December 18, 2024
About 37,000 people witnessed Jackson State University defeat South Carolina State 28-7 last weekend at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
A crowd of 36,823 attended the 2024 Crick Celebration Bowl at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium over the weekend, where Jackson State University defeated South Carolina State, 28-7.
But according to HBCU Gameday, attendance is down for the third straight season. In 2023, 41,108 people watched Florida A&M go 30-26. In 2022, a record 49,670 fans came out to see North Carolina Beating Central University. Jackson State overtime: 41-34.
Analysts say the size of the venue, which is much larger than the previous stadium, the Georgia Dome (which was destroyed in 2017), contributed to the decline in attendance. Higher ticket prices and logistical changes also affected attendance.
If this game were played in the Georgia Dome, it would surpass the 2015 attendance of 35,528.
After the 2020 Bowl was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the game returned in 2021 with nearly 50,000 fans, a number attributed to Jackson State’s involvement as Deion “Coach Prime” Sanders was the team’s head coach.
But there is good news. Celebration cup went up in television ratings, HBCU Gameday reports.The game on ABC averaged 2.1 million viewers, up 37 percent from last year.
“This year’s success reaffirms the Celebration Bowl’s role as the premier showcase for HBCU football,” Celebration Bowl Executive Director John T. Grant. “The decision to adjust the game schedule was a strategic one, and it’s clearly paid off. We’re excited about the momentum it’s creating as we continue to elevate HBCU athletics on the national stage.”
Time helped too.
“Moving the 2024 Cricket Celebration Cup up a week was a good move,” observed HBCU Gameday’s Stephen J. Gaither. “The move avoided direct competition with the expanded College Football Playoff, ensuring the game would remain ABC’s primary focus.”
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