News Summary
San Diego State University is addressing declining football attendance by distributing thousands of free tickets for an upcoming game against Cal. This initiative, led by Coach Sean Lewis, aims to engage the local community and encourage more fans to attend. Included in this outreach are free tickets for families, military personnel, teachers, and students. SDSU has faced challenges with low turnout figures despite competing with Mountain West schools that are experiencing increased attendance. The program seeks to revitalize its fan base while planning for future transitions within college football.
San Diego, California – In a bid to address declining attendance, San Diego State University (SDSU) is distributing thousands of free tickets for an upcoming football game against Cal at Snapdragon Stadium. The initiative aims to engage the local community and attract more fans to bolster turnout at the game.
As part of this outreach effort, Coach Sean Lewis has utilized the team’s bye week to distribute complimentary tickets to families, military personnel, and teachers in the surrounding area. This approach follows a strategy previously employed by former basketball coach Steve Fisher, who also offered free tickets around campus to gain interest in the program. The Aztecs are providing an additional 3,000 free tickets to students, along with extra complimentary tickets to season ticket holders to encourage them to invite friends.
Current attendance figures at Snapdragon Stadium, which accommodates just over 32,000 spectators, have been concerning. The recent home opener against Stony Brook on August 28 saw many seats left empty, highlighting the attendance challenges facing the program. Moreover, an annual fan fest earlier this month also recorded low turnout numbers. The overall attendance has decreased by 0.2% compared to the previous year, with SDSU averaging 24,770 fans per home game. In contrast, Mountain West (MW) schools have seen an increase in attendance, averaging 25,620 fans per home game, excluding Hawaii.
The drop in season ticket sales further emphasizes the attendance crisis. Last season, the program saw a dramatic decline in season ticket sales, plummeting from nearly 16,000 during Snapdragon’s inaugural season in 2022 to below 9,000 in the past year. This downward trend aligns with the overall attendance situation in the conference, where eight out of twelve teams have experienced increased attendance figures. The top three teams in MW attendance—Fresno State, Boise State, and Colorado State—are moving to the Pac-12, potentially reshaping the landscape of college football.
SDSU’s football program faces pressure to enhance the game-day experience, which Coach Lewis believes is crucial for converting first-time attendees into regular fans. In addition to distributing free tickets, the program’s strategy is focused on community outreach to cultivate a more robust fan base over time. Generating revenue remains a key priority, as the program is tasked with repaying approximately $300 million borrowed for the construction of Snapdragon Stadium.
Plans for SDSU’s future in college football also include a transition to the Pac-12, which may further influence game attendance and fan engagement strategies. While the long-term outlook remains positive, the current challenges underscore the need for innovative approaches to attract and maintain a dedicated fan base.
In summary, SDSU’s distribution of free tickets represents a strategic effort to combat declining attendance and to foster stronger ties with the community. As the Aztecs face mounting challenges, maximizing attendance at games will be essential not only for financial stability but also for the overall vitality of the football program.
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Additional Resources
- 10 News: SDSU Uses Free Tickets to Boost Football Attendance
- Fox 5: SDSU Aztecs Struggling to Fill Seats
- KELOLAND: SDSU Reporting Record Football Stadium Revenue
- Wikipedia: San Diego State Aztecs Football
- Encyclopedia Britannica: College Football
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