RealGM

The Raptors are currently averaging 18,604 fans in attendance per game (94% attendance), which is down from last season 18,745 (95%) and the year before 19,515 (99%).

Excluding COVID-impacted seasons, this is the lowest attendance since 2013-2014.

From the wiretap, the Leafs are also struggling:

The Toronto Maple Leafs have sold out only six of their first 20 home games this season, ending a decade-long streak of consistent sellouts at Scotiabank Arena. The team is averaging 18,607 fans per game, which would mark the lowest attendance in arena history outside of pandemic-affected seasons, according to The Athletic.

Tom McDonald, senior vice-president of ticket sales with Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment, attributed the decline to schedule saturation and market competition. The Leafs played 15 home games in October and November alone, more than a third of their home schedule in just two months.

Is that it? Only so many nights out for fans? Or is something else happening?

Prices keep going up while the Leafs and Raptors have both underachieved, what did MLSE expect?

Both teams are currently mediocre and the product isn't exactly exciting. Prices have increased dramatically in recent years for premium and regular tickets. However, external economic and subjective factors might be contributing to downward trend. Leafs fans are clamouring for a rebuild now also.

Literally mentioned this in another thread... apathy for the Leafs/Raptors is extremely high and people just dont have enough money to be splurging to watch very mid teams.

Seeing the Jays go on their run and then comparing to where the Leafs/Raptors are and where many think theyre going doesnt leave room for much optimism. Especially when you consider the cheap prices people were paying for the Jays (non reseller tix) and what MLSE is charging to watch 2 non contending teams.

The canadian economy in general is dog sh*t and youre seeing discretionary spending decline

Prices are going up, teams are mid, and its a tough economy for the average household now. People are focused on paying their rent and for groceries (which are also going way up) and the first thing to go when cutting back are expensive sports tickets. Especially for the trash product weve gotten from both teams so far.

Funny we have our worst attendance right after that clown Pelley said "we need to work on fan engagement" like the suits in MLSE will avoid the massive elephant in the room which is to get more people and more passionate fans in the building you need to make it affordable. But shareholders only care about the bottom line so good ****in luck with that.

I don't live in the market, but whenever I've checked prices out of curiosity, I've been shocked and offended. Don't blame anyone for not really wanting to pay.

I'm surprised to hear the Leafs are down by that much, as I thought Leafs games still had more of an "event" status. Maybe people have finally turned on them.

That said, I don't think either one going down by ~100 fans a game is indicative of much. I'm sure a lot of teams around the league would kill for 94% attendance.

sbsat wrote:The canadian economy in general is dog sh*t and youre seeing discretionary spending decline

This.

sbsat wrote:The canadian economy in general is dog sh*t and youre seeing discretionary spending decline

Except for the Jays I guess…

xAIRNESSx wrote:

sbsat wrote:The canadian economy in general is dog sh*t and youre seeing discretionary spending decline

Except for the Jays I guess…

What are ticket prices for baseball as compared with NBA OR LEAF TIXS?

xAIRNESSx wrote:

sbsat wrote:The canadian economy in general is dog sh*t and youre seeing discretionary spending decline

Except for the Jays I guess…

I went to the ALDS game against the Yankees for 56 dollars and the ALCS against Seattle for 120 bucks. I understand the World Series (mainly resellers) was a different story but that couldnt even me in the building for a pointless Raptor game in November on some nights lol.

Kingsway_fan wrote:

xAIRNESSx wrote:

sbsat wrote:The canadian economy in general is dog sh*t and youre seeing discretionary spending decline

Except for the Jays I guess…

What are ticket prices for baseball as compared with NBA OR LEAF TIXS?

I believe there is a huge difference in affordability here...

94% attendance is still pretty good.

xAIRNESSx wrote:

sbsat wrote:The canadian economy in general is dog sh*t and youre seeing discretionary spending decline

Except for the Jays I guess…

Way more affordable.

The fact that the leafs are hqving issues is proof positive. Just look at the data the Canadian economy has been stagnant for a while and recent developments has tipped things from bad to worse

sbsat wrote:The canadian economy in general is dog sh*t and youre seeing discretionary spending decline

It's not just the Canadian economy. Everything is expensive everywhere.

Billionaires are hoarding wealth as the middle class is destroyed.

Silent recession/rising costs/mid teams. Perhaps things pick up in the new year following Christmas spending but I think Jan/Feb is becoming a more popular time to vacation as well so people may spend money elsewhere still.

Duffman100 wrote:

sbsat wrote:The canadian economy in general is dog sh*t and youre seeing discretionary spending decline

It's not just the Canadian economy. Everything is expensive everywhere.

Billionaires are hoarding wealth as the middle class is destroyed.

Canada doesnt have many billionaires and canada already aggressively taxes the rich. Not sure what else we can do here about that divide.

In america the economy is bad but for whatever reason spending has been robust.

I think it has more to do with mediocre and uninspiring teams, than ticket prices. They Jays' playoff tickets were astronomical and they had no problem selling.

Duffman100 wrote:

sbsat wrote:The canadian economy in general is dog sh*t and youre seeing discretionary spending decline

It's not just the Canadian economy. Everything is expensive everywhere.

Billionaires are hoarding wealth as the middle class is destroyed.

Indeed . Not so much Canada as taxes already high there, but in USA... Was privy to an Antarctica 2028 full circumnavigation cruise, 2 months (I inquired) --lowest cost cabin was 230,000 euros [$370,000 cad] with 25 percent deposit now.... it pre sold most of the cabins on ship within a week [mostly Americans] ... before any public announcement yet to happen or be posted on its web site.

I mean nobody is trying to pay $150 for a decent seat to watch the Hornets.