Sounders May Expand Stadium Capacity Due To Ticket Demand
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Sounders FC To Break Galaxy's
MLS Attendance Records |
The MLS Sounders have already "begun planning for next season, and every indication is that demand for tickets will again exceed supply -- even an increased supply," according to Don Ruiz of the Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE. Sounders investor & GM Adrian Hanauer: "The one thing I can tell you is that through some initial season-ticket polling, a very, very large percentage have said that they’re almost certain to renew. Many of those have said that they want more tickets. And we have a very, very healthy waiting list right now." Ruiz notes the renewal numbers and a waiting list "of more than 6,000 has the Sounders leaning toward an expanded Qwest Field seating configuration." Hanauer: "We haven't decided 100[%]. But the area of highest consideration is the Hawks Nest. If we increase capacity, I would say that is currently the most likely direction." The Hawks Nest is a "wedge-shaped section of 2,200 bench-type seats in the north end zone." This season, that area "has been covered by a tarp advertising X-box 360 Live, the club's jersey sponsor." Ruiz notes the Sounders early this season "settled in with an approximate capacity of 27,700," and then "after 10 consecutive sellouts, the capacity was increased to the current 32,400." The Sounders have drawn 430,347 fans through 14 home games for an average of 30,739. When the team plays its October 24 regular season home finale against FC Dallas, it will "officially break the Los Angeles Galaxy's MLS record set in 1996 for average attendance (28,916) and total home attendance (462,650 over 16 games)" (Tacoma NEWS TRIBUNE, 9/23).
TAKING IT SERIOUSLY: In Columbus, Shawn Mitchell reports the MLS Crew "won't peddle" tonight's CONCACAF Champions League game against Mexican soccer club Cruz Azul "at a discount." Crew President & GM Mark McCullers: "Any game that the Crew plays in Crew Stadium has a certain value. The Champions League is an important competition. If you price it like minor-league baseball, then that is how people are going to perceive it. I don't think that is appropriate." Mitchell notes the Crew, Dynamo and DC United all have advanced to the Champions League group stage and have "averaged 7,755 fans for weeknight home games in the tournament, with ticket prices normally equal to or higher than those of MLS games." Those three clubs have "played in front of crowds averaging 15,147 for MLS games, mostly on the weekend" (COLUMBUS DISPATCH, 9/23).
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