Attendance Update across P5 WCBB

[visitingcock]

Key words there: “on this board”.

While I have been posting on this board with a visible gamecock moniker since Feb 2016 - a year BEFORE our first championship.

I have been a gamecock since 1965 and started attending Carolina in 1973. My undergraduate degree is all gamecock and I started posting on fgf/rivals ( as Sgacock) in 2000. I have 30,000 posts - as a Gamecock - on rivals soundoff.

To be called a Hawkeye for being a non- homer on a neutral board is - well - indicative of this age of anonymous forum trolls who don’t even show their allegiance to schools in their board names or avatars. Are you even a gamecock Mr. Army football?

 

[triaddukefan]

You see this is the kind of stuff that happens when you eat mustard in your bbq

 

[JellyBean]

Loving the numbers. I am just glad that folks are getting out and watching these games! Since we don't have school today, I was able to catch a flight from Minneapolis to Ann Arbor, Michigan to watch the Michigan/Michigan State game. Nice turn out for the game for a rivalry game.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

You see this is the kind of stuff that happens when you eat mustard in your bbq

I don't even like BBQ.

 

[Darwin]

You see this is the kind of stuff that happens when you eat mustard in your bbq

Brilliant response triad, I had a good laugh, kudos.

 

[DefenseBB]

Well, Iowa State has always had very good attendance. I expect Iowa will remain strong. Maybe not AS strong but strong

This is like saying Tennessee from the SEC has had really good attendance so SC will remain strong…

For your files, SC is #1 for the past 5 years of attendance and ISU is #2 at 9,809 with UConn #3 at 9,786 and Iowa now 4th with 9,653 due to their strong showing this season. Tennessee is 6th with 8,090

 

[visitingcock]

This is like saying Tennessee from the SEC has had really good attendance so SC will remain strong…

For your files, SC is #1 for the past 5 years of attendance and ISU is #2 at 9,809 with UConn #3 at 9,786 and Iowa now 4th with 9,653 due to their strong showing this season. Tennessee is 6th with 8,090

Poor analogy. A bit different in that Iowa is one state. Both major fanbases of that state have a passion for wbb that is rather unique. Tennessee and SC are different states with another another state in between them.

 

[DefenseBB]

Poor analogy. A bit different in that Iowa is one state. Both major fanbases of that state have a passion for wbb that is rather unique. Tennessee and SC are different states with another another state in between them.

The history is ISU has a great fan base over the past 20+ years but the Iowa fan base has only been great the last few years. Before these past 4 years, Iowa was good and roughly 50% of the ISU fan base as shown below. Iowa started getting much better with Megan Gustafson's POY in 2019.

	Iowa St.	Iowa
Year	Big 12	Big Ten
'23-24	9,891	14,998	CC Sr
'22-23	10,323	11,143	CC Jr
'21-22	9,567	8,224	CC So
'20-21			CCFR
'19-20	9,690	7,102
'18-19	9,573	6,797	MG Sr
'17-18	9,870	5,452	MG Jr
'16-17	9,106	4,395	MG So
'15-16	9,833	4,688	MG Fr
'14-15	9,289	5,301
'13-14	9,916	4,395
'12-13	9,970	4,567

 

[visitingcock]

The history is ISU has a great fan base over the past 20+ years but the Iowa fan base has only been great the last few years. Before these past 4 years, Iowa was good and roughly 50% of the ISU fan base as shown below. Iowa started getting much better with Megan Gustafson's POY in 2019.

	Iowa St.	Iowa
Year	Big 12	Big Ten
'23-24	9,891	14,998	CC Sr
'22-23	10,323	11,143	CC Jr
'21-22	9,567	8,224	CC So
'20-21			CCFR
'19-20	9,690	7,102
'18-19	9,573	6,797	MG Sr
'17-18	9,870	5,452	MG Jr
'16-17	9,106	4,395	MG So
'15-16	9,833	4,688	MG Fr
'14-15	9,289	5,301
'13-14	9,916	4,395
'12-13	9,970	4,567

True. But even back when Iowa was in the 4,000 range, that was Too 20 (ish) in the nation. So, both fanbases have always been pretty good. ( agree about Gustafson’s intermediate influence)

 

[BigTenGuy]

The history is ISU has a great fan base over the past 20+ years but the Iowa fan base has only been great the last few years. Before these past 4 years, Iowa was good and roughly 50% of the ISU fan base as shown below. Iowa started getting much better with Megan Gustafson's POY in 2019.

	Iowa St.	Iowa
Year	Big 12	Big Ten
'23-24	9,891	14,998	CC Sr
'22-23	10,323	11,143	CC Jr
'21-22	9,567	8,224	CC So
'20-21			CCFR
'19-20	9,690	7,102
'18-19	9,573	6,797	MG Sr
'17-18	9,870	5,452	MG Jr
'16-17	9,106	4,395	MG So
'15-16	9,833	4,688	MG Fr
'14-15	9,289	5,301
'13-14	9,916	4,395
'12-13	9,970	4,567

I'm a bit of a skeptic about the reported ISU WBB attendance figures, but would defer to the ISU fans on here who know more than I do. To an outsider, between various kids' days and other promotions, it seems like ISU gins up or inflates their numbers. But you can't do that in the NCAA Tourney, when the ISU numbers drop precipitously.

Two years ago when ISU hosted in the NCAA Tourney, their second round game against Georgia reported attendance of 6,283. Their first round game that year had 5,546. In 2019, when ISU lost at home in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tourney, the reported attendance was 5,809. Seems strange that their home fans disappear for the NCAA Tournament. I get why South Carolina fans might stay away from First and Second Round games, but don't think the same thinking applies to ISU.

In contrast, in 2019, when Iowa hosted, they had 12,376 for their second round game. When Iowa lost at home to Creighton in the 2nd round in 2022, they had 14,382 (the reduced Iowa capacity for an NCAA game). Last year, when Iowa beat Georgia in the 2nd Round, they had 14,382.

I also think that Iowa is guilty of inflating their home attendance numbers this season, in the sense that they are using the paid attendance figures (the season was a sell out), rather than actual butts in seats. Iowa had 2 December home games against lesser competition (Bowling Green and Loyola Chicago), with quite a few open seats.

 

[cockhrnleghrn]

I'm a bit of a skeptic about the reported ISU WBB attendance figures, but would defer to the ISU fans on here who know more than I do. To an outsider, between various kids' days and other promotions, it seems like ISU gins up or inflates their numbers. But you can't do that in the NCAA Tourney, when the ISU numbers drop precipitously.

Two years ago when ISU hosted in the NCAA Tourney, their second round game against Georgia reported attendance of 6,283. Their first round game that year had 5,546. In 2019, when ISU lost at home in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tourney, the reported attendance was 5,809. Seems strange that their home fans disappear for the NCAA Tournament. I get why South Carolina fans might stay away from First and Second Round games, but don't think the same thinking applies to ISU.

In contrast, in 2019, when Iowa hosted, they had 12,376 for their second round game. When Iowa lost at home to Creighton in the 2nd round in 2022, they had 14,382 (the reduced Iowa capacity for an NCAA game). Last year, when Iowa beat Georgia in the 2nd Round, they had 14,382.

I also think that Iowa is guilty of inflating their home attendance numbers this season, in the sense that they are using the paid attendance figures (the season was a sell out), rather than actual butts in seats. Iowa had 2 December home games against lesser competition (Bowling Green and Loyola Chicago), with quite a few open seats.

Every school uses paid attendance in their attendance figures; that isn't unique at all.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

I'm a bit of a skeptic about the reported ISU WBB attendance figures, but would defer to the ISU fans on here who know more than I do. To an outsider, between various kids' days and other promotions, it seems like ISU gins up or inflates their numbers. But you can't do that in the NCAA Tourney, when the ISU numbers drop precipitously.

Two years ago when ISU hosted in the NCAA Tourney, their second round game against Georgia reported attendance of 6,283. Their first round game that year had 5,546. In 2019, when ISU lost at home in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tourney, the reported attendance was 5,809. Seems strange that their home fans disappear for the NCAA Tournament. I get why South Carolina fans might stay away from First and Second Round games, but don't think the same thinking applies to ISU.

In contrast, in 2019, when Iowa hosted, they had 12,376 for their second round game. When Iowa lost at home to Creighton in the 2nd round in 2022, they had 14,382 (the reduced Iowa capacity for an NCAA game). Last year, when Iowa beat Georgia in the 2nd Round, they had 14,382.

I also think that Iowa is guilty of inflating their home attendance numbers this season, in the sense that they are using the paid attendance figures (the season was a sell out), rather than actual butts in seats. Iowa had 2 December home games against lesser competition (Bowling Green and Loyola Chicago), with quite a few open seats.

I suspect it is paid attendance at Iowa State. Lots of season tix. And not much else in Ames - I swear the one time we were there we were on the glass elevator in the hotel and looked out the window to the scenic "Bull Semen Institute".

We went to the NCAA's in Iowa State 25 years ago and it was a huge crowd, but I don't remember the numbers. I suspect you have 2 factors, reducing NCAA attendance somewhat - first, the tickets that are not available (reserved for visitors, for example). Also, sadly, there are "fans" that don't indulge in post-season, either because of the cost, or seat availability, or whatever, but they exist, we saw it at Rutgers during the years we were there and knew fans who just didn't buy postseason tix.

One factor I don't have any idea, which is how Iowa State ticket sales are tied to sales for other sports. Back years ago we went to a game at Wisconsin and WBB ticket holders tickets were tied to their men's basketball and ice hockey tickets in some fashion via a seat license.

 

[Matthew1589]

I do know there are a lot of companies in Central and North Central Iowa that purchase blocks of season tickets for many ISU events (including WBB) for their employees or customers to use. I used 5 such tickets to attend a game earlier this year. They were great seats but a lot of empty seats around us too. I'm guessing a lot of these tickets go unused and they don't purchase post season tickets.

 

[jumpstart]

Take a look at total attendance (home and away). I don't have the numbers at hand but Iowa leads SCar and has a shot at the all-time total attendance records. Big 10 fans are really turning out to see Clark. SEC fans are tired of seeing SCar come to town.

I have read attendance figures and records from the NCAA and other sites, but I have never seen stats for an overall attendance figure. Where did you find this information? I have always been a stats fan.

 

[visitingcock]

I have read attendance figures and records from the NCAA and other sites, but I have never seen stats for an overall attendance figure. Where did you find this information? I have always been a stats fan.

Go to ncaa attendance for 21-22. The second page has average “home attendance” in the left hand column. The right hand column is “All Games.” Gives number of games and attendance. You have to do your own division for average of all games.

Does anybody know why the NCAA hasn’t released the 2022-2023 attendance stats?

For this ongoing year the best way I have found for Iowa and SCar (as well as any others) is to look for their schedules on The Athletic. It gives attendance for each game. Gotta crunch your own numbers from there.

Others may know a good quick and easy search engine.

 

[BigTenGuy]

Go to ncaa attendance for 21-22. The second page has average “home attendance” in the left hand column. The right hand column is “All Games.” Gives number of games and attendance. You have to do your own division for average of all games.

Does anybody know why the NCAA hasn’t released the 2022-2023 attendance stats?

For this ongoing year the best way I have found for Iowa and SCar (as well as any others) is to look for their schedules on The Athletic. It gives attendance for each game. Gotta crunch your own numbers from there.

Others may know a good quick and easy search engine.

Try this

http://fs.ncaa.org.s3.amazonaws.com/Docs/stats/w_basketball_RB/Attend.pdf

 

[ISUnorth]

I'm a bit of a skeptic about the reported ISU WBB attendance figures, but would defer to the ISU fans on here who know more than I do. To an outsider, between various kids' days and other promotions, it seems like ISU gins up or inflates their numbers. But you can't do that in the NCAA Tourney, when the ISU numbers drop precipitously.

Two years ago when ISU hosted in the NCAA Tourney, their second round game against Georgia reported attendance of 6,283. Their first round game that year had 5,546. In 2019, when ISU lost at home in the 2nd round of the NCAA Tourney, the reported attendance was 5,809. Seems strange that their home fans disappear for the NCAA Tournament. I get why South Carolina fans might stay away from First and Second Round games, but don't think the same thinking applies to ISU.

In contrast, in 2019, when Iowa hosted, they had 12,376 for their second round game. When Iowa lost at home to Creighton in the 2nd round in 2022, they had 14,382 (the reduced Iowa capacity for an NCAA game). Last year, when Iowa beat Georgia in the 2nd Round, they had 14,382.

I also think that Iowa is guilty of inflating their home attendance numbers this season, in the sense that they are using the paid attendance figures (the season was a sell out), rather than actual butts in seats. Iowa had 2 December home games against lesser competition (Bowling Green and Loyola Chicago), with quite a few open seats.

ISU guy weighing in. You are spot on for the inflated attendance for ISU (and for most all schools). There are a lot of GA kids packages etc sold every year. I've used the same point using our last hosting for the NCAA as a good barometer. Gets me sideways with some of my own but I point out that our 5,000 - 6,000 actual "cheeks-in-the-seats" is still very good. Even if we only counted scanned tickets we would still be Top 10 which is pretty great for a currently unranked team. Startling difference when you watch game across the country in near empty arenas (like ISU at Houston last night).

Back 15-20 years ago our claimed 9,000 - 10,000 was closer to actual attendance for conference games. It's a very dedicated fan base and somewhat unique for a team with a ceiling of an Elite Eight every 15 years or so and a Sweet Sixteen every five years. A good solid program but far from one of the top programs, just has always had crazy fan support.

The "Clark effect" is, of course, real and makes Iowa's claimed attendance VERY close to the number of people at the actual game. Heck, you only need to look at the attendance for Iowa road games to see that. Or flip the TV on for a home game.

The attendance numbers are somewhat ginned up by all of the schools. I wish they would all report actual scanned tickets. It's not like they have to ask how many paper tickets each ticket minion tore off!

 

[ISUnorth]

I suspect it is paid attendance at Iowa State. Lots of season tix. And not much else in Ames - I swear the one time we were there we were on the glass elevator in the hotel and looked out the window to the scenic "Bull Semen Institute".

We went to the NCAA's in Iowa State 25 years ago and it was a huge crowd, but I don't remember the numbers. I suspect you have 2 factors, reducing NCAA attendance somewhat - first, the tickets that are not available (reserved for visitors, for example). Also, sadly, there are "fans" that don't indulge in post-season, either because of the cost, or seat availability, or whatever, but they exist, we saw it at Rutgers during the years we were there and knew fans who just didn't buy postseason tix.

One factor I don't have any idea, which is how Iowa State ticket sales are tied to sales for other sports. Back years ago we went to a game at Wisconsin and WBB ticket holders tickets were tied to their men's basketball and ice hockey tickets in some fashion via a seat license.

There are no ticket sales for ISU WBB tied to other sports. The only promotion "tie-in" I have seen for ISU sports is free admittance to ISU volleyball with a ticket for the football game on days where the football had an 11:00 kickoff and volleyball was at 3:00 or so. That got you GA seats in the corner or 2nd deck.

Tickets are cheap though. Season tickets reserved are $199 and season tickets GA are $119. Don't know the junior Cyclone promotion package costs.

 

[BigTenGuy]

I have read attendance figures and records from the NCAA and other sites, but I have never seen stats for an overall attendance figure. Where did you find this information? I have always been a stats fan.

For last year, the NCAA reported All Games attendance (p. 3) as follows (implicitly listing them in order of per game average):

ALL GAMES
School	Games	Att.
S. Carolina	37	376,395
Iowa	38	383,726
UConn	37	289,821
LSU	36	269,770
Iowa St.	32	233,081

http://fs.ncaa.org.s3.amazonaws.com/Docs/stats/w_basketball_RB/Attend.pdf

Using prior years information, the following is the top 6 for all time single season all games average attendance (only seasons over 11,000):

Year	Team	Games	Total	Avg.
1999	Tenn.	34	413,580	12,164	Tamika Catchings	Chamique Holdsclaw
2008	Tenn.	38	445,925	11,735	Candace
2007	Tenn.	37	426,191	11,519	Candace
2001	Tenn.	34	384,869	11,320	Tamika Catchings
2000	Tenn.	37	417,272	11,278	Tamika Catchings
2004	UConn	35	392,682	11,219	Diana Taurasi

 

[ISUnorth]

Poor analogy. A bit different in that Iowa is one state. Both major fanbases of that state have a passion for wbb that is rather unique. Tennessee and SC are different states with another another state in between them.

The state of Iowa has a long history and passion for WBB going back to the six-on-six days. Being an elder I remember a state tournament game featuring Denise Long that had everyone tuned in to the PBS telecast of it. For date and context, she got gimmick drafted in 13th round of the 1969 NBA draft. This was before the NCAA hoop days.

 

[KnightBridgeAZ]

There are no ticket sales for ISU WBB tied to other sports. The only promotion "tie-in" I have seen for ISU sports is free admittance to ISU volleyball with a ticket for the football game on days where the football had an 11:00 kickoff and volleyball was at 3:00 or so. That got you GA seats in the corner or 2nd deck.

Tickets are cheap though. Season tickets reserved are $199 and season tickets GA are $119. Don't know the junior Cyclone promotion package costs.

Yes, prices are cheaper away from the East Coast Cities. We were paying in the general area of $300 at Rutgers, and our last year there was 2010-2011. Next year's highest priced season ticket at Arizona is $225 (except Scholarship Row, where we sit, my tix are $1650, but its a long story).

As a comparison, men's tickets comparable to $225 women are $3050. I can't imagine Scholarship Row except to buy a seat there, if available, require a $25,000 one time donation for the men.

 

[WLT1717]

If/when Clark moves on to WNBA the figures will drop to traditional levels as between SEC and Big 10. She drives attendance at home and away. That will end.

 

[Rowdy831]

My point is that IF Iowa had a larger capacity, THIS year they definitely would have sold more tix. Perhaps would have led the nation in attendance. My qualifier...(Nice job Gamecocks) is that I realize they were the leaders...no question they are #1. Jeesh...

They aren't number 1, Caitlin Clark is number 1. You take her off that team and only the diehards would go watch them play.

 

[CamrnCrz1974]

When I was a Duke Law School student, tickets for all Duke sporting events (except men's basketball) were free for graduate / professional students (I believe all are free for undergraduates).

If this is true at other institutions, the "paid attendance" may not reveal much if the crowds have large student contingents.

Just some food for thought ...

 

[jumpstart]

You see this is the kind of stuff that happens when you eat mustard in your bbq

I actually only ate the mustard-based BBQ until I moved to North Carolina. I really enjoyed the vinegar-based-sauce here. That said..... my friends here tried the mustard based and all of them liked it better than the vinegar based they were used to. They switched to mustard based and I switched to vinegar based. Explain that....