"Florida Football: Is reducing capacity in The Swamp a good idea?"

Well they will definitely take up more room that we currently have but there are ways to achieve it. May involve having to create "mezzanines" that stack them in the concourses but that leads to accessibility issues for stairs and elevators/ramps.
The other alternative is to cantilever some additional space out the sides and fill that with other programs (like the Gator Shop) and fill in those vacated areas with restrooms.
Just some rough ideas.

 

The Swamp is in need of better seating and an overall more comfortable experience, which will necessitate a seat reduction. Put me down for a "yes," but w/in reason. It would be a shame if they went below 80k and it's not as if there is a magic number, but I wouldn't want a 65k NFL stadium (Ray Jay). Don't want NFL fans either, who are at the beer stand during the anthem & for the first 5min of the 3rdQ.
We barely fill the Swamp for big games and have had moments of bad attendance in the recent past. I don't see a problem with a moderate reduction.

 

I would be very surprised if the AHJ allows any shortcuts on bringing things up to code. 400 million isn't a new stadium but it is a significant investment.

 

This.
In years past, The Swamp was plenty loud with fewer seats. It is the configuration that makes it loud. It needs an update to compete with 70" TV's. Tailgates with TV's before and after have been my first choice.
No one wants to keep "ordinary" fans home and you cannot complain about prices if you think Capitalism is grand. The answer will never be "cheaper prices" to satisfy the needs of University costs.

 

The game you love is dead. This is a new game, or just the same old NFL game. Get used to it because it's just going to get worse and worse.

 

It's not just a "cheap fan" issue.

The younger generation of Gators are not as interested in going to games. My youngest son graduated UF in 2020, and he and his friends just aren't that interested in going to many games. They prefer posting up in a sports bar or at a home, and watching it on TV, even if they have money. This is not just a UF problem, it is a national trend. There are plenty of metrics out there, nationwide, to confirm it.

I attended UF in the '70's. Games were rarely on TV, and we saw games as the coolest event ever. The '80's were much the same. We wouldn't miss games for anything. It was a different world. The world has-unfortunately- changed, and I am sure the UAA has the stats to support that. When the old gators who grew up with games being the greatest thing ever croak, the UAA will have to live with a new breed of fans.

It is, of course, about money, but having stadiums with empty seats is not a good look either, particularly in an outdated stadium.

I say better to have 75k die hard fans. .

 

Our waitress at dinner last night is a sophomore who waited too long to get student season tickets last year. She had just secured her ticket for this year and was super excited. There’s still a few young folks with interest. Hopefully she’s contagious.

 

Sad but true

 

Hopefully if she’s contagious she’s also good looking

 

It was that way in the 90s and even early 2000s too. You don't miss the game and all focus at the game is on the game. I couldn't have given two s--ts about a jumbotron, nor did I need piped in music to clue me into the fact the team was about to take the field.

 

I dunno Skink. I've had a few issues over the course of my life with good looking women who were contagious.

 

Make no mistake the upcoming gentrification of the swamp will drain some of the magic. The reimagining will cater to those wanting to view the contest instead of participating in the spectacle.

one only needs to watch the terrace and champions levels. Tons of people/families attending that never leave the comfort of the lobbies.

i hope when the refinements are completed it is majestic, almost assuredly it wont be as intimidating.

 

Look around at the ages of the 90k fans, they aren’t youngsters. They are catering to an older crowd for sure. Comfort is an issue as we get older. I don’t need pampering but I’m in a bit of pain at all times. A real seat, an accessible toilet without a twenty minute wait, and some food that isn’t absolute trash isn’t too much to ask considering it cost me about 2k to attend a game for the weekend. Eating after a night game can be an issue. If I could get a decent $30 sandwich before leaving the stadium, that would be a plus.

 

None of my kids, nieces or nephews care about college sports at all and are more inclined to watch pro sports at parties (for what ever reason) with the family. They just don't care about it. And if my culture at school wasn't going to 5 or 6 games - just about the only way to see them - I'm not sure I would care much at all nowadays.

 

Very true … Fans really don’t get that geeked up anymore. I say reduce seats

 

The kids who grew up Gator kids” aren’t going to UF . They tailgated with parents and friends , threw the football in the parking lot and dreamed of going to school here . They were Florida kids !
Now they are going to UCF , USF , FAU , Bama , Auburn etc. They couldn’t get in at UF ! That’s why the students section just doesn’t have the magic anymore. Students now generally are out of state geeks or overseas dorks who have no interest in sports at UF . UF has changed… this to 5 academic bs is overrated. I could give a rats azz about the academic race to be number one ! I want our students at football and basketball games to be engaged!!! Right now they aren’t

 

I will forward this to him

 

Better bathrooms too