Attendance at Ice Dogs Game(s)

[Niagara Ice Dogs]

Just wondering if anyone has noticed that the attendance always seems to be lighter in person than what is usually announced at the third period.

I've noticed a few Thursday games being announced at about 2,400 and the place looking quite packed, and then watching a Sunday game with attendance looking CONSIDERABLY lighter but still being called at about 2,100.

Are they fudging the number?? Thoughts?

[WellandDogsFan]

My guess would be that they are announcing the number of tickets sold. but if they are fudging (which I dont think they are) they are fudging by a lot. Take yesterdays game in Brampton for example. they announced just over 2,000 in attendance but I figured they were closer to 1300-1500 people there. Just my opinion.

[Niagara Ice Dogs]

Not sure what the protocol is when announcing attendance, but I figured they would go by amount of tickets ripped at the doors/gates (which by the looks of it they don't monitor), rather than tickets sold, but I guess going by tickets sold would be the way to go. Easier logistically I guess - just tends to throw me off!!!

If they announce the first sell-out with a crap-load of empty seats, then I would start to worry lol

[slamr]

By the looks of some of the other teams games I'd say that it is tickets sold...not actual attendance.
Some of our games look a little suspect too. Don't really know, just my guess.

[WellandDogsFan]

Oh I couldnt agree more.... I would be suspious if the announced a sell out with a ton of empty seats. I have talked with the Burke's on many different occassions and they dont strike me as the type of people that would try to pull off something like that.

[Niagara Ice Dogs]

Well, I hope they aren't allocating comp. tickets into the mix... I really would like to get an exact number of people in attendance... They should count tickets ripped at the next game and compare to tickets sold / given away!

[WellandDogsFan]

I wonder how many tix are comped. and I agree I would rather know the total in attendance not how many tickets were sold.

[Niagara Ice Dogs]

I call the Ice Dogs office way too much as it is lol ... Someone should give them a call and see how they calculate attendance numbers.

I'm sure there are a BOATLOAD of tickets that are complimentary, and never ever used... Sad.

[WellandDogsFan]

I know they were giving tix away during the preseason but havent heard of them comping regular season tix

[GoDogsGo]

ever notice what they do with the ripped stub from your ticket... in the garbage can/bag... so by seeing that...they go by tickets sold... dont forget...there are 1000 ish season ticket holders....

[Niagara Ice Dogs]

Hope they're recycling those stubs ;) ...

[strohs]

I would think, they would go by tickets sold...for a number of reasons:

(a) it would be easier to determine the attendance, simply by addiing up all the unsold seats, rather than counting the number of ticket stubs ripped at the game...plus, the logistics would be easier...they probably have it on the computer that generates the tickets, as to how many have been sold, and how many remain available, could you imagine dumping the bags with all the stubs, and then counting them all? why? Plus, I really doubt the owners care much if they've sold a seat, but, for whatever reason, the person was unable to attend.

(b) I think for the most part, that the attendance they've been reporting has been fairly realistic...think about it, apparently the Jack has 2800 seats (I could be wrong, but I believe thats what it is), and I believe, standing room is approximately another 300 seats...the team's policy is that they do not sell standing room tickets (at least, this is what I believe, as per their website), unless the seats are all sold out. So, if the games are not sold out, than, whoever is standing around the top, has bought seats, but, for whatever reason, they prefer to stand...so, if everyone was sitting in their seats, rather than standing, the attendence number announced would more accurately reflect the number of empty seats showing. Does that make any sense to you guys, it does to me!

(c) finally, I don't think the burke's have anything to gain by "papering the house", ie, inflating attendance figures...I compare it to cheating on your golf card...you're only fooling yourself, and if you repeatedly cheat on your score card, how can you accurately gauge the progress of your golf game? You never really know how well/poorly you are playing, if you are cheating....I think the same holds true for the Burke's and their ability to accurately gauge the progress of the franchise.

Anyways, thats my two cents, now, back to work!

[WellandDogsFan]

(b) I think for the most part, that the attendance they've been reporting has been fairly realistic...think about it, apparently the Jack has 2800 seats (I could be wrong, but I believe thats what it is), and I believe, standing room is approximately another 300 seats...the team's policy is that they do not sell standing room tickets (at least, this is what I believe, as per their website), unless the seats are all sold out. So, if the games are not sold out, than, whoever is standing around the top, has bought seats, but, for whatever reason, they prefer to stand...so, if everyone was sitting in their seats, rather than standing, the attendence number announced would more accurately reflect the number of empty seats showing. Does that make any sense to you guys, it does to me!


There is a member of this site who always stands. Does he have a ticket for a seat? Yes he does. so yes all those that are standing have tix for seats but for whatever reason choose to stand.

[Niagara Ice Dogs]

I absolutely agree with you on this one, but at the same time. A couple of thoughts:

a handled clicker held by a staff at each entry level would provide an exact count (or very close to) of how many people were at the game. I'm not saying do this regularly, but at least gauge how many people are at the game, not how many seats have been sold. If you are giving away comp. tickets and they aren't being put to use, then I would divert marketing attention elsewhere.

The seats aren't even sold out yet, and the congestion at the arena - if you ask me - is horrendous. I'm not complaining, but if they aren't able to get people to their seats quicker now, when the arena is sold out (including standing room), they'll be in for a rude awakening.

If you are announcing a sold out arena night after night, the demand for tickets will go up, and this will also raise the awareness of the Ice Dogs and make a ticket harder to come by. Why do you think it there is such a waiting list for Maple Leaf Season Tickets? It sure is hell not because they're a winning team.

I think they need to find out what is happening with their comp. tickets, or why people aren't using there tickets - if in fact, this is the case... If you ask me - and looking at the empty seats - this is the case. 2400 in attendance means there would only be 400 empty seats. I'll say 300 of designated seating tickets are people standing, which means only 700 seats empty... To me, there is more like 900-1200 empty game after game.

[WellandDogsFan]

I absolutely agree with you on this one, but at the same time. A couple of thoughts:

a handled clicker held by a staff at each entry level would provide an exact count (or very close to) of how many people were at the game. I'm not saying do this regularly, but at least gauge how many people are at the game, not how many seats have been sold. If you are giving away comp. tickets and they aren't being put to use, then I would divert marketing attention elsewhere.

The seats aren't even sold out yet, and the congestion at the arena - if you ask me - is horrendous. I'm not complaining, but if they aren't able to get people to their seats quicker now, when the arena is sold out (including standing room), they'll be in for a rude awakening.

If you are announcing a sold out arena night after night, the demand for tickets will go up, and this will also raise the awareness of the Ice Dogs and make a ticket harder to come by. Why do you think it there is such a waiting list for Maple Leaf Season Tickets? It sure is hell not because they're a winning team.

I think they need to find out what is happening with their comp. tickets, or why people aren't using there tickets - if in fact, this is the case... If you ask me - and looking at the empty seats - this is the case. 2400 in attendance means there would only be 400 empty seats. I'll say 300 of designated seating tickets are people standing, which means only 700 seats empty... To me, there is more like 900-1200 empty game after game.
I agree with the congestion.. I wish they would clear the aisle ways.
You are making an assumption that there are comp tix for the games. we dont know if there are or not.

This is the first season of the franchise and only 5 games into the home schedule. I think the attendance has been ok so far. I am sure once the word gets out that we have a great team and it cools down a bit I bet we will be drawing close to 3,000 a night.

[Niagara Ice Dogs]

Comp. tickets as in giveaways to local radio stations for on-air contest use, season ticket holder giving their tickets away to clients etc. I have a buddy who owns four season tickets and has been to one game. I always look back to see if he's there, and his four seats are always empty. I'm sure there is an abundance of corporate season ticket holders whose tickets go to waste... The season ticket holder next to me came up to me on Thursday's game and asked if I wanted his two as he was not able to make the Sunday game... I took them off him and put them to use.

Ah well, kicking a dead horse ... but in the end ... I really hope they are able to entice all of their season ticket holders to make sure there tickets go to use, and help fill the arena as much as possible.

And put people in there seats! They don't sell standing room until the seats are sold out for a reason - to make the arena look more full! What's the point if only 2100 tickets are sold, and standing room only is rammed.

[WellandDogsFan]

Its killing me that we cant make it to sundays game but we made sure our tickets are going to be put to use. dont want the seats empty, thats for sure.

I agree about putting the standing fans in their seats.

[strohs]

Its killing me that we cant make it to sundays game but we made sure our tickets are going to be put to use. dont want the seats empty, thats for sure.

I agree about putting the standing fans in their seats.

When I bought my season tickets I did it with the full understanding that for reasons beyond my control (see wife), I would not be able to get to all the games, so I split a little less than half the season with my buddies, so, all of my tickets are actually used.

The sad thing is, people in this area should not take for granted such a great team....as the OHL can be cyclical, unless you're the Kitchener Rangers and/or London Knights (although they seem to be possibly rebuilding this year)...we should be selling this damn barn out, regularly, any time now, once the good weather is gone.

[WellandDogsFan]

Well said! I agree 100%

I am hoping that this sunday is the only game we are going to miss. But rest assured, our seats will NEVER go unoccupied.

[Niagara Ice Dogs]

Good to hear everyone is putting their tix to use, I know I am ... Haven't missed a game yet, but I'm sure I'll have to miss one or two due to some sort of commitments my wife has planned for us lol

I'm going to start a thread called 'Tickets Available', for those times when you are looking to put your seats to good use!

[TheQuietOne]

At my sports-team-of-employment, I've heard the attendance announced while I was still letting people through the turnstiles. Ripped tickets are definitely not counted, as they are still in the box during the next game! I don't know of one team that actually counts attendance based on the number of bodies, it is definitely the number of seats that have been sold/given away.

[GoDogsGo]

sounds right... easiest way to know...how many sold...very easy to track...

[AlphaDog]

Just wondering if anyone has noticed that the attendance always seems to be lighter in person than what is usually announced at the third period.

I've noticed a few Thursday games being announced at about 2,400 and the place looking quite packed, and then watching a Sunday game with attendance looking CONSIDERABLY lighter but still being called at about 2,100.

Are they fudging the number?? Thoughts?

Season ticket holders. They have no way of knowing the head count in the arena, so they're stating the # of tickets sold for that game. Not all season ticket holders come to all the games, but they did technically but a seat for that game, so they count as being there.

That's GOT to be the reason for Brampton announcing 2000+ at their last game - it looked like an empty cave on TV!!

[AlphaDog]

Well, I"ve been to EVERY pre-season and regular season home game so far - so *I'M* not one of those that buys a ticket and leave the seat empty! :) :)

[WellandDogsFan]

Well, I"ve been to EVERY pre-season and regular season home game so far - so *I'M* not one of those that buys a ticket and leave the seat empty! :) :)
neither are we. we have been to everything including the black and white game.