Elks

[BlueFire]

Less than 1500 tickets left for the next home game. Sell out for sure. Checking the Elks site and they have more tickets left for this weekend and they don't even open their upper bowl. Sad for a once well supported team.Winning again will help.With an aging population being replaced by non football fans probably doesn't help anyone. Need to get more "new" Canadians involved.The Jets do theme nights around different cultures perhaps it's time CFL teams look at that? CFL has lots to offer like more affordable tickets,warmer weather (usually),more access to players,cheaper merch/food, etc etc
PS still lots of tickets for the last home game of the year agaianst the Argos. Could (will) be a very important game

[ModAdmin]

Less than 1500 tickets left for the next home game. Sell out for sure. Checking the Elks site and they have more tickets left for this weekend and they don't even open their upper bowl. Sad for a once well supported team.Winning again will help.With an aging population being replaced by non football fans probably doesn't help anyone. Need to get more "new" Canadians involved.The Jets do theme nights around different cultures perhaps it's time CFL teams look at that? CFL has lots to offer like more affordable tickets,warmer weather (usually),more access to players,cheaper merch/food, etc etc
PS still lots of tickets for the last home game of the year agaianst the Argos. Could (will) be a very important game

All you say is correct but the biggest factor in drawing fans to games is a winning record.  Fans that stick are fans that go to see their team play and win and the absence of that in Edmonton has diminished crowds. Perhaps the Elks are becoming more competitive again.  I'm not putting down other entertainment and cultural add ons. They do help but you have to have a winning team to ensure you engage and retain fans.

[Jesse]

All you say is correct but the biggest factor in drawing fans to games is a winning record.  Fans that stick are fans that go to see their team play and win and the absence of that in Edmonton has diminished crowds. Perhaps the Elks are becoming more competitive again.  I'm not putting down other entertainment and cultural add ons. They do help but you have to have a winning team to ensure you engage and retain fans.

There's an absolute element of getting people to the stadium for the first time.

But if they go and it's a terrible experience, they may not ever some back.

It all comes down to an exciting, winning product. Then you can do all the other stuff.

[Blueforlife]

Book your parking early for the home game, for the BB my usual prime spot was booked up well in advance.  So I booked today.  Didn't know we sold so many seats.  Bombers will make bank this year.

Welcome to the forum Bluefire

[55StickCar]

Out of all the teams in the west I would not want to meet Edmonton in the playoffs.

[dd]

Edmonton definitely is the wild card and are growing stronger by the week. BC is struggling bigtime, and Riders are meh at best. The next 2 games will be a real tell all in terms of who's the contender and who's the pretender.

[TecnoGenius]

There's an absolute element of getting people to the stadium for the first time.

But if they go and it's a terrible experience, they may not ever some back.

It all comes down to an exciting, winning product. Then you can do all the other stuff.

When I first started going to games again (2013) I only saw losses (somehow I (un)lucked out of the few wins).  I don't think I saw a win until mid-2014.

But I kept coming!  I would say even though we lost nearly everything I still found the games very exciting.  Nothing beat the energy of IGF.

So you don't have to win, per se.  But you do need to provide a great fan experience.  Of course, winning doesn't hurt!  And for every unique fan: YMMV.

P.S. I really like that in '14 we started focusing on the tricks & takeaways as the key to winning games.  That made our team much more exciting because while we were bad fundamentally/talent-wise, we could win any given game with INT luck.  That made it unpredictable, and thus more exciting.  I think struggling teams should do the same: focus on talent and schemes that can get you the big takeaways to "steal" games.  It gives uncommitted fans more of a reason to show up to almost-certain losses.

[ModAdmin]

What you have to have,is a T.E.A.M. - starting with management - that is capable and committed to bringing in the most talented coaches, players and support staff to continually build an organization that brings winning football to Winnipeg. 

No team will ever win the Grey Cup every year.  Every team goes through periods of success and missing the mark.

IMHO, we currently have a management team and Board of Directors that will continue to bring the best available players here to build and re-build winning teams.  However, it is true that a winning team will eventually age out hence the dynasties that are built and are eventually brought down.

Truth - You can't maintain a Grey Cup calibre team forever.

The Bombers are in good hands on the management and coaching sides. And the mechanics of maintaining the core combined with solid recruitment should bode well for the team in future.

[BlueFire]

All you say is correct but the biggest factor in drawing fans to games is a winning record.  Fans that stick are fans that go to see their team play and win and the absence of that in Edmonton has diminished crowds. Perhaps the Elks are becoming more competitive again.  I'm not putting down other entertainment and cultural add ons. They do help but you have to have a winning team to ensure you engage and retain fans.

Absolutely correct however now that team is winning it's a great time to expose new fans to the CFL.Hopefefully hook some long time fans that will stick around when this winning cycle slows down.

[blue_or_die]

I'm hoping that them returning to a winning and proud franchise and free of the embarrassment of Chris Jones will be enough to lure the base back. It was looking like that was in the rearview mirror previously, but recent trends are proving that it might be a possibility. Fingers crossed. We need that strong, dependable support across the prairies.