- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
What’s the real reason for poor non-playoff bowl attendance?
Posted on 12/31/25 at 4:54 pm
Posted on 12/31/25 at 4:54 pm
I’m not talking about these games with Sun Belt and AAC squads. I’m watching the Citrus Bowl…two good teams, playing hard, passionate fanbases, and the upper decks are roughly half full. Are there not enough people in the Orlando area that want to see a good game at a cheap price?
The same can be said for the Gator Bowl. I didn’t see the Reliaquest crowd. These games are no more meaningless now than they ever were. I am convinced they are still rewards for the players, as most of these guys aren’t going to play at the next level anyway.
I make it a point to go to Houston or San Antonio every year for those bowls, and the Alamo seems to be one of the few that has been immune to the declines. You can always count on good matchups for some of these bowls. I can even understand why Texas and Michigan fans wouldn’t travel after dropping cash on recent playoff runs, but the upper decks are usually filled with locals, yeah?
I hate seeing yet another aspect of sports that I loved trending downward.
The same can be said for the Gator Bowl. I didn’t see the Reliaquest crowd. These games are no more meaningless now than they ever were. I am convinced they are still rewards for the players, as most of these guys aren’t going to play at the next level anyway.
I make it a point to go to Houston or San Antonio every year for those bowls, and the Alamo seems to be one of the few that has been immune to the declines. You can always count on good matchups for some of these bowls. I can even understand why Texas and Michigan fans wouldn’t travel after dropping cash on recent playoff runs, but the upper decks are usually filled with locals, yeah?
I hate seeing yet another aspect of sports that I loved trending downward.
13
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:02 pm to TexasTiger08
quote:
These games are no more meaningless now than they ever were.
disagree, now with the portal and opt outs the team on the field in the bowl game isn't the team that was on the field in the regular season. Teams now would rather pay a fine then go to some of the bowl games.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:03 pm to TexasTiger08
It’s always been rare for non major bowls to be completely filled. I recall plenty of empty sections during past Outback Bowls, for instance.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:08 pm to TexasTiger08
Because shite is expensive as hell and none of these games matter. Even ticket prices to playoff games are showing weak demand. It cost like $40 to go to the Cotton Bowl.
College football needs to move these games to campus. It’s ridiculous to expect your fanbase to travel across country for 3 straight playoff games.
College football needs to move these games to campus. It’s ridiculous to expect your fanbase to travel across country for 3 straight playoff games.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:10 pm to mattz1122
I think Iowa and Vandy both sold out their ticket allotment for the Reliaquest. Both brought decent amount of fans. That said, the upper deck was empty.
I read on the Iowa board that Iowa fans down there noted there was zero local coverage of the game in Tampa. I'm guessing there isn't much local support. Too bad because it was a good game.
I read on the Iowa board that Iowa fans down there noted there was zero local coverage of the game in Tampa. I'm guessing there isn't much local support. Too bad because it was a good game.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:27 pm to ChiGator
quote:
Because shite is expensive as hell
quote:
Even ticket prices to playoff games are showing weak demand. It cost like $40 to go to the Cotton Bowl.
Does not compute. That’s extremely cheap, and I’m a poor. Going to see a top 25 matchup, or something similar, for $50? That’s good value.
quote:
none of these games matter.
Did the Citrus Bowl ever matter? The Alamo Bowl?
quote:
College football needs to move these games to campus. It’s ridiculous to expect your fanbase to travel across country for 3 straight playoff games.
I agree. But my post specifically mentioned non-playoff games.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:31 pm to TexasTiger08
I would hate spending the money to go to a bowl that wasn't in the CFP knowing some of my key players may be sitting out and not playing.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:34 pm to SoDakHawk
quote:
I'm guessing there isn't much local support. Too bad because it was a good game.
That’s what I’m suggesting. The crowds for these games are mostly dependent on locals/sponsors, etc. The fanbases for big schools will typically buy the allotment, but upper decks and cheap seats are left to the public. If I lived within an hour of Jax, Orlando, or Tampa, I’d go to those games every year.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:43 pm to TexasTiger08
quote:
These games are no more meaningless now than they ever were.
Logically this is correct. But with the expanded playoff, they still feel cheaper.
And also, I think bowl games suffer the same problem as movie theaters. People can watch from the comfort of home on nice TV setups.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:46 pm to SoDakHawk
quote:
Reliaquest
I wonder if the goofy names of some of these bowls have had any small effect on their prestige.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:46 pm to OK Roughneck
quote:
I would hate spending the money to go to a bowl that wasn't in the CFP knowing some of my key players may be sitting out and not playing.
This is key. I did go to the LSU-K State game where we had 36 scholarship players. I’m all about cheap tickets and a short drive. I guess if you go to the game just for a fun little trip, it’s different.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:47 pm to biglego
With a fridge full of beer, no lines, and get to click between multiple games.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:51 pm to TexasTiger08
Expand the playoffs, give the top 6 two buys and get rid of all the other bowls. It’s fricking stupid.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 5:58 pm to TexasTiger08
I read that all bowls are still cash flow positive.....I don't see it.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 6:04 pm to TexasTiger08
The cost of tickets is too damn high. I considered making a long weekend out of the game in Houston. Checked a few weeks ago, cost of the cheap seats was $150 each plus fees. Not paying $500-600 for 3 seats at the top of the stadium to see players take the field for the first time all year. I realize that if I looked the day before tickets are probably cheaper, but I need a few weeks to make it work with work. Until they do something with corporate buyers and resellers grabbing all the seats to sell at a markup there is gonna be alot of empty seats.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 6:12 pm to TexasTiger08
I couldn’t get over how small the crowd was at the Music City Bowl yesterday. The Vols have sold out the game in their other appearances, couldn’t have been 40k there yesterday. Hell, Titans tickets were going for more than this game.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 6:12 pm to TigerintheNO
quote:nor will it be next years team.
now with the portal and opt outs the team on the field in the bowl game isn't the team that was on the field in the regular season.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 6:24 pm to TexasTiger08
Many of the players don’t care. Why should I?
I wouldn’t pay a penny to go to one of these shitty games.
I wouldn’t pay a penny to go to one of these shitty games.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 6:35 pm to TexasTiger08
Flights, hotel, lunch/dinner, drinks etc is a minimum $700 trip. And that’s on the low end assuming you’re only going 1 night. Probably closer to a grand.
Posted on 12/31/25 at 7:00 pm to SuperflyLSU
quote:
Checked a few weeks ago, cost of the cheap seats was $150 each plus fees
Not sure what you checked, but I sold a pair for that game for $38 each a week prior. They released seats in the upper level a week prior for $49 including fees. This was on stubhub and Ticketmaster.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News