Welcome home, fellow Gator.

The Gator Nation's oldest and most active insider community
Join today!

Who's Renewing their Football Season Tix?

Discussion in 'RayGator's Swamp Gas' started by Crusher, Feb 2, 2024.

  1. Crusher

    Crusher GC Hall of Fame

    5,865
    1,351
    2,143
    Apr 19, 2007
    I have been going back and forth on this and haven't come to a solution. In my mind it is mostly about the general direction and professionalization of College Football as a whole that is motivating this self-examination: can I really enjoy it enough in its current state to consider dropping the thousands of $$ that tickets require?

    I fully admit that the UAA's seeming absence at the tiller of the football program for more than a decade doesn't help. However, as a season ticket holder of 35 years, I'm not treating this decision lightly. I'm pretty sure that I'll also let go of my SEC Championship tickets I've had for 31 years since its no longer a real championship game.

    Is anyone else here struggling with this decision like I am?
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Like Like x 1
  2. Gatorfred

    Gatorfred GC Hall of Fame

    1,909
    8,059
    330
    Oct 15, 2012
    Is the game day experience still enjoyable?
    Maybe keep the tickets and resale or have family use them until the reasons listed above change. If they don’t change then give them up.

    I was a season ticket holder from 1990 until 2011. Game day became a chore for me…
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Winner Winner x 2
  3. Crusher

    Crusher GC Hall of Fame

    5,865
    1,351
    2,143
    Apr 19, 2007
    That is kind of the way I talked myself into keeping them last year. I didn't attend a single game for probably the first season since 1984. My family members used my tickets a couple times (UT and FSU) but weren't interested in any of the other games. Additionally re-seller sites want my SSN so they can report my transactions to the Fed Govt (fat chance of that happening), so its made it more difficult to unload tickets nobody in my family wants.
     
  4. 62gator

    62gator GC Hall of Fame

    11,072
    4,093
    3,303
    Dec 4, 2007
    Tampa, FL
    I got Muschamp’ed out of mine after the 2013 season, just couldn’t do it anymore, 26yrs. Feel bad for the folks who’ve done it since then, the last 3 years in particular.
     
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
  5. CHFG8R

    CHFG8R GC Hall of Fame

    5,512
    480
    363
    Apr 24, 2007
    St. Augustine, FL
    I wouldn't waste my money now. I've just accepted that the sport I loved is dead and this is a new sport. It's not all bad. The Playoff looks interesting, but the appeal now is almost identical to the NFL and I watch it the way I watch the NFL (i.e. dispassionately). Hell, we could win 10 straight NCs under the current format and it wouldn't be as special to me as our 3 current NCs.
     
    • Agree Agree x 6
    • Winner Winner x 6
    • Like Like x 1
  6. jmhawk88

    jmhawk88 Junior

    126
    39
    1,698
    Oct 19, 2018
    No doubt it’s been tough. The irony is with all the “game day experience” improvements, the atmosphere and experience just isn’t what it used to be. Ya, I know we’ve sucked the last few years, but even the good years don’t hold up to what it used to be. Auburn in 2019 was an exception, but game atmospheres like that were once the norm.

    Personally I blame the changing of the end zone font and the removal of the Block F at the 50. Criminal offenses.
     
    • Like Like x 1
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
  7. 2oldgator

    2oldgator GC Hall of Fame

    1,069
    760
    1,833
    Jul 14, 2021
    Dunnellon fl
    I’ve been attending Gator football games since 1958 and game day experience for me is nowhere near what is was in the past: distant and recent.
    I had to downsize from 4 to 2 tickets in 2017 when I retired, then reduced my booster contribution in 2020. I still enjoy going to the games, but less each year it seems.
    I contemplated giving them up this year but, this year’s home schedule is pretty darn good and I am optimistic about CBN and this year’s team so I’m in for at least one more season.
    I should add two things:
    I am disgusted, hurt and frustrated with what is happening to college football today.
    My love for UF and the Gators is not contingent on wins and losses.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2024
    • Like Like x 4
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
  8. revgator

    revgator All American

    453
    138
    338
    Apr 3, 2007
    I’ve had my season tickets since Spurrier’s first year. This year was the first time I’ve hesitated, and considered not renewing…mainly because of the general state of college football (NIL, transfer portal). Both my sons have been coming to games with me since they were 4 years old. They’re now grown, of course; but they still enjoy the games; and I still enjoy the extended time with them (we drive down from Atlanta). That, plus this year’s schedule…and my optimism that Coach Napier and team really are building something special… I did renew for 2024. But again: it wasn’t without some hesitation.
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
  9. Matherly87

    Matherly87 GC Hall of Fame

    9,149
    17,604
    2,808
    Oct 3, 2016
    Ocala, FL
    Cut the cord. Walk away. Put your money into something you can enjoy. Maybe dress up the man cave like you always wanted. Or find some Gator fans that gather at a local sports bar to enjoy the game together. I turned my attention to other Gator sports. I began following the baseball team in 2016 and became a season ticket holder in 2018 after the NC. The new stadium is very enjoyable except for the loud music. It helps to think baseball players don't make near the money a football or men's basketball player is expected to be offered. That said, I probably don't want to know how much Cags is making.
     
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
  10. MCB51

    MCB51 Moderator

    16,228
    10,788
    3,148
    Nov 23, 2015
    FL
    I am and will continue regardless of everything mentioned by others..have been a season ticket holder and booster since 1985...was born a Gator, educated a Gator and will die a Gator
    I go to every home game and love being there...just being up there is wonderful for me..it's my home away from home..
    Been through rough years and great years..but I am passionate about my Gators in every sport...proud of our academic achievements too
    Been through Ray Graves ( was a youngster then :)) through current coach
    Like I said..I will continue to support the team and school both emotionally, physically and financially...
     
    • Like x 9
    • Winner x 2
    • Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
    • Friendly x 1
    • Best Post Ever x 1
  11. SilverG

    SilverG Freshman

    20
    16
    1,753
    Apr 8, 2007
    Freshman with Steve in 63; season tickets since 83, and it still was a diff decision to renew this year, the loud noise crap is as much a neg experience as the recent team product. I drive from Va.
     
    • Agree Agree x 2
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
    • Optimistic Optimistic x 1
  12. Crusher

    Crusher GC Hall of Fame

    5,865
    1,351
    2,143
    Apr 19, 2007
    The piped in racket is maddeningly annoying for the most part, isn't it.
     
    Last edited: Feb 2, 2024
    • Agree Agree x 4
  13. jeffbrig

    jeffbrig GC Hall of Fame

    1,489
    554
    2,003
    Aug 7, 2007
    Booster since the tebow era. We'll be renewing. Sure, we haven't been able to make it to as many games the last few years. Andd the product has been less than compelling. But, we have great seats (35 yd line, 20 rows off the field) and still enjoy the live experience. So we'll continue to renew, and sell for the games we can't attend.
     
    • Like Like x 2
  14. MCB51

    MCB51 Moderator

    16,228
    10,788
    3,148
    Nov 23, 2015
    FL
    I don't care for that piped in loud music..would like more Pride of the Sunshine
     
    • Agree Agree x 5
    • Like Like x 2
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
    • Winner Winner x 1
  15. reptilicus

    reptilicus Freshman

    10
    10
    153
    Sep 22, 2023
    We will renew. But at some point, with the way college football and this team are going, it won’t be worth it. And if we get ousted from our good seats due to stadium renovation, that might be the last nail.
     
  16. GatorTheo

    GatorTheo Senior

    202
    51
    1,833
    Jun 22, 2007
    We're renewing. Next year's schedule is great. Hopefully, we're ready for it.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
  17. apkgator

    apkgator GC Hall of Fame

    10,309
    2,002
    3,218
    Apr 3, 2007
    For the most part the atmosphere last season was outstanding....and I have an extensive historic perspective
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
  18. Rkb75

    Rkb75 Senior

    267
    114
    1,838
    Sep 19, 2015
    Renewed. Season tickets since 1990. Still a fun time on game day. Tailgates with family and friends at great spot.

    Decided to give it one more year. Pushback is that NIL/pay for play/portal etc truly degrades the sport for me. Truly sickening what has happened to the sport.

    Imagine a D1 coach leaving his job for a coordinator position in NFL. Just happened with the BC head coach. Tired of the NIL-portal crap. Of course, Saban seemingly retired for the same reasons.
     
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 1
  19. gatornee

    gatornee Sophomore

    86
    30
    1,783
    Apr 9, 2007
    We are renewing and we usually go to at least one away game. Still feel it’s worth the money and time.
     
    • Friendly Friendly x 1
  20. og8trz

    og8trz VIP Member

    2,787
    420
    253
    Apr 3, 2007
    I have had tix since 1974 & considered quitting this year. My grandson wanted me to renew so between him & seeing my fraternity brothers & old friends I am going one more year.

    With that said, they are rapidly turning me off
     
    • Fistbump/Thanks! Fistbump/Thanks! x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1