Quote:
Originally Posted by mistercorporate
Actually it was a largely 50-ish age crowd, they papered the hell out of it (10 free tickets to season seat holders and other groups), this was one of a few TDSB school groups that came down for free. Regardless, still looks better here than at the skydome even if it is a similar turnout. June 23 should be better with thousands of Hamilton fans filling out most of the rest of the seats.
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I can confirm this.
Our group worked the game yesterday so I was there behind the scenes.
Argos only sold 8,000 tickets for the game, gave away 8,000 tickets. Attendance was ballpark'd at 12,000.
That picture is misleading as that is the family section. The large majority of the crowd was older people, or families with kids, typical CFL demographic.
The "Tailgating" I heard had some people there. But due to the police state mentality with liquor laws in this province I don't know how well it will do long term over the whole summer. Apparently only 30 cars showed up (Max is 60 I believe), and it was half full. The set up is like a holding pen all caged in and I was told there was more cops there than people. They loaded up with police, because well... its Toronto... of course, and the Police love getting that on-duty money.
I actually noticed a uptick in promotion for the game. You could see that improvement from the Braley dark ages. You heard about the Argos and saw Ads everywhere. But this didn't translate into many new fans checking the place out.
On my way to go them nobody knew about the Argos game in downtown Toronto. My Uber driver thought I was a player for the Argos for how much I was talking to him about the game. When I tell folks that TFC is more relevant in central Toronto you all laugh but any TFC game you see jerseys out and about and I can chat up most folks and they will know that TFC is playing that day at the very minimum. Nobody had a clue even about the Argos game. Some did not even know they moved to BMO Field..
.... (incoming rant)...
This is my beef that I can for-see with the season. The Argos hired up a large group to handle this re-brand. But once again I still think the team is tone deaf, and blind to the reality that is in-front of them.
First, you know it is difficult to offer a true tailgate experience with Ontario police state liquor laws, why attempt it?
Next, using the "tailgating" to lure young fans is silly. Many of the condo dwellers who live on the waterfront and in Liberty Village DON'T OWN CARS. Plus if they do why would they go drive the car 2km to go pay $30-40 for parking when they could just walk to the game?
Next, The largely suburban fan base that arrived via GO Train. They won't drive much either. Many of these fans would be the type to try it out. I can assume many of these older fans have had a taste of real tailgating in the USA and may get turned off the the overbearing atmosphere that is present here.
Lastly, It would of been much more smart just to have a "outdoor party" make it into a day club before the game with music and cheap drinks. Bring in DJs who are popular in the Toronto scene that would bring out younger people. Have some food trucks and sell some beers. Not that hard to do.
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