The Winnipeg Blue Bombers hosted the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Banjo Bowl at Investors Group Field on Sunday.
This is one game the home team expects to sell out every year, but overall, this season ticket sales have been disappointing.
Sunday’s game, the teams sixth at home this season, was the first sellout of 2014, something they had already done twice by this time last year.
Overall, the team is averaging 30,002 fans per game, down 1,846 customers per game compared to the first six home contests in 2013. So far this year, the team has won six games after winning only three in all of last season.
"You know, it does surprise us a little bit, especially with the winning and the product on the field. It certainly is surprising,” said Bomber fan Dan Labelle outside the stadium Sunday.
League-wide attendance is also down more than 1,800 fans per game from 27,005 in 2013 to 25,162 this season.
Speaking in Winnipeg on Sunday, the Canadian Football League’s commissioner said rivalry games like last week’s Labour Day Classic and this week’s Banjo Bowl can help boost ticket sales across the league.
"Having these rivalries are very important for attendance,” said Mark Cohon. “We still are a gate-driven league, so it's important for these big matchups, and for the cities, to celebrate them."
Outside the stadium Sunday, Bomber fans predicted attendance would pick up later in the season, provided the team continues to be competitive.
"Especially if we get towards the playoffs, and we look like we might actually get in the playoffs, unlike last year,” said Andrew Osipa, wearing a skin-tight blue-and-gold jumpsuit.
The team has three regular season games left to try and boost the sagging attendance average.
