[washingtonismoney]

https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status...1837558785

2013: 31k (80% of stadium accounted for, apparently, once you count visitors + students)
2012: 25k
2011: 23k

That's a pretty big discontinuity between 2012 and 13. Anyone has a thought as to why? Has fan enthusiasm for the program reached a tipping point? Enthusiastic opposing fans -- (possible explanations: N.D. fans energized by 2012; Arizona State substituting for Colorado as a Pac-12 home opponent vis-a-vis 2011?) Something else?

[washingtonismoney]

https://twitter.com/StanfordFball/status...1837558785

2013: 31k (80% of stadium accounted for, apparently, once you count visitors + students)
2012: 25k
2011: 23k

That's a pretty big discontinuity between 2012 and 13. Anyone has a thought as to why? Has fan enthusiasm for the program reached a tipping point? Enthusiastic opposing fans -- (possible explanations: N.D. fans energized by 2012; Arizona State substituting for Colorado as a Pac-12 home opponent vis-a-vis 2011?) Something else?

[stupac2]

Maybe winning the Rose Bowl is what it takes to get butts in the seats. I doubt that many opposing fans are buying tickets, but who knows?

[stupac2]

Maybe winning the Rose Bowl is what it takes to get butts in the seats. I doubt that many opposing fans are buying tickets, but who knows?

[washingtonismoney]

Maybe winning the Rose Bowl is what it takes to get butts in the seats. I doubt that many opposing fans are buying tickets, but who knows?

Could be. But then again, you'd think crrrushhhing in the Orange Bowl plus getting Andrew Luck back would goose the numbers?

Maybe it's tipping point? It's the Orange Bowl plus the solid 2011 season plus the Rose Bowl win for the 2012 season that's beginning to move the boulder over the ledge.

[washingtonismoney]

Maybe winning the Rose Bowl is what it takes to get butts in the seats. I doubt that many opposing fans are buying tickets, but who knows?

Could be. But then again, you'd think crrrushhhing in the Orange Bowl plus getting Andrew Luck back would goose the numbers?

Maybe it's tipping point? It's the Orange Bowl plus the solid 2011 season plus the Rose Bowl win for the 2012 season that's beginning to move the boulder over the ledge.

[terry]

There's a time-honored formula for good attendance in college football: a consistent track record of success, plus an expectation of continued success in the future. Stanford has that now.

We didn't have that after the 2009 season, with just one winning season after 7 straight losing seasons. We didn't have that after the 2010 season, with just 2 winning seasons and brobdingnagian question marks for the future after losing Harbaugh. The 2011 season gave us 3 straight winning seasons, but everyone expected a drop-off after losing Luck. This year, we finally have a solid track record of consistent success with 4 straight winning seasons, and we have high expectations for the coming year.

With the limit on stadium capacity, people may figure they're better off getting a season ticket instead of waiting to get single-game tickets. The idea that scarcity will spur season ticket sales was part of the rationale in designing the new stadium. It may be working.

[terry]

There's a time-honored formula for good attendance in college football: a consistent track record of success, plus an expectation of continued success in the future. Stanford has that now.

We didn't have that after the 2009 season, with just one winning season after 7 straight losing seasons. We didn't have that after the 2010 season, with just 2 winning seasons and brobdingnagian question marks for the future after losing Harbaugh. The 2011 season gave us 3 straight winning seasons, but everyone expected a drop-off after losing Luck. This year, we finally have a solid track record of consistent success with 4 straight winning seasons, and we have high expectations for the coming year.

With the limit on stadium capacity, people may figure they're better off getting a season ticket instead of waiting to get single-game tickets. The idea that scarcity will spur season ticket sales was part of the rationale in designing the new stadium. It may be working.

[Spiny_Norman]

That's a pretty big discontinuity between 2012 and 13.

In addition to the formula that Terry cites, another factor is a strong schedule of home games.

2012 opponents - USC, Oregon State, Washington State, Arizona, SJS, Duke
2013 opponents - Notre Dame, Oregon, Cal, UCLA, Washington, SJS, Arizona State

Expectation of future success + games that fans (even casual fans) really want to see = ticket sales success

[Spiny_Norman]

That's a pretty big discontinuity between 2012 and 13.

In addition to the formula that Terry cites, another factor is a strong schedule of home games.

2012 opponents - USC, Oregon State, Washington State, Arizona, SJS, Duke
2013 opponents - Notre Dame, Oregon, Cal, UCLA, Washington, SJS, Arizona State

Expectation of future success + games that fans (even casual fans) really want to see = ticket sales success

[terry]

Great point, Spiny. The home schedule really does look good this year.

[terry]

Great point, Spiny. The home schedule really does look good this year.