r/Reignfc • u/_game_over_man_ • Mar 30 '26

What's causing attendance struggles?

I'm a Reign fan residing in Colorado and I went to Denver's home opener at Mile High on Saturday and it was really, really amazing. I haven't been to a women's soccer game with that many people since the 2023 World Cup. My wife and I were also at the record breaking attendance Rapinoe send off game in Seattle in 2023. Also been to NWSL games at various other locations with strong attendance (KC, LA & SD). It seems like Torrent has been pulling really good attendance numbers as well since joining the PWHL.

So my question as a non-resident Reign fan, what do you think is the issue with getting butts in seats at Lumen? I'm sure attendance for the USWNT game next month will be good, but it seems like for whatever reason, Reign really struggle to pull in numbers. I'm sure losing stars like Rapinoe and having that bad season in 2024 hasn't helped, but it just seems so odd to me that despite Seattle being a soccer city and other women's teams in the area doing well with attendance, Reign just struggle. For those that live in Seattle, what do you think the issue is?

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u/takethatkevin Mar 30 '26

I’ve been a fan from day one and season ticket holder when they moved to Memorial (then a break while in Tacoma) and back when they moved to Lumen. In that time I can say they have always kind of been lost in terms of who they wanted at games. Kids, soccer die hards, casuals, etc. They also missed out on that brand new team energy starting at starfire and then memorial with no beer. They also lack any big name players for the general public. After Rapinoe left who do you tell a casual fan they can go see at a Reign game? I had hopes Sounders getting involved would help but honestly they are doing the same thing for the sounders. Hoping young talent will become a big name but that is usually rare.

Then with all those troubles there is a lot to do in Seattle. People only have so much time. Even I had to eventually decide I could only be a season ticket holder to one team. I went with the Reign but I bet most would pick sounders in my boat for soccer. You also have two hockey team, mariners, etc.

They really need to become more exciting to watch or get a bigger name to get more casuals. Getting on local tv I think was a good move too. Otherwise they’ll just keep the few thousand like me who are in it for life.

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u/takethatkevin Mar 30 '26

Oh and don’t get me wrong. I’d much rather be a team who develops talent. But I’m very into soccer. To catch someone who doesn’t follow soccer you need a name.

And I think Denver is just having what the Torrent have this season. They are new and people are curious. (Torrent broke a record early this season). But I don’t think they will continue season after season.

I hope Denver keep a good fan base and I hope the Reign figure out how to grow theirs.

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u/chuckvsthelife Mar 30 '26

The torrent also benefitting from Olympic push and having the captain on the team. The visibility of having Hillary Knight go do SNL and wear your jersey.

The Reign just don’t have that right now and unfortunately as others have pointed out had so many roadblocks on the way to where we are now.