Will attendance in Toronto continue to grow?

CFL Talk
1

I mean, they've already doubled their attendance in only three years.

How high will it go?

Toronto has the market to sell out a 55,000-seat Skydome every game.

But will the Torontonians give it a chance?

The most common reason I hear for Torontonians who like the NFL over the CFL is "more excitement", "better tailgates", "every game feels like an event."

Could the CFL in Toronto replicate that feel?

2

Biggest problem is Tailgating. No Big lot like at other stadiums just small, expensive spots here and there where you squeeze next to Beemers and Benzez by Bankers who had to come in to work that weekend. Am I wrong? Where do you put the BBQ? LOL

3

The Argos are the best entertainment value for money in Toronto. Did you watch that Leaf/Sens game last night, my goodness, no real hitting like football, just a fast game of shinny. Hockey is a great game but not worth what people pay for tickets in Toronto, maybe other NHL cities as well IMHO.

But I will go to an NHL game if someone gives me free tickets.

4

I think that 50,000 per game is a little high.

But they could continue this and add to it if they keep their great promotion up , as they are.

Toronto is a tough market with lots of compitition for people's dollars.

You also have teams in HAMILTON and Buffalo.

Our media would have to cover the CFL allot better.

BUT things are looking vastley better now than just 3 years ago.

5

Actually, a bunch from ArgoFans.com do some tailgating at a lot just east of the Rogers Centre (between the MTCC South Building and the ACC). Although, said lot they’re in now may be jeopardy next season, thanks to a bigger eyesore (IMO) than the Gardiner: condo development. :roll:

6

That's cool, I just wish there was a nice big 'official' lot by Rogers where we can all meet up and bbq like in other cities, but its hard in real estate crazy toronto. no kidding those condos are going up like crazy. every time I take the gardiner I see a few more coming up I never remembered from the last time.

7

How much does the last game of the season usually get? More or less than the season opener?

8

It depends on the matchup and the importance of the game. The Argos' regular season finale is slated for the 28th against the Als, and there's a good chance first place in the East will be on the line in that game.

The Boatmen currently have a 1-point advantage in the tie-breaker against the Birds, so this matchup will pretty much decide who gets the first week bye in the playoffs. So I'd expect a pretty decent turnout for this..maybe 35-40 thousand?

9

Good point Mongo, Montreal is now the biggest draw and I enjoy them more than the Ti-Cats. Also in the final game, season ticket members usually trade in their unused tickets and bring someone, combined with the fact that it could be the last time they play at home I expect 35 000+

In fact, with Thanksgiving, kick for a million and the season final, I expect no less than 30 000 for the rest of the year.

10
Good point Mongo, Montreal is now the biggest draw and I enjoy them more than the Ti-Cats. Also in the final game, season ticket members usually trade in their unused tickets and bring someone, combined with the fact that it could be the last time they play at home I expect 35 000+

In fact, with Thanksgiving, kick for a million and the season final, I expect no less than 30 000 for the rest of the year.


Those sound like very conservative numbers to me.

Last year we got 34,000 on Thanksgiving and 40,000 on the final game of the season.

The final game of the season is always a signifacantly higher draw than the first. Last year it was 40,000-31,000. This year we only got 28,000 for the first game.