Just read an article on declining attendance in college football...

These modern TV’s are like a window to the soul. Plus you have your own beer and toilet. In short, home is better.

Free tickets, better scheduling, more favorable kickoff times. Can't blame students for not wanting to watch State U SEC school pound Directional University with a 12:00 kickoff in 100 degree September weather with a hangover.

quote:

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why are student tickets not free?

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Supply and demand. At LSU, demand for student tickets exceeds the supply - to the point that freshmen have to pick a 4-game package rather than season tickets. I assume the other big programs (UF, Bama, UGA, etc.) can say the same. As another poster mentioned, some schools with excess supply do have free student admission.

The issue is that the demand only really applies to certain games. Using LSU as an example - you can usually count on a packed house for opponents like Bama, UF, and Auburn. But the fact is that there’s not a ton of demand among students when it comes to Utah State or even Ole Miss/Arkansas.

LSU encourages students to attend these games in two ways: they sell student tickets as a season package, and they use a priority point system for away game and postseason ticket allotment. What happens, though, is that students come to the cupcake games to scan their ID.. then they leave.

I think the way around this is: Make cupcake games free admission, first come first serve for students. The school knows which games will be high demand. Keep the priority point system as well.

Also, part of the problem is just quality of opponents. Season ticket holders have the same gripes.. I think you’re seeing more and more pushback from fans about the shitty matchups that are used to fill schedules.

Just my 2 cents.

Both UGA and USC student tix were free when I was in school at those places....curious as to when they began to charge.

nobody goes to see a shitty team no matter if the tickets are cheap or free.

Have you seen who UF enrolls now? Not exactly the football fan type.

Just look at the college section on any game in person or on a random game on the TV, half the students are on their phones. That is why attendance is down. All of us, but particularly th students of today would far rather interact with social media than the people physically around them. For this next generation:

Phone seeing what people are saying + couch > game + telling people on phone what is going on at game.

I can’t wrap my head around why it bothers people that interest in college football is declining. People move away from their hometowns more than ever now, especially young people moving west after school. There are far better things to do on a Saturday in September or October in Colorado, Idaho or Montana than to stay stuck inside watching football.

Tickets for the student section need to be free or greatly reduced. They need to get the students involved. Think of it as an investment for the future. Those kids are your future season ticket holders..your luxury box owners...
As far as the other attendance problems..shitty starting schedules, shitty. games ...quite frankly not a single SEC should be scheduling anyone not a Division 1 school. I’m pissed at my school Texas A&M. A Thursday night home opener, three 11:00 morning kickoff other games. Why is the SEC letting Jerry Jones host the A&M/Arkansas game? This should be a great home and home series. Both schools would see a packed home stadium. The schools have decided TV broadcast time at ridiculous times and days are more important than providing their fans with a meaningful game experience..
The second thing is the expense..a family of four? Can’t afford it...
400+ on Tickets Good luck finding anything that cheap for a decent game.
200 on food and drink
200 (if your lucky) on a hotel room game weekend rates
200 gas, snacks, traveling, misc...
$1000.00 minimum to see a Thursday night or an 11:00am game against a shitty opponent?? As compared to being at the ranch with 10/12 friends bbqing, watching it on the big screen, bird hunting afterwards. For the cost of meat and beer. Hmmmm
Until the schools start making the game day experience more meaningful than a rinky TV airing at odd hours, attrndance will continue to decline. The SEC has the most incredible venues and traditions in college football...but expensive, second rate games at inconvenient times is a no brainer for losing support.