After historic attendance lows last season, Purdue is doing its best to lure fans back to Ross-Ade Stadium.
On Wednesday, the athletic department announced a cut in prices for nearly 90 percent of tickets. Another bonus: all season ticket holders will receive access to the popular south end zone patio, which debuted as a rousing success last season.
"We want our fans back," athletic director Morgan Burke said in a statement. "We know there are many factors that have affected our crowds in recent years, and we are addressing the ones we can control. The product on the field is getting better, and that will go a long way in getting people back."
The Boilermakers average attendance in 2014 was 35,269 -- Ross-Ade's capacity is 57,236 -- the lowest number since 1951. It was a steep decline from the previous year, when Purdue averaged nearly 50,000 per game. Home games against Notre Dame and Ohio State helped, as well as the excitement around Darrell Hazell's hiring.
"We know that every game being televised and the growth of digital and social media have made it easier for fans to stay home," Burke said. "And incomes, by and large, have remained stagnant the last five to seven years. So, by reducing the ticket price for a majority of our seats and continuing to place an emphasis on the fan experience, we hope Boilermaker supporters throughout Tippecanoe County, the state of Indiana, Chicagoland and beyond will come back to support our student-athletes and enjoy themselves for seven Saturdays."
Purdue's 2015 home schedule features Indiana State, Virginia Tech, Bowling Green, Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana.
Pricing breakdown courtesy of Purdue:
All seats in the Prime, Sideline and Touchdown sections have been reduced to $224, plus the respective per-seat donation Legacy Fee of $250 (Prime) and $100 (Sideline). That represents a reduction of $49 per ticket in the three sections that account for 54 percent of the 57,236 seats in Ross-Ade. Furthermore, those who pay the Legacy Fee will be able to claim a larger percentage of their overall purchase price on their taxes.
The North End Zone section is being split into two categories - below the concourse ($175) and above the concourse ($119). Last year, all tickets in the North End Zone were $175.
South End Zone tickets are $119 each.
North End Zone tickets above the concourse and all South End Zone tickets are reduced to $98 each if four or more tickets are purchased.
There is no Legacy Fee for tickets in the Touchdown, North End Zone and South End Zone sections. Revenue generated from the Legacy Fund directly supports future investments in the football program.
On Wednesday, the athletic department announced a cut in prices for nearly 90 percent of tickets. Another bonus: all season ticket holders will receive access to the popular south end zone patio, which debuted as a rousing success last season.
"We want our fans back," athletic director Morgan Burke said in a statement. "We know there are many factors that have affected our crowds in recent years, and we are addressing the ones we can control. The product on the field is getting better, and that will go a long way in getting people back."
The Boilermakers average attendance in 2014 was 35,269 -- Ross-Ade's capacity is 57,236 -- the lowest number since 1951. It was a steep decline from the previous year, when Purdue averaged nearly 50,000 per game. Home games against Notre Dame and Ohio State helped, as well as the excitement around Darrell Hazell's hiring.
"We know that every game being televised and the growth of digital and social media have made it easier for fans to stay home," Burke said. "And incomes, by and large, have remained stagnant the last five to seven years. So, by reducing the ticket price for a majority of our seats and continuing to place an emphasis on the fan experience, we hope Boilermaker supporters throughout Tippecanoe County, the state of Indiana, Chicagoland and beyond will come back to support our student-athletes and enjoy themselves for seven Saturdays."
Purdue's 2015 home schedule features Indiana State, Virginia Tech, Bowling Green, Minnesota, Nebraska, Illinois and Indiana.
Pricing breakdown courtesy of Purdue:
All seats in the Prime, Sideline and Touchdown sections have been reduced to $224, plus the respective per-seat donation Legacy Fee of $250 (Prime) and $100 (Sideline). That represents a reduction of $49 per ticket in the three sections that account for 54 percent of the 57,236 seats in Ross-Ade. Furthermore, those who pay the Legacy Fee will be able to claim a larger percentage of their overall purchase price on their taxes.
The North End Zone section is being split into two categories - below the concourse ($175) and above the concourse ($119). Last year, all tickets in the North End Zone were $175.
South End Zone tickets are $119 each.
North End Zone tickets above the concourse and all South End Zone tickets are reduced to $98 each if four or more tickets are purchased.
There is no Legacy Fee for tickets in the Touchdown, North End Zone and South End Zone sections. Revenue generated from the Legacy Fund directly supports future investments in the football program.
