Canes Surge Into Second Half With Strong Attendance Figures

RALEIGH, NC. -Through their first 25 home games of the 2022-23 season, the Carolina Hurricanes tout an average attendance of 18,505.
With a sell-out at PNC Arena for hockey being 18,680, that gives the organization a mean capacity of 99%. A far cry from the 11,776 per-night average registered during the 2016-17 season, the rise of support has caught the attention of many league-wide.

"Tom (Dundon) is the reason we're having this conversation," Rod Brind'Amour offered. "It's because of what he's done for our franchise."
Crediting the owner's commitment to spending to the salary cap, the desire to utilize the full $82.5 million has positively impacted the team's on-ice success.
Since the beginning of the 2018-19 season, the first for the trio of Dundon as owner, Don Waddell as President and General Manager, and Rod Brind'Amour as head coach, the Canes have compiled a record of 208-96-36, third-best in the NHL. Only the Tampa Bay Lightning and Boston Bruins have totaled better.
Their attendance has improved hand-in-hand, year-over-year, jumping by over 1,000 in now four out of the five years.
Carolina Hurricanes Average Attendance, Per Season (+League Ranking)
2016-17:11,776 (30th out of 30)
2017-18: 13,321 (28th out of 31)
2018-19:14,322 (27th out of 31)
2019-20:16,795 (21st out of 31)
2020-21:N/A (COVID-19-Impacted Season)
2021-22:17,210 (13th out of 32)
2022-23 (to date):18,505 (8th out of 32)

"One aspect of our attendance numbers and trends that we are particularly proud of was the 13% jump in attendance from 2016-17 to 2017-18 because it signified we were on the right track from a business and brand perspective even before the team's success on the ice," Canes Chief Marketing Officer Mike Forman offered when asked of the figures. "Tom Dundon took over officially in January of 2018 and it's not coincidental that we pushed the envelope the back half of that season and had a little more creative freedom to test out what worked, or didn't work."
Since the end of the 2016-17 season, and obtaining that creative freedom, the fan base has continued to grow at an incredible pace.
"We have gone from being ranked in the bottom few teams in the league in number of season ticket members (STM) and overall attendance, to now being in the top 10," Senior Vice President, Ticket and Premium Sales Sara Daniel provided. "Our fans have really responded to the way the team plays and we all take pride in now being the loudest house in the NHL. There truly is a fear of missing out, people know and talk about how much fun the games are, especially when it is playoff time."
NHL Attendance Rankings, By Team + Metropolitan Population
(Info via MacroTrends.net)
"From a foundational standpoint, that 2017-18 season signified major progress for us and led into the true turning point of it all during the 2018-19 season, where team success met the off-ice success we were seeing. We established our brand pillars and identity in wanting to be bold, regionally focused and fun on and off the ice and it has translated everywhere across the organization, but most notably to the excitement and sheer number of people in the building where we now sit at 99% capacity on a nightly basis this season," Forman continued.
With a new single season-best 17 sold-out games already this season, the team has already set a franchise record with over 22,000 ticket plans sold.
"This building is as electric as it gets," Brind'Amour continued when speaking on PNC Arena. "It's amazing how electric it is. But this year, and the last few years, it's been incredible support from the community. The Caniac nation is out there in full force. We gave them a good product, and it's something that they can come out and enjoy their time for a few hours. We want them to be proud of their team and they have definitely been showing it."
The impact is felt on the ice, as well.
"Ever since Tom] took over, things have started to turn around for the better. There are definitely things to be said about the spending and making Rod the head coach. They've done a good job of bringing in the right players. We've drafted well and we've been able to keep guys, too," Jordan Staal spoke of the organization's uptick. "Tom's been a huge part of making us and keeping us competitive in a tough Metropolitan Division. Every team in this division expects to be in the playoffs, so it's nice to be in that competitive aspect as well. We've been able to keep building a brand that's been fun to play for."
"Part of it, of course, is that the product has to be good for [the growth in attendance] to happen. But I also think the game in Raleigh is starting to take off," Staal furthered. "More and more kids are involved and the game itself has been fun to watch. Our team creates a buzz that allows everyone in Raleigh and the surrounding areas to cheer for collectively."
Now with the franchise's first outdoor game just days away, set to include over 100% capacity and in the ballpark of 55,000 people, and another Stanley Cup Playoff appearance looking likely, the growth is predicted to continue in the years to come.
"We certainly have been challenged, in a good way, with the incredible growth of our STM base to figure out how we can continue to provide access and unique experiences, but I think we have done a great job with that, and we continue to challenge ourselves to see what we can add or try that is new each year," Daniel concluded with. "It all starts with the personal relationships and connections we have with our fans. Winning without a doubt helps, but the time and effort invested by every staff member here at PNC Arena to ensure our fans have the best experience is something that we pride ourselves on and know is a true difference maker."
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