WHL Attendance

[GBG BLEED BLUE]

This site: http://www.mib.org/~lennier/hockey/leagueatt.cgi keeps track of attendances for most of the hockey leagues across North America, I thought I would post this since someone might ask where to find WHL attendances so here it is and all you have to do is specify that you want to find WHL attendance and the year you are looking for and the info is all up to date. It is a very good way to compare team attendance and other stats too.

[HAF]

Awesome link!!! I'm gonna make it sticky so it stays on top.

[Hans]

Dude -- it's always a little weird to find a board for the first time... then find that your own reputation has already preceded you!

I do my best to keep the information there accurate and up-to-date. If anyone finds any information that's in error, give me a holler, and I'll get it fixed as soon as I can. Glad to see people enjoy the information!

Hans

[Tinner]

great info, but 1 thing that would be nice and i didnt see it, is everyone's full seating capacity.

In Red Deer (WHL) we are sold out every game, so when you show + - does it reflect rink capacities?

[Hans]

No, I don't list capacity. The +/- is the comparison of the current average to the team's average this time last season.

[Tidball]

This site: http://www.mib.org/~lennier/hockey/leagueatt.cgi keeps track of attendances for most of the hockey leagues across North America, I thought I would post this since someone might ask where to find WHL attendances so here it is and all you have to do is specify that you want to find WHL attendance and the year you are looking for and the info is all up to date. It is a very good way to compare team attendance and other stats too.

Lol Saskatoons attendance has dropped over 25%!!

[Hans]

Lol Saskatoons attendance has dropped over 25%!!
True, but it's still significantly ahead of two years ago's numbers.

[Beaner]

Disappointing to see Vancouver's numbers down, but not surprising since the NHL is back.

Nice to see we are up over 2 years ago, but I really wonder how much of that has to do with the WJC packages that were sold?

[prospera]

This site: http://www.mib.org/~lennier/hockey/leagueatt.cgi keeps track of attendances for most of the hockey leagues across North America, I thought I would post this since someone might ask where to find WHL attendances so here it is and all you have to do is specify that you want to find WHL attendance and the year you are looking for and the info is all up to date. It is a very good way to compare team attendance and other stats too.
rockets arena holds 6007 . standing room after that.

[The_Vulk]

Disappointing to see Vancouver's numbers down, but not surprising since the NHL is back...
And Calgary did slightly better, lossing just under 13% (approx.1000 fans per game)

Of course, for the Hitmen, it was their 10th Anniversary season last year and no Flames.

This year, the advertising/marketing was almost strickly NHL/Flames.

[RunTheGoalie]

great info, but 1 thing that would be nice and i didnt see it, is everyone's full seating capacity.

In Red Deer (WHL) we are sold out every game, so when you show + - does it reflect rink capacities?

Capacity can be subjective too. On various websites, programs, or depending which team is using the Saddledome, it's capacity can be any of:

~16,100 (Hitmen capacity, third level completely closed), 17,139 or 17,439 (Flames "official" capacity, depending on who you ask), 19,289 (maximum seating capacity), 20,000 (for those that havent updated since 1994), and anything in between.

The two most interesting aspects of the WHL's attendance figures, for me:

1. Calgary and Vancouver are both averaging well over what they did in 2003-04. 04-05 is statistically worthless given they were the only two teams directly affected by the lockout. However, both franchises made significant, lasting gains as a result of their brief time in the sun.

For the Flames ownership, they must be doing a dance of joy, as the Flames are up nearly 3500 fans per game over this time in 03-04, while the Hitmen are up over 900 from this time in 03-04. That's a lot of extra pesos.

2. Despite the fact that the Hitmen and Giants are down 2500 fans per game combined, and the Blades have dropped another 1250 per themselves, the league itself is still virtually even with last season's attendance. Huge gains in Portland, Lethbridge, Moose Jaw and Tri-City are helping the league maintian it's average.

[RunTheGoalie]

I guess for anyone who wants to know what the arena capacities are, this is what the Kootenay Ice's program lists everyone at:

Brandon: 5008
Calgary: 17,139 (excludes 300 level after row 3)
Everett: 8250
Kamloops: 5158
Kelowna: 6007
Kootenay: 4264
Lethbridge: 4784
Medicine Hat: 4006
Moose Jaw: 2705
Portland 17,544 (Rose Garden)
Prince Albert: 2580
Prince George: 5582
Red Deer: 5735
Regina: 5750
Saskatoon: 11,310
Seattle: 6324
Spokane: 10,571
Swift Current: 2256
Tri-City: 5780
Vancouver: 7500 (presuming lower bowl only)

[C.F]

The Giants real capacity is just over 16,000. If lots of tickets are being sold, they just bring the curtains up.

[Triton]

What are the capacity requirements for hosting events such as allstar games,Canada/Russian challange,Prospects game,Memorial Cup?

[RunTheGoalie]

The Canada/Russia Challenge doesnt seem to have any minimum. It's been held in Lethbridge and Red Deer, all the way up to Saskatoon and Calgary.

Lately they have put the Memorial Cup and Prospects game in larger arenas.

In the case of the Canada/Russia Challenge and Prospects game, they are as much TV events as anything else, so basically, any arena that cannot accomodate a decent TV feed is likely out.

[dondo]

The Giants real capacity is just over 16,000. If lots of tickets are being sold, they just bring the curtains up.

it should be but they aren't raising the curtains at one end, I guess the advertising there pays more.

The last two games at the Coliseum were both looking packed and they maxed out at 13,800... I think with those seats draped off the capacity is around 14K. During the reguar season the lower bowl (with about eight of second level rows) seemed to max out at around 8 or 9 K.

[Swando]

Very interesting site that I just added to my Hockey Favorites. Surprised me to see how many Spokane's arena can hold. Congrats to MJ for their ownership etc - making it to the Western Final with such a small ticket base. As I said in another post I vote for 1 cent less on our gas tax to pay for an 8000 seat arena for you guys in MJ ----so at least you can see what your wife's boyfriend looks like being that you have seats on the opposite side. lol

[SeventhHeaven4U]

Very interesting site that I just added to my Hockey Favorites. Surprised me to see how many Spokane's arena can hold. Congrats to MJ for their ownership etc - making it to the Western Final with such a small ticket base. As I said in another post I vote for 1 cent less on our gas tax to pay for an 8000 seat arena for you guys in MJ ----so at least you can see what your wife's boyfriend looks like being that you have seats on the opposite side. lol

LOL You heard that too, I thought it was kinda funny despite who it was coming from hehehe. I really hope MJ gets the Multiplex going soon.... Can't wait to see the banners up!! Where the heck are the gonna put them in the CC????

[Triton]

LOL You heard that too, I thought it was kinda funny despite who it was coming from hehehe. I really hope MJ gets the Multiplex going soon.... Can't wait to see the banners up!! Where the heck are the gonna put them in the CC????

Against the wall maybe?Thats where Brandon has all theirs put up.

[WHEATMAN]

Against the wall maybe?Thats where Brandon has all theirs put up.

Brandons banners have been moved and for quite some time now, they all hang below the catwalk to the press box.

btw the wheats have 16 banners :thumb:

[RunTheGoalie]

it should be but they aren't raising the curtains at one end, I guess the advertising there pays more.

The last two games at the Coliseum were both looking packed and they maxed out at 13,800... I think with those seats draped off the capacity is around 14K. During the reguar season the lower bowl (with about eight of second level rows) seemed to max out at around 8 or 9 K.

I was wondering about that. I found it strange that the Giants were only managing 13,000 for the finals. Kind of odd that they would do that. Course, the Flames didn't open the 300s for the Hitmen in 99 either, so while they could have easily put 19,000 per game for the entire finals that year, they ended up with only 16,839

[dondo]

well every seat wasn't filled so they usually gauge how much to open by their pre-sells and then add a bit for walk ups, but yeah RTG, that's why. I don't know if we would have sold those extra seats. Last year yeah (due to the lockout), but this year not so much I think 14K was about our max.

[neutral]

1 - Vancouver 11,102
2 - Calgary 8,398
3 - Red Deer 6,706
4 - Kelowna 6,277
5 - Regina 5,910
6 - Lethbridge 5,439
7 - Brandon 5,126
8 - Chilliwack 5,115 (5,004 game 2)
9 - Saskatoon 5,099
10 - Kamloops 4,610 (4,181 game 2)
11 - Medicine Hat 4,006
12 - Prince George 3,946 (3,072 game 2)
13 - Kootenay 2,892 (2,968 game 2)
14 - Prince Albert 2,841
15 - Moose Jaw 2,761
16 - Swift Current 2,264
No games in the 5 US cities yet.

How can a team survive on less than 3,000 fans and what can a team spend their profits on with more than 6,000 fans?

[Rebels30]

YAY! :D red deer is 3rd !

[SeventhHeaven4U]

1 - Vancouver 11,102
2 - Calgary 8,398
3 - Red Deer 6,706
4 - Kelowna 6,277
5 - Regina 5,910
6 - Lethbridge 5,439
7 - Brandon 5,126
8 - Chilliwack 5,115 (5,004 game 2)
9 - Saskatoon 5,099
10 - Kamloops 4,610 (4,181 game 2)
11 - Medicine Hat 4,006
12 - Prince George 3,946 (3,072 game 2)
13 - Kootenay 2,892 (2,968 game 2)
14 - Prince Albert 2,841
15 - Moose Jaw 2,761
16 - Swift Current 2,264
No games in the 5 US cities yet.

How can a team survive on less than 3,000 fans and what can a team spend their profits on with more than 6,000 fans?

It's not really fair to compare just the attendance numbers. It would be more accurate to compare occupancy percentage due to the fact that such centers as MJ are at full capacity at approximately 2700. You also have to remember that smaller arenas like MJ, SC, etc have lower operating costs as well, so the average occupancy needed to cover these is lower than a larger center like that in Vancouver or a new rink like in Chilliwack.

[C.F]

It's not really fair to compare just the attendance numbers. It would be more accurate to compare occupancy percentage due to the fact that such centers as MJ are at full capacity at approximately 2700. You also have to remember that smaller arenas like MJ, SC, etc have lower operating costs as well, so the average occupancy needed to cover these is lower than a larger center like that in Vancouver or a new rink like in Chilliwack.
That would just as unaccurate. The Giants can draw 8000 fans and only sell out half of the building. Same with Calgary, Seattle, etc.

Although I see your point.

[neutral]

It's not really fair to compare just the attendance numbers. It would be more accurate to compare occupancy percentage due to the fact that such centers as MJ are at full capacity at approximately 2700. You also have to remember that smaller arenas like MJ, SC, etc have lower operating costs as well, so the average occupancy needed to cover these is lower than a larger center like that in Vancouver or a new rink like in Chilliwack.

I do not disagree with you at all. I just had not taken the time to look up capacity numbers and do the math. There are 3 or 4 ways to look at this other than attendance, but total attendance puts money in the bank which is what I was questioning (how can some teams survive and where do others spend their profits). 11,102 vs 2,264 potentially generates an extra 7,838 fans at $10 per game.

Occupancy would measure fan support relative to the arena size. 48% vs 100%, but 48% still means 8,398 fans at $10 per game.

As for operating expenses, you are correct, they would vary by city. A lot of the costs are just number games. How would you compare the cost of the Saddledome with Swift Current? Not to mention community owned teams versus a team like the Hitmen owned by the Flames.

Then there is another measure of fans per game versus the population of the drawing area. Vancouver and Calgary are under 1% where as a team like Kootenay with less than 3,000 fans and 68% capacity is drawing over 10% of the town population. Swift Current has even fewer fans but fills their tiny arena with well over 10% of the town population.

There was an earlier posting with capacities, although some appear to be inaccurate. 10 teams at or over 100% capacity, 5 below capacity, and 1 unknown.

1 - Vancouver 11,102 (over 100%)
2 - Calgary 8,398 (49%)
3 - Red Deer 6,706 (over 100%)
4 - Kelowna 6,277 (over 100%)
5 - Regina 5,910 (over 100%)
6 - Lethbridge 5,439 (over 100%)
7 - Brandon 5,126 (over 100%)
8 - Chilliwack 5,115 (unknown)
9 - Saskatoon 5,099 (under 50%)
10 - Kamloops 4,610 (90%)
11 - Medicine Hat 4,006 (100%)
12 - Prince George 3,946 (70%)
13 - Kootenay 2,892 (68%)
14 - Prince Albert 2,841 (over 100%)
15 - Moose Jaw 2,761 (over 100%)
16 - Swift Current 2,264 (100%)

[GOBLADESGO#3 (among other aliases)]

wow i didnt expect most of the American teams to have such good attendences, and im really dissapointed in Saskatoon, i always thought we were one of the more popular temas and we only average 4 thousand? booooo, i need a new favorite team haha

[Bran]

There was an earlier posting with capacities, although some appear to be inaccurate. 10 teams at or over 100% capacity, 5 below capacity, and 1 unknown.
In Regina the actual capacity is about 6,200. I think the number in that list is the actual seating capacity, plus standing room, press boxes probably aren't included in that either. I would guess it's the same for the others listed at over 100%.

[RunTheGoalie]

Final attendance, mostly from the site listed in the original post. They are missing three games - one each in Calgary, Lethbrdige and Kelowna. I have the missing Calgary game (second largest crowd of the year, no less), but the other two are still listed as "0" at whl.ca.

The Hitmen led the league, for the fourth or fifth straight year, behind only Quebec City in the CHL, who broke Calgary's CHL record by averaging 10,443.



Team GP Tot Avg
1 Calgary 36 326218 9062
2 Vancouver 36 315328 8759
3 Everett 36 232562 6460
4 Red Deer 36 220659 6129
5 Kelowna 35 213578 6102
6 Spokane 36 217001 6028
7 Portland 36 186801 5189
8 Kamloops 36 172348 4787
9 Regina 36 168330 4676
10 Chilliwack 36 160817 4467
11 Saskatoon 36 153981 4277
12 Brandon 36 148701 4131
13 Seattle 36 144695 4019
14 Medicine Hat 36 144216 4006
15 Tri-City 36 141942 3943
16 Lethbridge 35 136147 3890
17 Kootenay 36 109435 3040
18 Prince George 36 106830 2968
19 Moose Jaw 36 88437 2457
20 Prince Albert 36 79133 2198
21 Swift Current 36 68228 1895

[Bran]

The last couple of years, the Pats overall attendance has been hurt by low numbers in the first half. I believe every game this year was up over last year With next years team (and hopefully the addition of seats in the west end) I think the first half will do better.

Are they ever going to build a new rink in Medicine Hat??? I don't know what the current one is like, but surely they could use a few thousand additional seats!

[BruinsFan19]

Wow Chilliwack. We finished 10th and have a smaller rink than all the teams ahead of us.

Awesome!

[Rockets1231]

I'm surprised the Rockets attendence dropped less then 1% only, I thought it would have been a 5-10% drop with the season they had.

[Flathead]

Are they ever going to build a new rink in Medicine Hat??? I don't know what the current one is like, but surely they could use a few thousand additional seats!
I don't know if or when they're building a new rink in the Hat, but if you've never been to a game in the one that they're in now, you have to go. It's a great atmosphere!

[Rebel Tiger]

They discussed a new rink for 4 years or so and the city decided it wasn't their problem told the team to raise the money.
As such a new rink is on hold indefinately, thought with a huge increase on season ticket prices again I would hazzard a guess they are making moves towards building a new rink anyways.
That said its still several years away, and for the record the almost 40 year old Medicine Hat Arena is in considerably decent shape.
Should be able to get another 10 - 20 years use from it if they need.

[iceman778]

ok............. i agree with u

[ELL]

I admit I enjoy WHL news and often Gregg Drinnans blog is the only place that has current information. The fact that Tom Gaglardi is trying to sensor him is a sad state of affairs.

[CdnSailor]

Is there an actual site that has the teams attendance up to date?
I am amazed that the WHL does not have a link for this. Most other leagues do with game dates/attendance/average/+- etc