Oregon College Football Crowds Are Far Smaller Than Announced, Investigation Finds
Football attendance figures at the University of Oregon and Oregon State University substantially exceed the number of fans who actually enter their stadiums, according to an investigation published Saturday by the Oregon Journalism Project in Willamette Week.
OJP’s Investigation Reveals the Gap Between Announced Crowds and Actual Attendance
Ticket-scanning data shows thousands of ticket holders miss games, and the reduced stadium numbers potentially cost universities additional revenue, according to an investigation by journalist Khushboo Rathore.
The Oregon Ducks averaged 46,696 spectators per home game last season, with about one in five ticket holders failing to attend.
At Oregon State’s Reser Stadium, although announced attendance averaged 30,145 per home game, actual attendance was barely 19,000, representing a no-show rate of about 37%.
The Oregon Journalism Project obtained the figures from journalist David Covucci of FOIAball, who collected attendance data from 55 public universities through freedom-of-information requests.
The trend continued this season at Oregon- attendance reached 84% of ticket capacity for the Ducks’ home opener against Boise State but fell to 70% for their following game against Portland State, which Oregon won 84-0.
Oregon State athletic director Kevin Griffin attributed the Beavers’ high no-show rate to inconvenient kickoff times, a geographically dispersed fan base and recent losing seasons.
Oregon’s Ticket Fees and Refund Restrictions Show the Financial Stakes for Fans
Universities may already have received payment for unused tickets, but absent fans also mean fewer purchases of parking, food, drinks, and souvenirs.
The OJP investigation- based on a review of recent NCAA financial reports- suggested that roughly 80,000 no-shows at Ducks games over the previous season could equal a net revenue loss in the seven figures.
The University of Oregon’s football ticket prices fees support athletic-facility improvements and repayment of bonds used to build Matthew Knight Arena through the inclusion of a $6 Facility Enhancement Fee and a $1 Arena Bond Fee per game.
The university generally does not allow refunds or exchanges, including when game dates or times change. But fans can transfer or resell eligible tickets through its mobile ticketing system, potentially allowing unused seats to be filled.