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

However, I'm not sure we've seen any indication that there is an issue selling tickets. For the past 5 years we've averaged nearly 98% in paid capacity. Ticket sales actually improved over the last few years.

We'd be reducing seats to increase premium seating options. It more or less forces the average fan to stay at home because they're going to be priced out of attendance, if they haven't been already.

 

Absolute fact and all one has to do is look at the O'Connell Center experience as proof. The general response to what you say would be something like: Well the average fans aren't sitting in those seats now anyway...much to pricey. Although somewhat true, it doesn't account for the ripple down (or up as will happen) effect that reducing premium seating availability will have. Many current season ticket holders in those areas will be pushed upwards and outwards due to unwillingness to pay a(nother) premium to remain in those areas. Those fans will push other fans upwards and outwards and eventually the lowest denomination season ticket holders could be pushed completely out of the stadium (or will be unwilling to pay the same or more money for worse seating). UF is lucky that, with the possible exception of the NEZ Sunshine Seats, there is not a bad seat in the house. But there will undoubtedly be a ton of turnover in season ticket holders if 10,000 seats are removed.

Another concern that hasn't been expressed as much, but I believe we've seen in the O'Connell Center is the impact of well-heeled transient fan (or company). How many of the primo seats will go to individuals or companies that will use them occasionally, or to entertain clients who may or may not be Gator Fans. How many unused tickets will get sold to fans of the opponents in the best seats in the place. I can envision a drastic decrease in the gametime atmosphere in the stadium. I guess the only thing worse would be removing seats and opening a club that creates the effect of having 1000's of empty seats between the 40's because those transient fans can't be bothered to go down to their comfy seats .

If UF only cares about revenue and not gametime atmosphere (who am I kidding here!), then it will be an easy call for them to make.

 

And with all that extra eating and drinking, everybody's making more trips to the bathroom during the game, asphyxiating you against your seat as they squeeze by continuously in droves.

BTW, What's the crossover age where women start to outweigh men on average?

 

The vacant seats situation already exists. Just look at the T Terrace. It is vacant in the stadium seating but the inside lobby (not the boxes) looks like an airport concourse with people everywhere and all ages from little kids to senior citizens. They are soaking up the “luxury atmosphere” and freebies all the while the game isnt on their radar screen

They are contributing nothing to the game atmosphere/experience BUT their tix $ to the bottom line. Tough to win at home when the game day fan
momentum contribution is that of Tuesday practice session

 

You're not wrong....I just get the gut feeling that we are heading the way of what I hear is the sclerotic Nebraska type fandom where you get whined at if you dare stand up and cheer for the team. I just wonder when our populace got the need treat the actual football game as a social event? Used to be that you did your socializing before and after the game at the tailgate and yelled til you were hoarse (and rarely sat down) during the actual game. I understand that UF has to balance the rabid football fan against the monied see and be seen crowd...but jeez I'd hate it if it tipped to far toward the latter.

 

Take a poll of the thousands of adult fans and ask them what is the most needed change at BHG. I expect that the poll would break down around seating, ticket prices, bathrooms and concessions (I probably missed a few) with seating comfort being tops followed closely by ticket prices. That's my opinion. Like it or not the average fan is going to see ticket prices go up no matter what the administration does about capacity. Personally I would gladly pay more for a comfortable seat. I have been to quite a few pro games and the difference in the overall experience is huge. Theater seats, first class concessions, clean restrooms and yes, you pay for it. To me it makes the game worth attending. JMO

 

Can you give the source for the 98% figure? That would be helpful in the debate. Of the fans I talk to 98% want better seating and are considering staying home and watching the game on TV.

 

Where is your cut-off line for that comfort, though? Double? Triple? How many games do you skip if the prices for the comfy seats do triple from what they are now?

Also you recognize the dichotomy between complaints about seating and ticket prices. Those folks complaining about ticket prices will keel over when/if they see the price increases for those comfortable new seats.

I'm wondering if it might be a good business decision to get several blocks of these high-end seats and sell them on a game by game basis....lots of fans now won't be able to buy tickets for and attend every game.

 

He did say "paid capacity" though rather than attendance....definitely not the same measurement.

 

Upgraded physical seating is a specific issue. Better restrooms and concessions dont alter the interaction of fans during the games. These upgrades would be welcomed almost universally.

The reality is an upgraded fan viewing environment is going to drastically neuter the game atmosphere with a reduction of capacity and relocation of rabid fans to less desirable locations. This will be necessary accommodate luxury seating and the accompanying distractions competing with the game. Some of the relocated will drop their tix and others as stated wont be able to afford the increased cost, not to mentioned exiled students to upper SEZ. These changes in pursuit of potential increased $ needs to be weighed very carefully.

 

Actually the ticket is only one component of my total outlay to attend a game. Paying another $100/150 per ticket would not break the bank for me. I would gladly pay that in order to sit in a theater type seat. I would attend more games if I didn't have to put up with the ordeal of child sized bleacher benches and all the discomfort that comes with that. This assumes that we have a reasonably competitive team. Even the most diehard fans won't follow a loser for very long no matter the seating.

 

We poor guys don’t show up at the end of the year either sometimes when we have a losing record either and we pay the same ticket ticket prices as everyone else.

 

It's just the announced attendance. This source puts the 5 year average at 85350, which is 96.4% of the 88.5K capacity. Last year's average was 98.5%, if you remove the FCS game it is up to 101%.

2022 FBS Attendance Trends | College Athletics News | D1 ticker

 

Winning and scheduling great games is more important vmthan any other factor no doubt. My parents cannot give me three of the games this year. I will throw them in the trash.

 

I think they may say all those things as potential areas of improvement, but at what cost? That's ultimately the question a lot of people have. No one is arguing against bringing improvements to The Swamp. People are concerned that for the sake of improvement and increased revenue we kill the very gameday environment that makes The Swamp iconic and draws fans back year over year.

 

Fix the bathrooms
Add more bathrooms
Fix the concessions
Add more concessions
Upgrade the audio
Upgrade the video
Power wash and paint where needed
Leave the seating alone, except maybe in the south end zone

Play Ball

 

That may be exactly how it goes. I’d like a comfortable seat between the 30’s but that may not be feasible. I also wonder how much the can actually do about the bathrooms and concessions. Is just such a cramped space.

 

I think that $100-$150 per seat will only be the tip of the iceberg. Contribution fees will most likely triple or worse for those seats converted to seatbacks (if this happens). UF has to pay that $400M+ vig.

 

There are probably a significant amount of things that they can do if they get rid of a bunch of office and former Yon Hall dorm rooms.