ATK as a team is poor. No identity, shitty team, no marquee players... also now playing at the same time as the two major Kolkata clubs, who themselves don't draw the best attendances.
Take away the opening game and the derby, East Bengal averages 10,216 fans (lowest 8,692 against Indian Arrows in their last game). Matches have been at okay dates too: Saturday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday. All their attendances here above 10,000 were on Saturday's.
For Mohun Bagan, that number is 10,528 and that was with all 7 of their home matches (minus derby) occurring within 31 days! Literally 7 home matches in that span. This also includes their last two home matches, against Aizawl and Minerva Punjab, to be at 5,785 and 5,384 respectively (so a drop off towards the end). Days of their matches are Sunday (derby), Sunday, Thursday, Tuesday, Friday, Tuesday, Sunday, Wednesday.
For ATK, their average is now 15,176 so still higher than East Bengal or Mohun Bagan but unlike the other two, ATK did have better promotion and better players. There home matches have also occurred between 26 November and 8 February, a much bigger span (75 days, more than double) than Bagan's 7 matches. First match saw them get 32,816 on a Sunday, next match saw them go down to 22,478 on a Saturday and almost not playing at all for a month at home. Next match went down again to 19,626 (with 10 days between matches) on a Wednesday. Then 10,065 on a Thursday and again a long gap in between games. Then 3 days later, on Sunday, 11,663. Then, 5,295 on a Saturday against Bengaluru, and finally 4,292 on a Thursday against Kerala. Performances haven't helped of course but ATK have been falling big time this season.
To me, this says that with one main league, we need a East Bengal and Mohun Bagan rivalry and ATK to go away (as well as NorthEast United... at least a rebrand for them).
Jamshedpur: Being a new team, 23k is very good attendance considering that Jamshedpur is not a football hub. I expect the attendances to remain around the same in future +- 10% due to lack of entertainment options in the city.
Kerala Blasters: Attendance for Blasters has decreased to 32k. But, seating capacity has also decreased and Blasters have performed badly at home this season. Overall, I think they are doing fine.
Bengaluru: Bengaluru drew the same in I league. They are one of the most organically developed clubs in India. At 17k, they are also doing decent.
Mumbai and Pune: Neighbours are averaging at around 7k and 9k respectively. The figures are similar to last season. Nothing more to talk about.
Goa: With 18k, they have near occupied stadium every game. They will keep on doing well.
Chennaiyin: At 15k, they are down by 5k. They are okay considering chennai is not a football hub. But, can someone explain for the drop in attendance?
Now let's talk about the bad performers:
Northeast: Everything has gone wrong this season. Timings, results, player selection, etc. From averaging around 25k to 9k this season is poor. They need to do something about it. Else they might have to shut shop.
Kolkata: From 32k to 15k, they are in big time trouble. Its going down with every match.
Delhi Dynamos: At 9k, this was expected. Delhites with their fickle nature are only interested in happening stuff around the town. Sadly, ISL is no more happening to them. They need to move to a smaller stadium and maintain around 15k.
Macro Analysis: 7/10 teams are doing decent. The overall decrease in attendance will be majorly due to North East and Kolkata. I have an argument to make. I think north east and west bengal are economically backward as compared to the rest of the country. So, people here usually cannot spend much on games. Derby is a different affair altogether. MB and EB also have poor attendances. Any thoughts?
People from that region, don't take it personally, I had an opinion and want a rational talk on it.
Comments
Kerala leads 2-1 against ATK
no chance for atk and kerala to be in top 4 any more
Take away the opening game and the derby, East Bengal averages 10,216 fans (lowest 8,692 against Indian Arrows in their last game). Matches have been at okay dates too: Saturday, Saturday, Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday. All their attendances here above 10,000 were on Saturday's.
For Mohun Bagan, that number is 10,528 and that was with all 7 of their home matches (minus derby) occurring within 31 days! Literally 7 home matches in that span. This also includes their last two home matches, against Aizawl and Minerva Punjab, to be at 5,785 and 5,384 respectively (so a drop off towards the end). Days of their matches are Sunday (derby), Sunday, Thursday, Tuesday, Friday, Tuesday, Sunday, Wednesday.
For ATK, their average is now 15,176 so still higher than East Bengal or Mohun Bagan but unlike the other two, ATK did have better promotion and better players. There home matches have also occurred between 26 November and 8 February, a much bigger span (75 days, more than double) than Bagan's 7 matches. First match saw them get 32,816 on a Sunday, next match saw them go down to 22,478 on a Saturday and almost not playing at all for a month at home. Next match went down again to 19,626 (with 10 days between matches) on a Wednesday. Then 10,065 on a Thursday and again a long gap in between games. Then 3 days later, on Sunday, 11,663. Then, 5,295 on a Saturday against Bengaluru, and finally 4,292 on a Thursday against Kerala. Performances haven't helped of course but ATK have been falling big time this season.
To me, this says that with one main league, we need a East Bengal and Mohun Bagan rivalry and ATK to go away (as well as NorthEast United... at least a rebrand for them).
Jamshedpur: Being a new team, 23k is very good attendance considering that Jamshedpur is not a football hub. I expect the attendances to remain around the same in future +- 10% due to lack of entertainment options in the city.
Kerala Blasters: Attendance for Blasters has decreased to 32k. But, seating capacity has also decreased and Blasters have performed badly at home this season. Overall, I think they are doing fine.
Bengaluru: Bengaluru drew the same in I league. They are one of the most organically developed clubs in India. At 17k, they are also doing decent.
Mumbai and Pune: Neighbours are averaging at around 7k and 9k respectively. The figures are similar to last season. Nothing more to talk about.
Goa: With 18k, they have near occupied stadium every game. They will keep on doing well.
Chennaiyin: At 15k, they are down by 5k. They are okay considering chennai is not a football hub. But, can someone explain for the drop in attendance?
Now let's talk about the bad performers:
Northeast: Everything has gone wrong this season. Timings, results, player selection, etc. From averaging around 25k to 9k this season is poor. They need to do something about it. Else they might have to shut shop.
Kolkata: From 32k to 15k, they are in big time trouble. Its going down with every match.
Delhi Dynamos: At 9k, this was expected. Delhites with their fickle nature are only interested in happening stuff around the town. Sadly, ISL is no more happening to them. They need to move to a smaller stadium and maintain around 15k.
Macro Analysis: 7/10 teams are doing decent. The overall decrease in attendance will be majorly due to North East and Kolkata.
I have an argument to make. I think north east and west bengal are economically backward as compared to the rest of the country. So, people here usually cannot spend much on games. Derby is a different affair altogether. MB and EB also have poor attendances. Any thoughts?
People from that region, don't take it personally, I had an opinion and want a rational talk on it.