Illini Football 2023

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#127      
Love this! Lowering prices after the most successful season in 15 years just shows what an absolute disaster ticketing was last year. At least they have the awareness to make the correction in hindsight. Very curious to see how they try to fill the stadium week to week. I'm also curious if they'll play the same games feigning demand with season ticket sales that they did week to week last year.
 
#128      

illini80

Forgottonia
I love that they are addressing things. Execution is the key to it all succeeding. When fans can walk in and enjoy the experience without long lines and sold out vendors, then we have turned the corner and people will want to come over and over.
 
#129      

The Galloping Ghost

Washington, DC
Robert, as is so very often the case, is spot on here. The big fear was that they'd immediately undercut the momentum last season brought by trying to extract even more money out of fans. It's the fatal flaw of so many companies and corporations make right now. Oh, you like this thing, well now it's even more expensive and exclusive. It alienates long-time season ticket holders who've suffered through a consistently horrible product, as well as any possible new fans.

Thankfully, we've avoided the short-sighted short-term economic windfall for the longer-term viability of the program. We need to create new fans. We need butts in seats. We need football games to be must-attend events with an atmosphere that gives our team an advantage on the field. Winning plus creating more fans will create a far stronger economic forecast than extracting even more money out of fewer attending fans. I've said it so many times in threads all over this site, but it deserves to be said again, thank goodness we have JW. Inarguably, he just gets it.
 
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#130      

redwingillini11

North Aurora
I will say, I genuinely hope that things get good enough for Illinois football that the ticket demand is so high that the market allows them to increase ticket prices. But until then, I am very appreciative that they are now trying to make it as easy as possible to pack the stands. The state of Illinois football is getting stronger each and every day!
 
#131      

illini80

Forgottonia
Robert, as is so very often the case, is spot on here. The big fear was that they'd immediately undercut the momentum last season brought by trying to extract even more money out of fans. It's the fatal flaw of so many companies and corporations make right now. Oh, you like this thing, well now it's even more expensive and exclusive. It alienates long-time season ticket holders who've suffered through a consistently horrible product, as well as any possible new fans.

Thankfully, we've avoided the short-sighted short-term economic windfall for the longer-term viability of the program. We need to create new fans. We need butts in seats. We need football games to be must-attend events with an atmosphere that gives our team an advantage on the field. Winning plus creating more fans will create a far stronger economic forecast than extracting even more money out of fewer attending fans. I've said it so many times in threads all over this site, but it deserves to be said again, thank goodness we have JW. Inarguably, he just gets it.
I'm guessing Bret has had some heart to heart discussions with Josh over this, and I certainly agree it's the right approach. It was a very successful season on the field and somewhat less so in the stadium and with the game day experience. Having super fans like Robert pushing the discussion is great as well.
 
#132      
What does this comment mean:
🔸
Up to $75 off parking fees for
@IlliniIFUND
members
 
#134      

Ransom Stoddard

Ordained Dudeist Priest
Bloomington, IL
What does this comment mean:
🔸
Up to $75 off parking fees for
@IlliniIFUND
members
Last year I got free parking passes because I had season tickets and an Ifund donation, so it was a savings of 7 games x whatever the normal parking fee was (I think $25/game, so $175???).

I could interpret the bit about parking fees as that parking will no longer be free for Ifund members. I hope that's not the case, because the extra for parking makes the reduced ticket price less of a thing.

Edit: This page makes it look like parking is still included with season tix, so maybe the Ifund blurb is about single game tix? I'm still waiting on a call back to change my seats from what I had last year.
 
#135      

Mr. Tibbs

southeast DuPage
I had season tix from about 1999-2005
kids were all fairly young then, old enough to sit thru a game, but young enough to not be involved in youth footballor other things yet
then it all changed with their age, and the team went south. I dropped the season tix when I couldnt even give them away

now? the kids are all long gone from the nest. live far away

seriously considering a few games next year for wifey and I. the cost per ticket isnt the issue. for me , its knowing that the investment of a complete day will be worth it. If Im going to leave home at 7:30 , and get back home at 9pm, and all the bs that it entails, I need to know its worth it .

I think I'm there finally . I've been to games here and there the last 15 years,
But its been a long time since I've known the day would pay off , in at least a minimum, a guarantee of a well played game
 
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#137      
I'm guessing Bret has had some heart to heart discussions with Josh over this, and I certainly agree it's the right approach. It was a very successful season on the field and somewhat less so in the stadium and with the game day experience. Having super fans like Robert pushing the discussion is great as well.
Can't imagine Bret being thrilled about us only pulling 45k against Iowa and Minnesota after coaching in front of 80k at Wiscy and Arkansas. JW is already on the right track; just need to continue upping the ante so that all season ticket holders that left at the end of the Zook era can't say no to coming back.
 
#139      
We can post all the kumbya pictures of athletes doing something good for their nil, but the fact is, NIL is just play for pay and about 10 or so college teams are willing to spend whatever is necessary to buy the players they want. Everyone else gets to recruit the leftovers, some who will quite good in time. There is a reason that almost never does anyone outside of top ten get a 5 star player to sign.
It's never been any different. This just brings much of it out from under the table and helps clean up some of the collateral damage and inequities of the old fake amateur system.
 
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#140      
Last year I got free parking passes because I had season tickets and an Ifund donation, so it was a savings of 7 games x whatever the normal parking fee was (I think $25/game, so $175???).

I could interpret the bit about parking fees as that parking will no longer be free for Ifund members. I hope that's not the case, because the extra for parking makes the reduced ticket price less of a thing.

Edit: This page makes it look like parking is still included with season tix, so maybe the Ifund blurb is about single game tix? I'm still waiting on a call back to change my seats from what I had last year.

“ If you are an I FUND member at the Captains Club level or higher, you will receive access to one complimentary season parking pass for all home football games. “

7 games * $25 = $175 - $100 Captains Club I-Fund donation = $75 savings
 
#141      
“ If you are an I FUND member at the Captains Club level or higher, you will receive access to one complimentary season parking pass for all home football games. “

7 games * $25 = $175 - $100 Captains Club I-Fund donation = $75 savings
Thank you.
 
#142      
That's what the schedule says.
But the attitude and motivation for this season should be that we WANT to play those guys this season. Doesn't matter which one.
Call me an optimist, but I think we could take either. Odds, yes will be against us, but I firmly believe both are possible. Just look at Michigan game last season
 
#144      
Ticket question for the IL masses -

With the new pricing I am tempted to move my seats. I've been in 207 on the east balcony for a decade. Sight lines are great since I'm near the front, but the concourse and facilities on the upper east are way behind everywhere else in the place.. and the September afternoon games on hot days can be brutal.

I am weighing a move over to the west balcony - 225 for the better amenities (and getting to experience a halftime show again instead of just seeing the back of the MI and listening to echoes). Has anyone here sat in those seats and how do they compare to the east side? 100% difference in price still but not much more than I was paying ..
 
#145      

Konnie

Western Suburbs
Ticket question for the IL masses -

With the new pricing I am tempted to move my seats. I've been in 207 on the east balcony for a decade. Sight lines are great since I'm near the front, but the concourse and facilities on the upper east are way behind everywhere else in the place.. and the September afternoon games on hot days can be brutal.

I am weighing a move over to the west balcony - 225 for the better amenities (and getting to experience a halftime show again instead of just seeing the back of the MI and listening to echoes). Has anyone here sat in those seats and how do they compare to the east side? 100% difference in price still but not much more than I was paying ..
Besides the price increase, there is an annual IFUND donation requirement which you should figure into your ticket cost.
 
#146      
Ticket question for the IL masses -

With the new pricing I am tempted to move my seats. I've been in 207 on the east balcony for a decade. Sight lines are great since I'm near the front, but the concourse and facilities on the upper east are way behind everywhere else in the place.. and the September afternoon games on hot days can be brutal.

I am weighing a move over to the west balcony - 225 for the better amenities (and getting to experience a halftime show again instead of just seeing the back of the MI and listening to echoes). Has anyone here sat in those seats and how do they compare to the east side? 100% difference in price still but not much more than I was paying ..
We’ve long been 203 people for the sight lines, but like you are disappointed with the poor/overcrowded facilities and exposure. We just booked our pair of season tickets in 229 for similar sight lines. We migrated over there for the second half of a game last fall and were sold. The facilities aren’t just better, but also support a much smaller crowd base. Looking forward to shade on hot sunny afternoons!
 
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