Hadn't thought about that. Fine, free general admission to anyone with a middle school/high school id or equivalent.
Grapple On The Gridiron Ticket Sales
- Thread starter bman546
- Start date
Hadn't thought about that. Fine, free general admission to anyone with a middle school/high school id or equivalent.
I presume that you, and the other posters agreeing with you, have been laughing at the "records" all along then...only a measly 15k in Carver? Should have been the absolute minimum.
For f**** sake people, average attendance for the best program in the country is only, what, 8k? The highest in Carver last year was 12k?
I think 25k is already outstanding. Also, as I posted before, if this was in a 30k seat "arena", y'all would be ecstatic....but because there is that larger number, 70k, just looming out there you can't get past it.
As others have pointed out, the "diehards" already bought season tickets + "20" extras, so I think we can safely say the "wrestling fans", in general, have already bought their tickets. That leaves the non-wrestling or casual fans to pick up 14k more to hit your "required" benchmark. Maybe 14k doesn't seem like a lot, until you realize that would have been the second highest attendance of ALL college wrestling meets last year. And it would be being done with the casual/non-wrestling fans.
Come on fellas, it isn't like Carver was simply turning away people by the thousands because it wasn't big enough.
It's hard to respond to this because you completely ignored the point I very clearly made; that as a one time event it is completely unique and cannot be judged by ordinary standards.
There are a helluva lot more than 40k people interested in Iowa wrestling. The question is simply what percentage are willing to show up for this one time event. I'd hope that the percentage would be high, and would be very disappointed if it's not.
You've got the second question right, but left out the important part of the first statement. It isn't how many are "interested", it is how many are interested and will show up. We have evidence for this. This is not the first, nor only specific event seeking attendance. The record was 15k, set only a few years ago. Carver wasn't turning away thousands. If Carver had unlimited seats how many do you believe would have attended? 16,000?
There are a helluva lot more than 70,585 people interested in Iowa football, but how many showed up to the last game, homecoming? 68k. That attendance is, in fact, disappointing because we objectively know that it can be higher.
We have nothing, repeat nothing, to base higher than 25k attendance on.
But, I'm done arguing this, it is trivial and pointless. Of course everyone hopes for 40k+, it is just saddening, to me, to know that there are people who will be at this extremely exciting event upset/disappointed it didn't hit that mark, largely based on the size of the stadium.
That is the thing, it already IS high, higher than ever in the history of collegiate wrestling. Higher than anyone probably even wished for just 6 months ago.
This is a good point, and should be discussed. But I want to know why you won't pay extra to see this. You sound like you will already be tailgating, parked in the area, so what would you prefer to be doing other than attend, or to do with that $10?
I'm sure I'm not the only wrestling fan that is waiting until the week of to purchase my ticket. I'm not going to buy a ticket now and have to deal with any hassle associated if it gets moved inside. I'll attend a couple of meets at CHA like I always do, but don't need to worry about having to have this ticket transferred.
I'll see what the weather forecast looks like the week of and make my decision then. I'm not too worried if I don't make the decision until the day before or day of.
I think there will be a good number of tickets sold in that final week.
Sorry that you feel that way, Billy Ray. I still think the meet will be well worth the $10.
Question for the rest of the board: would you consider it a legitimate record if Penn State allowed their football fans in for free to pack Beaver Stadium?
I don't think I would.
Question for the rest of the board: would you consider it a legitimate record if Penn State allowed their football fans in for free to pack Beaver Stadium?
I don't think I would.
Good post Billy Ray. I am all for trying to bring new fans into the fold and believe there could be no better match up than Iowa vs. OSU to do it, but truth be told I would rather not be sitting next to someone that is in attendance because they are taking one for the team. Also not sure why someone would think purchasing a ticket for one event would allow them access to another, totally separate event, just because they take place at the same venue. Would be a seating nightmare if that were the case.
Billy Ray...sorry to hear that. I get that wrestling might not hold your interest. Thing is, the state of Iowa is known for two things: Corn and Wrestling. The university that you support is especially famous for it.
Iowa might have good seasons in other sports. Take football...a good season at Iowa is having two losses and going to a decent bowl game. Fans seem to be happy with it...you have a coach who specializes in it. Basketball? Getting to the Sweet Sixteen and finishing second or third in the B1G. With Iowa wrestling, a good season is complete when they are champions. Everything else is...meh.
You probably already know all of this. Fine. But it irks me that folks have a hard time supporting a team/sport that has showered excellence on your state and university...especially given the one-time nature of the event.
So save your ten bucks, sport, and buy a couple of more packages of weenies to cook at tailgate. Or...you can pony up, take an hour or two break, and come out and cheer the best sports program the University of Iowa will probably ever have.
Iowa might have good seasons in other sports. Take football...a good season at Iowa is having two losses and going to a decent bowl game. Fans seem to be happy with it...you have a coach who specializes in it. Basketball? Getting to the Sweet Sixteen and finishing second or third in the B1G. With Iowa wrestling, a good season is complete when they are champions. Everything else is...meh.
You probably already know all of this. Fine. But it irks me that folks have a hard time supporting a team/sport that has showered excellence on your state and university...especially given the one-time nature of the event.
So save your ten bucks, sport, and buy a couple of more packages of weenies to cook at tailgate. Or...you can pony up, take an hour or two break, and come out and cheer the best sports program the University of Iowa will probably ever have.
Not to mention there will still be plenty of time to tailgate and hang out with friends after the meet!
Take your kids and their friends. They will remember being there for their rest of their lives. You pay 10 bucks for a movie that you don't even remember a few weeks later. You aren't going to forget the time you were in Kinnick for a wrestling meet.
Billy, you've made your voice heard. If this "stunt" isn't for you, than just wait in the parking lot til the football starts. Some of us see value in a historic event like this.
- First time ever a D1 wrestling event will be held inside a football stadium
- Two top 5 teams going against each other
- Two of the most storied wrestling programs going at it.
$10 is a no brainer really.
You give so much no shits that you decided to come onto a wrestling board and post. You're non too educated are you Billy Ray?
It looks like Da Coach got bored on the football board and paid us a visit.
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Hey Billy Ray, make sure you don't over cook those weenies 8 hours before the football game, but your use of the word "stunt" makes it sound like this is a circus or someone holding their breath underwater for 2 minutes. This is two storied programs wrestling outside at a football stadium for the first time! Sounds like it will make good conversation for the 6 hour tailgate afterwards. Just saying
That did say "wrestling" in it right? Was that next to the Bolshoi Ballet Forum? How those ladies doing this year?
Billy Ray = Da Coach. We all know she doesn't have 10 dollars in her account.
You calling anyone else on this board an idiot is beyond ironic... I, for one, will be delighted I won't have to sit next a pie eating mouthbreather like yourself.
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Great call by hawkeyeheaven08! Billy Ray is, indeed, da coach. He showed his colors with his patented f word and personal attacks. I've perfected my da coach ID skills on the football board. Can usually get it in one post. This time, it took a few, and a little help from 08.
Rest assured, wrestling fans. Da coach is anything but representative of Iowa fans on the whole.
40k or bust!
All kidding aside, you have to laugh at the tremendous lack of logic behind spending $200-$300 on a day of Iowa football but refusing to spend an extra 3-5% for a historic, record-setting wrestling meet.
I'm betting da coach can't stay away and ends up joining us for the Grapple.
I'm betting da coach can't stay away and ends up joining us for the Grapple.
Interesting, thanks for answering. You don't seem to consider them as two separate, distinct events, which is obviously your prerogative. Wear a funny hat so I can recognize you and I'll buy you the ticket.
Right, after 25k it is all General Admission, so seat yourself anywhere else you choose. That doesn't mean tickets aren't available.
It looks like Billy Ray's posts were deleted. That's too bad, we have some pretty good trolls on here from time to time, you know who you are!! But poor Billy Ray was not very good at it, which makes it a lot more fun. Love the anger. I didn't even get a chance to throw in any banjo or scared sheep references, man I miss him already.
Just for the record, Huge Iowa Football fan, Iowa Wrestling fan, Iowa Basketball fan (men's and women's) Love Iowa Soccer and Field Hockey, and while I have never seen the Bolshoi Ballet, I did see Jersey Boys on Broadway and let my wife talk me in to seeing the TransSiberian Orchestra a few years back. Sorry Billy Ray, most Wrestling fans are a little more enlightened than you might like....well a little more enlightened than you at least.
GO Hawks!!
Just for the record, Huge Iowa Football fan, Iowa Wrestling fan, Iowa Basketball fan (men's and women's) Love Iowa Soccer and Field Hockey, and while I have never seen the Bolshoi Ballet, I did see Jersey Boys on Broadway and let my wife talk me in to seeing the TransSiberian Orchestra a few years back. Sorry Billy Ray, most Wrestling fans are a little more enlightened than you might like....well a little more enlightened than you at least.
GO Hawks!!
So, looking at the seating chart, the general admission seats will be north of the 40 yard line?
I thought reserved went through section 124, so ending right at the 20, but looking at it now does look like it is through 125 (40 yard line) and 107.
Maybe someone should talk to the ticket office, because the website does make it seem like there are ONLY singles left....when there are 45k open "seats" actually available, in any amount you want.
Also, if you "purchase by seat" you have to actively find open seats and click them....which you can't on the GA sections. So you actually have to go to "Purchase by Price" in order to by more tickets. Confusing. Hopefully this is NOT scaring people away.
I put in 99 tickets (apparently the max) and it won't allow it to go through, saying there aren't available tickets:
We are not able to secure seats this time. This can be caused by any or all of the following:
Maybe someone can chime in? I even tried 10 tickets together and it won't allow it. Are people not able to buy their GA tickets ahead of time? No wonder ticket sales are stagnant.
Maybe someone should talk to the ticket office, because the website does make it seem like there are ONLY singles left....when there are 45k open "seats" actually available, in any amount you want.
Also, if you "purchase by seat" you have to actively find open seats and click them....which you can't on the GA sections. So you actually have to go to "Purchase by Price" in order to by more tickets. Confusing. Hopefully this is NOT scaring people away.
I put in 99 tickets (apparently the max) and it won't allow it to go through, saying there aren't available tickets:
We are not able to secure seats this time. This can be caused by any or all of the following:
- Ticket availability is limited and no seats with the requested quantity can be located adjacent to each other - Please try searching for fewer seats or checking the "Search seats across multiple rows." box in Step 2 of the search process.
- Online sales may be suspended because the event is within 2-3 hours - Please stop by our ticket office to inquire into the availability of ticket.
- Tickets are currently sold out - Though we do our best to update our website as inventory is sold out or released, it's possible that this event is sold out or restricted to phone sales only. Please call 1/800-IA-HAWKS between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm to inquire into the availability of tickets.
Maybe someone can chime in? I even tried 10 tickets together and it won't allow it. Are people not able to buy their GA tickets ahead of time? No wonder ticket sales are stagnant.
Update:
Ticket office tells me: We still have tickets together in section in 220,221 that you can purchase. General admission will not go on sale until we are sold out of the reserved seating.
I understand in general, but if only singles remain, people won't want to buy them.
I tried to buy 5 together and it wouldn't allow it.
This is ridiculous.
Ticket office tells me: We still have tickets together in section in 220,221 that you can purchase. General admission will not go on sale until we are sold out of the reserved seating.
I understand in general, but if only singles remain, people won't want to buy them.
I tried to buy 5 together and it wouldn't allow it.
This is ridiculous.
theIowaHawk-
Sorry to hear about your frustration with the tickets... I wouldn't say sales are stagnate by any means. Having 28k sold right now is pretty impressive and I'm proud of the fans for getting behind such an awesome event. We typically have between 1500 and 3k walk up for a typical meet where we averaged 8500.. If that percentage holds true (which you would expect them to be higher) that means you would have 4500-9k walk up which is huge... So the stagnate comment might be more out of frustration than anything...
I just got off the phone with them and this is what I learned...
There are still seats in section 221 (about 200) which to be honest would be really good seats because of the unobstructed view right to the mat. It might be a little far away but when I took the range finder out it was less than 100 yards to the middle of the mat (line of sight)
There are also reserved seats in section 125 and 107 left in bunches as well... I specifically asked if there we bunches of 10 or more together and he said there were.
Originally, they were going to stop reserved at 124 and 108 but have extended it because of demand for reserved seats and there will be overflow students in the bottom 10 or so rows in each section so the rest of the seats in those sections will be very good as well.
I would encourage you to call the ticket office at 1-800-IA-Hawks
Thanks
Sorry to hear about your frustration with the tickets... I wouldn't say sales are stagnate by any means. Having 28k sold right now is pretty impressive and I'm proud of the fans for getting behind such an awesome event. We typically have between 1500 and 3k walk up for a typical meet where we averaged 8500.. If that percentage holds true (which you would expect them to be higher) that means you would have 4500-9k walk up which is huge... So the stagnate comment might be more out of frustration than anything...
I just got off the phone with them and this is what I learned...
There are still seats in section 221 (about 200) which to be honest would be really good seats because of the unobstructed view right to the mat. It might be a little far away but when I took the range finder out it was less than 100 yards to the middle of the mat (line of sight)
There are also reserved seats in section 125 and 107 left in bunches as well... I specifically asked if there we bunches of 10 or more together and he said there were.
Originally, they were going to stop reserved at 124 and 108 but have extended it because of demand for reserved seats and there will be overflow students in the bottom 10 or so rows in each section so the rest of the seats in those sections will be very good as well.
I would encourage you to call the ticket office at 1-800-IA-Hawks
Thanks
I think "stagnant" is a fair term if 26k were sold within the first 48 hours, and since then totals sales have hardly budged. It's not too surprising to me that the web site isn't very easy to use, as the vast majority of commercial web sites are pretty poorly designed and maintained, but the idea that general admission tickets won't be available until all reserved seats are sold seems like a bad one, because people who want to buy tickets in groups have nothing available to purchase.
The Oklahoma State Wrestling Team will be taking a fan bus to Iowa City to support the #1 Cowboys against the #2 Hawkeyes in Kinnick Football Stadium on November 14th.
There are plenty of tickets available for groups in section 221, 125 and 107... The notion that groups can't buy tickets is false...
26k tickets were not sold in 48 hours.. Season ticket holders purchased 10,500 seats roughly, which was in about 2 weeks of time. After that it opened to the general public which was a very large spike.. I think they sold close to 10k seats in 48 hours and then since then it has been about 2k per week to get to our total of 28k seats so far and it continues to grow every day.
Thanks to everyone that bought tickets so far and to the people who will buy them in the future! We love it and certainly appreciate it.
Then maybe I misunderstood; I thought even when he called the ticket office he still wasn't able to get five tickets together.
Luke:
Appreciate the response. I've had my tickets for awhile now, but posts by others concerned me.
If someone goes online and sees only singles left they may simply move on, which would be extremely discouraging.
I tried to buy 5 together and it wouldn't let me. I'm afraid that will scare people off. I even tried twenty in non-consecutive seats and it said now.
It seems they should have a Reserved option for the 221, and a GA option for as many as they need.
Also, see my prior posts, I meant nothing negative by stagnant, I think 28k is already an impressively awesome feat. I just want people to be able to get tickets that want to be there.
Good work so far!
Appreciate the response. I've had my tickets for awhile now, but posts by others concerned me.
If someone goes online and sees only singles left they may simply move on, which would be extremely discouraging.
I tried to buy 5 together and it wouldn't let me. I'm afraid that will scare people off. I even tried twenty in non-consecutive seats and it said now.
It seems they should have a Reserved option for the 221, and a GA option for as many as they need.
Also, see my prior posts, I meant nothing negative by stagnant, I think 28k is already an impressively awesome feat. I just want people to be able to get tickets that want to be there.
Good work so far!
I totally get it that online is much easier for some people.. the problem is online is online and its very hard to navigate and get what you want. Systems don't always mesh with what ticket offices use and what the online system likes so it's tough to get any super accurate when dealing with a computer..
I agree.. I just want everyone to be able to get tickets when they want them and where they want them and I encourage everyone to bite the bullet and call the ticket office. They would be the most knowledgeable about what is available and help work through issues that the good old computers just can't do.
I agree.. I just want everyone to be able to get tickets when they want them and where they want them and I encourage everyone to bite the bullet and call the ticket office. They would be the most knowledgeable about what is available and help work through issues that the good old computers just can't do.
