 |
Denver celebrated a title in Philadelphia, but the event attendance numbers were down again.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES
|
Seven straight years of declining attendance at the NCAA lacrosse championship has prompted the association to take a closer look at one of its premier events.
The lacrosse finals have been one of the NCAA’s best-attended championships with crowds approaching 50,000 in years past. But when only 24,215 fans showed up at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia to watch the University of Denver defeat Maryland on Memorial Day, it appeared that the rapidly growing sport had hit a snag.
While sponsor activation remained strong and the fan fest, presented by Enterprise, was as large as ever, attendance remained a trouble spot. The crowd last week was less than half of the 48,970 in 2008 when the game reached its peak attendance.
| Year |
Site |
Attendance |
| 2015 |
Philadelphia |
24,215 |
| 2014 |
Baltimore |
25,587 |
| 2013 |
Philadelphia |
28,224 |
| 2012 |
Foxboro |
30,816 |
| 2011 |
Baltimore |
35,611 |
| 2010 |
Baltimore |
37,126 |
| 2009 |
Foxboro |
41,935 |
| 2008 |
Baltimore |
48,970 |
| 2007 |
Baltimore |
48,443 |
| 2006 |
Philadelphia |
47,062 |
| 2005 |
Philadelphia |
44,920 |
Source: NCAA.com
“There’s been a real saturation factor over the years as the sport has grown,” said Anthony Holman, an NCAA assistant director who oversees the lacrosse championship. “If you wanted to see a big game with great teams, you used to get that only at the NCAA championships. Now there are great games on TV beginning in February. It’s diluted that feeling that you’ve got to be here.”
For example, Holman said there were 42 live college lacrosse broadcasts on TV this season, compared with 18 when NCAA attendance was at its highest seven years ago.
The NCAA has huddled with members of the Intercollegiate Men’s Lacrosse Coaches Association, U.S. Lacrosse officials and other stakeholders to talk about ticketing, marketing, travel, promotions and fan engagement. A $99 family four-pack, including hot dogs and sodas, was introduced this year, and ticket buyers could opt in to a loyalty program, which provided opportunities to watch practice, a lanyard, commemorative ticket, $5 off food and $10 off merchandise.
Holman said the NCAA hoped for 5,000 loyalty sign-ups and received 7,700.
The championship returns to Philadelphia next year.
