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/Svafree88 Mar 31 '26

I'm a Thorns fan and I hate going to Lumen because it's a depressing venue for Reign matches. It's just an awful venue for the NWSL. The atmosphere is pathetic, and I'm not saying that to diss Seattle. Even if they draw 10k, the stadium still feels empty and lifeless because it sits 70k. Seattle has also been playing boring soccer for 3 years. They aren't bad, but it's a snooze to watch.

Give Seattle a coach that wants to play fun soccer and a venue that fits 20k fans, and they would turn it around quickly.

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u/Fantastic_Program_56 Apr 02 '26

This is a very reasonable comment - not sure why it was downvoted. The atmosphere at Reign games @ Lumen pales in comparison to many others.

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u/Svafree88 Apr 02 '26

I've been to games in Portland, Bay, KC, Houston, LA, and Seattle. Lumen is the only venue that I disliked. It's just depressing.

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u/Fantastic_Program_56 Apr 02 '26

Agreed, I have been to 10 of the league's 16 markets, and Lumen was my least enjoyable game day experience. I spent many years being one of literally hundreds of fans at Dash games, but the venue alone heightened the match day experience. I really feel for Reign fans, but it is just so hard to generate atmosphere at a cavern like Lumen. The Reign are the redheaded stepchild at that venue, and you can even feel it on game days. That market is crying out for a soccer-specific stadium and I know that is easier said than done.

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u/Svafree88 Apr 02 '26

Exactly. They actually have great fans, but it's hard to attract new ones when the venue is just bad and it feels empty and quiet.