Below is a graph that shows the average attendance by market over the last 10 seasons. Here are some comments:
Canada has dropped off the last couple years because of Ottawa 2008-09 thru 2010-11. They rebounded this year but when Winnipeg was added, it dropped the average since their building has a capacity just over 15,000.
In the South, both Florida teams have increased a good amount over the last few years with Nashville also increasing this year by 500 people a game. Dallas is down ~3000 than their average from 2001 to 2010
In Non-traditional markets, Colorado, St. Louis & the Coyotes have had increases each of the last two years. Slightly offset by drops in Columbus.
In traditional markets, attendance is up just about everywhere including on Long Island, where the Islanders have increased their league low attendance by 1000 this season compared to last year.
As I study the Business behind the NHL, I thought I would share my findings. The league average capacity for NHL arenas is 18,272. The proposed Arena that the Hansen group is proposing is right at 18,000 for hockey. Check my graph below.
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