RICHMOND, VA – (Tuesday, September 19, 2017) – The Richmond Kickers announced today that the club is on course to set a new average attendance record for the fourth consecutive season, currently averaging 4,441 fans per game, which surpasses last year’s then-record high of 4,029. With two regular season home games remaining on September 23 and October 1, the club is on track to reach an unprecedented average of 4,500 fans per game.
“This past weekend, MLS and USL attendance records were shattered with 70,000 fans in Atlanta and 30,000 fans in Cincinnati, commented Leigh Cowlishaw, Richmond Kickers Director of Soccer. “We draw inspiration from these remarkable success stories and continue to strive to make the Kickers the number one sports experience in Richmond.”
“From Short Pump to Scotts Addition, from Mechanicsville to Midlothian, from Church Hill to Carytown, we are RVA’s team and we want the entire community to get behind us to create another phenomenal success story right here,” added Cowlishaw. “There is no better atmosphere in RVA than a packed City Stadium and the team would love nothing more than to finish our 25th anniversary season with two home victories and to smash our attendance record for the fourth year running with back-to-back sell outs!”
The club’s historic 25th Anniversary season kicked off March 25 when supporters unfurled the league’s largest TIFO before the Kickers defeated Harrisburg in front of an electric 8,021 single-game regular season record-breaking crowd. Two weeks later, the Kickers hosted over 7,600 fans for the Second Annual Carytown Craft Beer Festival at City Stadium. Through 14 regular season games, the Kickers rank 11th in the 30-team USL in attendance, with an above-average 4,335 fans per game.
This year’s attendance records were bolstered by the fourth consecutive English Premier League exhibition, when 8,119 fans flocked to City Stadium to see Swansea City AFC return to the region. In total, more than 30,000 fans have enjoyed high profile international exhibitions in Richmond over the past four seasons.
The 2017 season also marked landmark achievements in broadcasting, sales revenues and stadium progress. The club inked its first-ever television deal with WTVR CBS 6 airing 17 live games, as well as set new club records in ticket sales, sponsorship and merchandising. Additionally, the Kickers were unanimously approved for a 40-year lease at City Stadium, the historic 1920’s venue that the club has called home for more than two decades. The terms of the agreement will see the Kickers make approximately $20 million in upgrades over the life of the lease to revitalize City Stadium for the city, surrounding neighborhood, fans and community.
Heading into the final month of competition, fans are encouraged to sell out City Stadium at the club’s penultimate home game when they host the Rochester Rhinos and Oktoberfest on Saturday, September 23. Presented by The Hof, Oktoberfest begins at 5:30 p.m. with live German music by The Low ‘n’ Brows, brats and savory Germany fare, Sam Adams Stein Hoisting Competitions and over 15 seasonal and Oktoberfest craft beers on tap before the pro game kicks off at 7:00 p.m.
The Kickers return to City Stadium one week later to prove that RVA is RED at the regular season home finale when they host Orlando City B. Fans wearing red will receive a drink ticket included in their admission and an exclusive adidas t-shirt and ticket package is on sale now at www.richmondkickers.com.
