20,34021,00096.86%20,038+1.51
Average18,96921,08789.96%18,608+1.94
*Teams play select games at higher capacity