The following is a summary of an article originally published in Axios
Sports stadiums are downsizing.
Why? Not many people want to fill them anymore. At least, not as many as there used to be. Between shrinking disposable income and the exponential improvement in streaming tech, many consumers are choosing to save cash and soak in the big game from the comfort of their couch.
“Thanks to things like HD TVs, instant replay and social media (aka, the "second screen"), fewer people are going to games. The in-home viewing experience is simply too good.”
In addition to these factors, consumers have rising expectations about what they should get for dropping a paycheck on some tickets, regardless of the event. Simply sitting and viewing a game isn’t enough - people want increased interactivity, and to feel immersed in a variety of ways during the experience.
“The focus for many of them is on having a shared live experience (similar to what you get at, say, a music festival) rather than merely watching two teams compete.”
As you think about how to recruit attendees for your next big event, think about creative ways you can make yours stand out as an experience worth paying for. It’s not necessarily about the tangible reward for a ticket (free t-shirts are only mildly exciting). Most of the time, consumers are simply looking for a unique way to make memories, whether that’s an interactive jumbotron or a mobile-friendly scavenger hunt.
