Sunday December 3, 2023

From Zero to 100,000 — Sports Return to Full Stadiums

Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports/Design: Alex Brooks
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

After more than a year of quiet stadiums filled with cardboard faces, sports are returning to normal — fans are back, many stadiums are at full capacity, and business is booming.

In a new $10 million campaign, Bud Light said it will pay for and give away 100,000 tickets for baseball, hockey, football, and basketball games. Fans of legal age will even get a free beer.

The promotion and others like it come as more venues announce their full-scale returns.

  • Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United, is opening its doors on May 15 with a full capacity of 71,000. 
  • Massachusetts will allow 100% capacity on Aug. 1, including at Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots.
  • Truist Park, home of the Atlanta Braves, plans to open on May 7 with a full capacity of 41,084.
  • The Texas Rangers allowed full capacity (40,300) on Opening Day this year, the only MLB team to do so.

Fans play a massive role in the success of a team or league’s business. Without them, MLB teams lost $1 billion in revenue in 2020, for example.

In March, NBA commissioner Adam Silver said he expects full capacity at stadiums next season, and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said the same for football.

Silver has also said that 40% of NBA revenue comes from game nights with fans in attendance.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

NASCAR Secures $7.7B Media Rights Deals

Amazon and Warner Bros. Discovery come on as new partners.
NASCAR president Steve Phelps speaks to the media prior to practice for the Cup Series Championship race at Phoenix Raceway.

NASCAR Set To Add At Least One New Broadcast Partner

Previous reports suggest that NASCAR will lean into streaming.

NASCAR's Streaming Ambitions Could Be Final Piece Of Media Rights Puzzle

NASCAR is in the final stages of media rights negotiations.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

CFP Looking to Super Bowl for Media Rights Plan

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

The College Football Playoff is considering rotating TV networks for the national championship game.

CFP Considers Super Bowl-Like Rotation For National Championship Game

Multiple networks could share rights to the championship game, sources told FOS.
Brett Favre
November 27, 2023

Favre Welfare Case Hold-Up? "AG’s Office Has Not Expressed Interest In Pursuing"

The DOJ interviewed Brett Favre in early 2020.
The future of the Pac-12 rests on a court decision.
November 24, 2023

The Pac-12 Plays Its Final Regular-Season Game. Then A Court Decides Its Fate.

The conference's future rests with a court decision.
Lane Kiffin
November 9, 2023

Ole Miss, Lane Kiffin Lawyers Argue for Dismissal of Player Lawsuit

FOS obtained audio of Lane Kiffin's interaction with the player behind lawsuit.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Wasserman
Multiple - USA Careers
Live Nation
Multiple - USA Careers
Saco Bay PT
Multiple - USA Careers

Commanders Spend Big On Current Home While Planning New Stadium

The Washington Commanders will keep upgrading FedEx Field.
November 30, 2023

Brisbane's Big Build: $1.8B Super Stadium For 2032 Olympics

Centerpiece venue for upcoming Games to be torn down, rebuilt.
A rendering of the SSG Landers new baseball stadium currently under construction in Incheon, South Korea.
December 1, 2023

Korean Baseball Team Building First Stadium With A Mall

The KBO’s SSG Landers are building a 21,000-seat stadium in Incheon.
Sponsored

NHL’s Chris Foster on Amplifying Content Distribution With Automation

Learn how the NHL is using WSC Sports to increase fan engagement.
Wimbledon center court on a partly sunny day
November 27, 2023

Wimbledon Expansion Fate Rests In London Mayor’s Office

London borough of Wandsworth votes against $250 million expansion bid.
A rendering of the inside of the proposed rebuild of Ryan Field.
November 21, 2023

Northwestern Secures Approval For New $800M Football Stadium

Northwestern's rebuild of Ryan Field can move forward after a contentious debate.
November 17, 2023

Tiger, Rory's New Golf League Dealing With Setback As Dome Collapses

The dome at SoFi Center in South Florida collapsed.
A rendering of the proposed renovations to the Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns football stadium.
November 17, 2023

Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns Investing $65M in Stadium Renovation

It’s the biggest renovation since the venue opened in 1971.