As spring games disappear, teams are losing opportunities to connect with ‘regular’ fans — and make new ones

The list of schools canceling their spring games is growing — and while the explanations vary depending on the coach or school — it’s clear that the fan-forward intra-squad scrimmage that has become a staple of the sport’s offseason is fading away. 

That’s a disappointing development for fans, who have been routinely pushed to the side as college football endures the growing pains of the modern era. While the current college football calendar needs adjustment, those changes shouldn’t include chopping out one of the most accessible avenues for fans to experience big-time college football. 

The sport is becoming increasingly professionalized, and that cold and calculated approach to costs is passed along to the fans. Prices for tickets, parking and concessions continue to rise across the country. Some power conference schools are marking up 2025 season tickets by 10% to include a “talent fee” intended to help pay the athletes. 

Getting a family of four to a college football game has long been a logistical nightmare, but now the price tag is making more families reconsider the preferred location to watch their favorite team.  

But the spring game, on the other hand, has never taxed fans for the stadium experience. 

Many spring games are free, or at least free admission with a charitable cause, like a canned food drive at the gate. Even the most-coveted spring game tickets in the country only cost pennies on the dollar compared to a game in the fall. Ohio State had an announced attendance of more than 80,000 for last year’s spring game. Ohio State is doing away with its traditional spring game format in 2025, though a fan event will be held on April 12. 

Eliminating opportunities for fans to experience the stadium and their favorite…

Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/as-spring-games-disappear-teams-are-losing-opportunities-to-connect-with-regular-fans-and-make-new-ones/

Author : Chip Patterson

Publish date : 2025-02-25 18:27:00

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