Canadian Premier League - Page 16

ScreamingViking · #**301** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 4:08 AM**

Have to wonder if a CFL strike would be a real gift to this startup. Wondering that as a CFL fan and @Ticats season ticket holder.

I'll check out a couple of ForgeFC games but will I check out more if the Cats aren't playing into the summer? Maybe...

JHikka · #**302** Posted **Apr 24, 2019, 12:09 PM**

Not sure how much crossover there would be between CPL & CFL fanbases. It might free up some casual fans...

LakeLocker · #**303** Posted **Apr 25, 2019, 10:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

Not sure how much crossover there would be between CPL & CFL fanbases. It might free up some casual fans...

I disagree the big selling factor of the CFL is that its Canadian. I'd bet my life if it were called the Western Football League it'd have less than half of its audience.

Tribalism is part of sporting the human desire to be part of the winning in group is huge. People who try to intellectualize it to something more than that are missing the point. Being part of a winning group feels good and is healthy, provided it's a simulation of conflict and not the real thing.

svlt · #**304** Posted **Apr 26, 2019, 2:56 PM**

PFC was supposed to be the runt of the league with the worst numbers and the biggest question mark to its long term viability. Selling out its home opener is a fantastic start

esquire · #**305** Posted **Apr 26, 2019, 3:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by svlt

PFC was supposed to be the runt of the league with the worst numbers and the biggest question mark to its long term viability. Selling out its home opener is a fantastic start

Victoria has a metro pushing 400,000 people and no pro sports competition unless you're willing to incur the time and cost of going to Vancouver or Seattle... selling 6,000 seats does not strike me as that surprising a feat.

JHikka · #**306** Posted **Apr 26, 2019, 3:27 PM**

I think PFC might be under that 6K capacity depending on what parts of its stadium are ready to go for its home opener. I can't remember what the reduced capacity is and what the full capacity is after renovations.

craneSpotter · #**307** Posted **Apr 26, 2019, 3:43 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by JHikka

I think PFC might be under that 6K capacity depending on what parts of its stadium are ready to go for its home opener. I can't remember what the reduced capacity is and what the full capacity is after renovations.

It looks like they may be using temporary metal bleachers - they have lots stockpiled on the west end of stadium and have the east end up now as well as some on the west end - similar to the International Rugby tournaments.

Capacity for the phase 1 upgrade is 6,000. Capacity for the phase 2 upgrade (provided the team is successful) is 8,000. Phase two requires moving the Hydro tower within the stadium area near the Westshore Parkway.

It appears they have mucho workers on site today.

craneSpotter · #**308** Posted **Apr 28, 2019, 1:30 AM**

So they announced the crowd size (ticket sales) for Sunday's PFC vs HFX ... 5100.

Full capacity of 6,000 will be available in August.

mistercorporate · #**309** Posted **Apr 28, 2019, 1:44 AM**

Brief highlights from Forge FC's opener vs York 9:
https://youtu.be/jAzQnaBkEBk
Lots of stuff on YouTube, a great start for the Canadian Premier League!

JHikka · #**310** Posted **Apr 28, 2019, 11:54 AM**

Was a fun game with great atmosphere. Quality was lacking in the first ten minutes but things came around. The wind was insane at times.

q12 · #**311** Posted **Apr 28, 2019, 1:42 PM**

Happening today:

Pacific FC vs. HFX Wanderers FC
4:00 pm PDT Westhills Stadium, Victoria, BC

Forecast Sunny and 15 C @ matchtime.

craneSpotter · #**312** Posted **Apr 29, 2019, 3:11 AM**

So 1-0 PFC vs HFX. Watched some highlights - looked like a decent product.

Some pics from PFC Twitter account (I drove by taking kid to hockey - lots of noise and seemed like a great atmosphere).

mistercorporate · #**313** Posted **Apr 29, 2019, 10:24 AM**

Great vibe, from coast to coast, with great entertainment.
Lovely to see.

isaidso · #**314** Posted **Apr 29, 2019, 5:30 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by LakeLocker

I disagree the big selling factor of the CFL is that its Canadian.

It couldn't possibly be because people like football.

LakeLocker · #**315** Posted **Apr 30, 2019, 12:40 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by isaidso

It couldn't possibly be because people like football.

Why can't it be a bit of both? If they only cared about football they could just watch the NFL?

EpicPonyTime · #**316** Posted **May 1, 2019, 5:27 PM**

Took in the Pacific/Halifax game and was overall really impressed with the atmosphere in the stands. It's really cool to see how quickly these teams have amassed fanbases that are loud and excitable. I do hope that as time goes on they managed to create some new traditions for themselves.

One thing that's going to take some time to get over is the low camera angle at certain stadiums. It's a perspective I've rarely seen.

pegcityboy · #**317** Posted **May 2, 2019, 5:06 AM**

Valour FC has sold just about 9,000 for their opener Saturday at IGF , if the weather could cooperate and be sunny and normal high of 16c I bet 12,000-14,000 is attainable but right now it’s rain and 10 for Saturday . I can see with recent immigration ( last 10 years ) and competive Club , Valour FC could average 10,000 fans at IGF going forward, my only issue is I hope with curtains, etc they can make a 33,500 stadium somewhat of an intimate venue and not so cavernous

mistercorporate · #**318** Posted **May 2, 2019, 7:52 AM**

That would be incredible, great to hear! There truly were hidden pockets of support throughout the country waiting for franchises to latch onto and build upon.

king10 · #**319** Posted **May 2, 2019, 3:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by pegcityboy

Valour FC has sold just about 9,000 for their opener Saturday at IGF , if the weather could cooperate and be sunny and normal high of 16c I bet 12,000-14,000 is attainable but right now it’s rain and 10 for Saturday . I can see with recent immigration ( last 10 years ) and competive Club , Valour FC could average 10,000 fans at IGF going forward, my only issue is I hope with curtains, etc they can make a 33,500 stadium somewhat of an intimate venue and not so cavernous

They're using curtain at IGF? Never seen curtains used in an outdoor stadium before(BC Place doesn't count), only tarps over seats.

JHikka · #**320** Posted **May 2, 2019, 3:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by king10

They're using curtain at IGF? Never seen curtains used in an outdoor stadium before(BC Place doesn't count), only tarps over seats.

I doubt they're using curtain. It's likely just tarping over sections.

Anything over 8K would be a good crowd on the weekend, IMO. Winnipeg seems like such an underrated soccer market.

No matter what the crowd is it's always going to be difficult to make the big stadiums feel alive with crowds only filling 25% of the seats. At least IGF has some roofing that will reflect sound. TD Place is brutal when crowds are under 10K and IGF/THF will be no different.