Colts attendance ranks 27th in the NFL, with only 92.4% of Lucas Oil Stadium filled this seasongetty images
The Colts had the "two smallest crowds in Lucas Oil Stadium history to open this season and the worst back-to-back home game attendance" since the middle of the '98 season, and team COO Pete Ward "had a feeling something like this might be coming," according to Jim Ayello of the INDIANAPOLIS STAR. The Colts at 1-5 "rank 27th in the NFL" with 92.4% of capacity this season. Ward: "Last year’s (season ticket) renewal rate was 82 percent. That’s the lowest percentage in over 20 years, so we knew we would have plenty of seats to sell.” Ayello notes average ticket sales are "up across the NFL," but for Colts fans the "predominant notion seems to be simple: This team isn’t worth our time or our money." Of more than 7,000 respondents in a Twitter survey, 40% "voted for 'The Colts aren’t good enough.'” Another 28% said that cost was the "biggest factor" in not attending games. According to TickPick.com, the Colts had the "lowest average purchase price per ticket at $116.86 heading into the season." That was "nearly $91 cheaper" than the league-wide average of $207.69. This comes as the team has "missed the playoffs for three consecutive years" for the first time since '92-94. Ward: "We haven’t done a scientific study, but two seasons of .500 and last year at 4-12 were certainly a factor." With seats readily available, the Colts have "amplified their efforts to sell them." Ward said that the team has "invested in sales and marketing staff 'like never before in franchise history'" (INDIANAPOLIS STAR, 10/19).
