Ticket prices.

[Fumblitis]

Is there any truth to this? A buddy of mine had an Argo fan tweet through his feed. It was stated that to sit between the 30's is 94 dollars a ticket on game day at the Rogers Center. Can anyone Yay or Nay that?

[Will]

You can see for yourself here that your friend is indeed telling the truth.

[Neely2005]

Is there any truth to this? A buddy of mine had an Argo fan tweet through his feed. It was stated that to sit between the 30's is 94 dollars a ticket on game day at the Rogers Center. Can anyone Yay or Nay that?

With all the Ticketmaster Fees it sounds plausible for Single Game Tickets. Here are the prices from the Ticketmaster Website:

PLATINUM SEATING
CA $106.55

GOLD SEATING
CA $95.25

SILVER SEATING
CA $72.65

BRONZE SEATING
CA $48.55

BLUE SEATING
CA $37.70
Prices subject to change.

Having said that there are a lot of ways to get cheaper tickets with all the deals and packages that the Argonauts offer.

[Downtownfan]

I think ticket pricing is the single biggest reason for the decline in attendance. When you factor all the other crap (terrible venue, traffic, price of parking, outrageous price of concessions, not a great in-game experience), people look at the price (and increases over the last few years) and say-- no way. This is particularly true for the Argos crowd that has been historically a big walk up crowd. People could always get pretty good seats last minute for pretty cheap.
Last year, Braley made a lot of money on the Eastern Final-- they opened fewer sections at a higher ticket price, and sold 35,000 seats. But that was an aberration in my view (Hamilton with no home venue), and following that "fewer seats sold at higher prices is better" model does not work in this market. You can see it in the fact that it is mostly the cheap sections that are sold well, while the rest are spotty, especially the most expensive platinum seats.
Unfortunately, if we do make the move to BMO, this will continue, but at least the venue will be much better in terms of sight lines/experience (thought still shitty for concessions, travel time, etc.).

[T-Bone]

I think ticket pricing is the single biggest reason for the decline in attendance.

With so many empty seats it can be hard for someone to justify paying for a ticket in a higher price range when you can just sit where you want right now.

Unfortunately, if we do make the move to BMO, this will continue, but at least the venue will be much better in terms of sight lines/experience (thought still shitty for concessions, travel time, etc.).

BMO Field Food & Beverage

[Neely2005]

BMO Field Food & Beverage

The prices still suck and most of the Beer Stands are cash only. At least you can pay by Credit or Debit Card at the Rogers Centre. Also the beer selection is worse at BMO Field IMO, and it's not great at the Rogers Centre to begin with.

[T-Bone]

The prices still suck and most of the Beer Stands are cash only. At least you can pay by Credit or Debit Card at the Rogers Centre. Also the beer selection is worse at BMO Field IMO, and it's not great at the Rogers Centre to begin with.

Concessions at any stadium are going to be pricey. BMO Field has comparable prices and way more variety compared to Rogers Centre despite what you think from your limited experience at the stadium.

[Neely2005]

Concessions at any stadium are going to be pricey. BMO Field has comparable prices and way more variety despite what you think from your limited experience at the stadium.

I've been to 2 games at BMO Field and they do have some decent variety for food. Probably better than the Rogers Centre. Prices are probably a little better at the Rogers Centre though and you can bring in outside food to the Rogers Centre so that's a huge plus. Beer selection is better at the Rogers Centre. Payment options are also better at the Rogers Centre.

The Rogers Centre also has more and better restaurants near by.

[johnnyice]

The prices still suck and most of the Beer Stands are cash only. At least you can pay by Credit or Debit Card at the Rogers Centre. Also the beer selection is worse at BMO Field IMO, and it's not great at the Rogers Centre to begin with.

Section 117 area has a decent beer selection......

^ ^ I sit in row 33 , 100 level near the the 55 ; angle of view is much better than the lower rows.

That pisses me off that I paid about $150 more than you did for basically the same 2 seats.

Apparently, since I was late renewing, I missed the early bird cutoff to keep 2013 prices. That was a load of crap. My old ticket rep would always honour the early bird renewal price for me as I always renew in April--and I'm a long time ST holder. Then they give me a new ticket rep, and he says he can't do that. If I wasn't a die hard, I might have just cancelled my ST's and bought off scalpers for every game. Would have ended up paying less.

The scalpers are a shifty looking bunch ; might get a deal or you might get screwed . I just can't see my self buying anything from dirty , toothless homeless looking dude.

[Neely2005]

Section 117 area has a decent beer selection......

At BMO Field?

[Fumblitis]

I think ticket pricing is the single biggest reason for the decline in attendance. When you factor all the other crap (terrible venue, traffic, price of parking, outrageous price of concessions, not a great in-game experience), people look at the price (and increases over the last few years) and say-- no way. This is particularly true for the Argos crowd that has been historically a big walk up crowd. People could always get pretty good seats last minute for pretty cheap.
Last year, Braley made a lot of money on the Eastern Final-- they opened fewer sections at a higher ticket price, and sold 35,000 seats. But that was an aberration in my view (Hamilton with no home venue), and following that "fewer seats sold at higher prices is better" model does not work in this market. You can see it in the fact that it is mostly the cheap sections that are sold well, while the rest are spotty, especially the most expensive platinum seats.
Unfortunately, if we do make the move to BMO, this will continue, but at least the venue will be much better in terms of sight lines/experience (thought still shitty for concessions, travel time, etc.).

I agree no wonder the Argo games are so poorly attended. At Mosaic game day ticket prices (adult). Between the 50's: $75. 50-25 yard line. $68.50. 25-goal line. $59.00. And we bitch about that. I'm sure operating the Rogers center is pretty expensive to operate.

[Fumblitis]

The Argonauts also offer many deals throughout the season. I believe that they just had a 2 game offer that got you a third game free. Also comparing prices in Saskatchewan to prices in downtown Toronto probably isn't the best comparison.

No but a more important question is are those prices going to improve when the Argos move to BMO.

[Neely2005]

No but a more important question is are those prices going to improve when the Argos move to BMO.

Probably not. There are less seats to sell in BMO Field so I can't see the prices going down. And if MLSE buys the Argonauts I don't think that they'll lower the prices either.

It was also reported that since the City of Toronto owns BMO Field it costs more to stage an event there due to the unionized city workers.

[Will]

One thing I'll give MLSE credit for is that while, yes, the prices at the concessions at the ACC are ridiculous they aren't quite as bad as what they've become at Rogers I think and the variety and quality is a bit better IMO.

Teams are heavy into data analytics these days, essentially models showing attendance at price points and based on opponents, etc, something I bet the Argos don't do.

[Downtownfan]

Yes, when I said concessions are shitty, I meant beer prices, which is admittedly bad at all venues, though some have better selection and purchasing options than others. Having been to BMO a number of times (though only one game this season, early on), the beer selection and pricing was just as shitty as every where else in the TO gouge-fest that is professional sports.
But I will say that the Argo crowds are a pretty spirited bunch, and if/when we get in there, the place will rock.

Again, however, I still think that the increase in prices has really turned off many season ticket holders, and many, many walk up fans.

[Will]

Attendance at Argo games has been trending downward since 2009 following two seasons where the team went 7-29. There was also a change in ownership. People point to price increases after the 2012 season as driving attendance downward even further, however it wasn't as if attendance was all that strong between 2010-2012. It was a bit better, but the average was around in the low 20,000's was it not?

[Will]

The question I meant to ask was whether Argo prices remained stable from 2010-2012 or whether they were increased as well.

[T-Bone]

I usually only get cans (usually from the beer kiosk in Section 235, by the Bacardi Bar which apparently has more variety On Tap) and from my experiences the Rogers Centre has a better selection. At least I can get a can of Sleeman at the Rogers Centre, even if it is my least favorite type of Sleeman.

Roger Centre has improved its beer selection over the past 5 years and I personally want to apologize that BMO Field didn't have your favorite Sleeman available. I can't guarantee Sleeman but I'm pretty sure BMO Field's beer selection will be changing next year now: Long-term deal makes Heineken the new Official Beer of MLS, starting in 2015

The question I meant to ask was whether Argo prices remained stable from 2010-2012 or whether they were increased as well.

This is what I've found:

Article from Oct 16, 2009: Argos slash ticket prices

2010

2011

2012

[Neely2005]

Roger Centre has improved its beer selection over the past 5 years and I personally want to apologize that BMO Field didn't have your favorite Sleeman available. I can't guarantee Sleeman but I'm pretty sure BMO Field's beer selection will be changing next year now: Long-term deal makes Heineken the new Official Beer of MLS, starting in 2015

Sleeman Draft isn't my favourite but it's the only beer that the Rogers Centre has that I like. They used to have Moosehead but they don't anymore. I wasn't able to find any beer that I like at BMO Field and adding Heineken certainly won't change that.

I agree no wonder the Argo games are so poorly attended. At Mosaic game day ticket prices (adult). Between the 50's: $75. 50-25 yard line. $68.50. 25-goal line. $59.00. And we bitch about that. I'm sure operating the Rogers center is pretty expensive to operate.

The Argonauts also offer many deals throughout the season. I believe that they just had a 2 game offer that got you a third game free. Also comparing prices in Saskatchewan to prices in downtown Toronto probably isn't the best comparison.

[T-Bone]

It was also reported that since the City of Toronto owns BMO Field it costs more to stage an event there due to the unionized city workers.

Does that apply to all events or just concerts? I've heard that about concerts not sporting events. Do you have a link? They just played the League 1 final there on October 19 and I can't image they have tons of money to put on an event.

The Argonauts also offer many deals throughout the season. I believe that they just had a 2 game offer that got you a third game free. Also comparing prices in Saskatchewan to prices in downtown Toronto probably isn't the best comparison.

I know a few people that dropped their season tickets because of the ticket deals through out the season. They rather grab the ticket deals which in seasons past worked out cheaper than many season ticket packages. That may have affected attendance as well.