Soon after purchasing tickets for the Utah game and figuring in hotel and gas charges, I got to wondering what type of role the economy is going to play in the future.

With gas being priced at record highs and airfare being high too, how do you guys think it will affect attendance? 

I don't think it will make a huge difference when it comes to the home crowd.  Obviously, it's going to hit the visitors much harder.  I except the Big House to keep being sold out like normal, but I can definitely see the visiting crowd keep getting smaller; especially, with our OOC games with teams like Utah. 

Thoughts?  

I don't think the economy will effect people from the Ann Arbor area going to games but people coming in from Ohio and other states it could have an effect.

Let's Go Blue!!

Let's just hope oil goes below $100/barrel, as some are now predicting.  We all could use it that is for sure.

You ain't kidding BigBlue06.  I live in southern Indiana and where I usually get gas; it's down to $3.77 a gallon, which in today's world I guess is pretty cheap.  Let's hope it stays that way or cheaper come late August when I make the trip to A2.   

Sports radio here in Detroit mentioned several times this past winter that the economy was partially responsible for diminished Red Wings attendance.  College football is obviously much different so you won't see a drop in overall attendance at games.  However, as Wangler to Carter mentioned, the economy almost certainly will affect some individuals ability to attend a Michigan game this fall.  

I don't think it will make much of difference in attendance.

Peoplewill skimp on something else just to afford to go to the game, likebuying cheaper beer, staying at Motel 6 instead of the 5 star, sellinga kidney (only need 1), buying the cheap meat for the tailgating (or mooch off others) 

I'm hoping gas prices will continue to fall as the summer comes to an end along with the big travel season.  My wife and I went to Chicago before the All Star break to see the Cubs and gas was over $4.00/gallon and that was rough.  I'm hoping to see prices cheaper than that when we trek to Ann Arbor in October.

Bad economy or not, I'm not missing Michigan games.

Go Blue!! In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first-ahead of personal glory.

I live 650 miles away and usually get back to AA for 2 games per year.  Like most, I've had to cut back on some of the "luxuries" of life, but my trips to UM games are necessities!  "I'd rather have a full bottle in front of me than a full frontal lobotomy."

So far I am budgeting 1 game (Utah) but if gas continues to fall I might get another one in. It's great to be a Michigan Wolverine!!!!!!!

Yeah i dont think it will effect attendance ever.. there are easily 110,000 within a close drive distance that would love to go to the big house every saturday. 

zaco


Yeah i dont think it will effect attendance ever.. there are easily 110,000 within a close drive distance that would love to go to the big house every saturday. 

I will still be attending games - making the drive on Friday, returning home on Sunday. I may cut other things out - and I'm driving a fuel-efficient car. I guess it would be more efficient if I didn't drive 75 - 80  the whole way... but even then I was getting 33MPG. Not driving as fast means it takes me considerably longer to get out of the state of Ohio...not sure if I want to compromise that! Regarding our military: "If you can't stand behind them, stand in front of them."
RIP Bo. You were an amazing man; it is because of you, I am the Michigan fan I am today.

BigBlue06


Let's just hope oil goes below $100/barrel, as some are now predicting.  We all could use it that is for sure.

gas prices are on thier way down. is it wrong to say i had a smile on my face when i filled up for $3.84 couple days ago!?!? the highest i paid this summer was $4.49 that was at a BP gas station on Middlebelt rd. across from the airport.  

The Girl


I will still be attending games - making the drive on Friday, returning home on Sunday. I may cut other things out - and I'm driving a fuel-efficient car. I guess it would be more efficient if I didn't drive 75 - 80  the whole way... but even then I was getting 33MPG. Not driving as fast means it takes me considerably longer to get out of the state of Ohio...not sure if I want to compromise that!

I think you want to get out of C-Bus as FAST as possible....

Driving from Chicago makes the trip much longer than my drive from Toledo, but a helluva lot cheaper than my flight from Arizona every other weekend for the past 6 years.

I think the economy and gas will affect fans like myself who live in Chicago, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, Columbus, etc, that have a considerable drive ahead of them.  However, it's not going to stop me, so I won't miss any games this year.

Go Blue!!
In order to have a winner, the team must have a feeling of unity; every player must put the team first-ahead of personal glory.

it won't affect attendance but it will affect demand

westchamp


it won't affect attendance but it will affect demand

Bingo.

Hopefully it just keeps opposing fans away.