New York City FC (NYCFC) are one of two expansion teams to join MLS for the 2015 season, the other being Orlando City SC. On Wednesday it was confirmed by NYCFC that they have sold over 10,000 season tickets for their inaugural season.
New York City will be playing at Yankee Stadium for at least the next three years with an expected planned capacity of 33,444. According to the team’s website, nycfc.com, you can become a Founding Member by purchasing season tickets for as low as $306 for the entire season. I did a little research on my end and found this to be the supporters section.
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The last few years have been great for MLS expansion. The last five teams to enter the leagues since 2009 — Seattle Sounders, Philadelphia Union, Portland Timbers, Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact — have done extremely well in attendance numbers every year. The Sounders being the highest every year mainly because they play in an NFL stadium. If you take the five teams average since they entered the league — 38,161, 18,358, 19,780, 19,975 and 21,687 — you get 23,592 as the average attendance for these five clubs. Each number I listed is an average attendance for each year those five teams have played since they entered the league in 2009.
photo courtesy nycfc.com
I wonder if NYCFC will be able to build off this number in the next few years or if the numbers will dwindle. Only reason I ask is because of the configuration of the field for the pitch. I’m not sure how many people will actually enjoy going to Yankee Stadium to watch soccer.
"“Selling 10,000 season tickets in [less than] six months demonstrates what we have always known: New Yorkers have a true passion for soccer,” team chief business officer Tim Pernetti said in a club statement. “Together with our fans, New York City FC will deliver a fantastic team on and off the field, an awesome game-day experience, and a club that New Yorkers will be proud to call their own.” — courtesy mlssoccer.com"
I’m not sure if I exactly agree with Pernetti’s statement but the team has made a splash on the players they have brought in–David Villa and Frank Lampard.
"“Everyone at New York City FC is grateful and proud of our fans for coming on board and giving us their support at this early stage. We can’t wait to work with them to hit the next milestones.” — courtesy mlssoccer.com"
I am really curious on how long the fans will be on board. If they get a soccer specific stadium deal soon, I could see it being a long relationship with a full stadium every match. If they are stuck playing in Yankee Stadium for longer then three years, I don’t see it lasting. MLS Commissioner Don Garber is so adamant about having all clubs with soccer specific stadiums so I don’t see it being long until we here about a deal being done.
Regardless, well done New York City FC fans.
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