RSL home game attendance question/observation

[RSLfrontrowfan]

Do you think the late (7:30pm) start times have a negative impact on attendance? IMHO I say yes. I think if more of the games were afternoon games more parents would bring their younger children. It would be interesting to see what if any difference there is in attendance league wide between the afternoon and late games. Based on our limited home game history I don't think one could make a justified claim as our only afternoon game was the inagural home game.

Thoughts?

[Aero]

There are pros and cons to afternoon games. Many of the kids that you are claiming would be more likely to come to games in the afternoons are also on youth soccer teams that may have games during that time. So, you might not gain as much as you think by having afternoon games.

I think that when the weather gets hotter, I'll certainly be glad that the games are in the evening instead of the afternoon. I think that overall, there are more pros to having them in the evening than there are cons. I know that I'm not too concerned about keeping my kids out a little late on a Saturday evening. I'd rather do that than have them baking in the hot afternoon sun.

[jasoncox]

Originally Posted by RSLfrontrowfan

Based on our limited home game history I don't think one could make a justified claim as our only afternoon game was the inagural home game.

I think that's exactly why we can't count it. Inaugural games are always well attended unless your name is Chivas.

Isn't it a little silly to be discussing the affect of times on home game attendance after only 2 games? But I guess whatever discussion takes the attention off our anemic offense is a good one...

[rabble-rabble]

After having attended most of the Blitzz games the last few summers where most of the games started in mid-afternoon (to cut down on lighting costs) I am very grateful that most of the home games are slated for a later time. On more than several occasions, temperatures have been in triple digits at kickoff. This summer, I anticipate much more pleasant temperatures when kickoff for a mid-July match is at 730PM.

[HibaIssa]

Yes, some of the Blitzz games were horrible with the heat. I can't imagine how it was for the players. When it gets warmer (you know, after it stops snowing :p) the later games will be a blessing.

[Old Ska]

MISL attendances were markedly better across the league this season during afternoon games.

[theholmes]

Im up for the games being played at midnight over the summer. Im one who hates the heat more than I hate gin, and I HATE gin.

Has anyone ever been on the field-turf in the sun. I went on it once, and it was only about an 85 degree afternoon, and I felt the heat through my shoes. That plastic gets warm. Day games in the summer would be murder. Cheers to the Blitzz cats that did it.

[Deuce]

Originally Posted by theholmes

Has anyone ever been on the field-turf in the sun. I went on it once, and it was only about an 85 degree afternoon, and I felt the heat through my shoes. That plastic gets warm. Day games in the summer would be murder. Cheers to the Blitzz cats that did it.

I was on the field turf today and it was only about 65-70 deg, I certainly felt it through my shoes...

It was not unbearable but I would imagine it would be on a 90 deg day and a full 90 match... OUCH!

[Merrill]

Originally Posted by rabble-rabble

This summer, I anticipate much more pleasant temperatures when kickoff for a mid-July match is at 730PM.

Mid-July may well still be snowing. Will summer actually ever come? I'm with everyone on the heat though. I hate it. My arms just finally stopped peeling from the sunburn I got April 16th. That was pleasant temperatures, and I was still boiling. Maybe they could get away with 4:00pm start times, but I really prefer the night games. Then you don't even have to deal with the sun in your eyes.

Speaking of attendance. Anyone know what to expect tomorrow? I remember two weeks ago, a newspaper article said they had already sold 10,000. So what have we gotten since.

[jasoncox]

My guess is 18K.