Quote:
Originally Posted by ILUVSAT
I think they pretty much will max out the design at 22,000. Seeing the initial ticket response (over 30,000 season ticket deposits in less than 24-hours) and having over 10,000 on a season ticket waiting list - I agree, they should have entered a small redesigned phase to expand the initial design to at least a 25,000 seats. Maybe even a 30,000 seat stadium.
However, I understand that they want every seat taken for each match. The bigger they build, the higher the chance for empty seats (on occasion).
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The fuller the stadium feels, the more atmosphere it has. Nothing more can kill the atmosphere at a stadium that seeing rows and rows of empty seats. Adding seats later can be done if attendance stays high.
Check out what has been happening at the Redskins stadium outside DC. When the team was performing well, the seats were full. then the team started backsliding to mid-pack and eventually to rock bottom; not only are the seats empty, there are 1/4 fewer seats in the stadium. Overbuilding is a danger all teams, no matter the sport, should avoid.
Also, this team is new now. When the newness wears off, fewer fans will show up to watch. Just like when CapMetro first introduce MetroRail. Ridership peaked then fell to a point of fairly steady consistency. Finding that point will take time to find out as real fans pay to watch a real game. Then the process of finding out what the sweet price for a ticket starts, because their goal is selling every seat and not one too much or one too little at the highest price possible.