The Orange and Blue will depart the USL with every attendance record as they look to make a similar mark in the nation’s top flight next season
CINCINNATI – Saturday night, before celebrating their 2018 USL Regular-Season Championship in a postgame ceremony, FC Cincinnati set one more record.
Welcoming a USL regular-season record crowd of 31,478 fans to Nippert Stadium, FCC added yet another attendance mark to its ledger. That adds to the following records now owned by FC Cincinnati after the 2018 season:
- Total season attendance: 437,197
- Average attendance: 25,717
- Season-Opener attendance: 25,667 (April 7 vs. Louisville City FC)
- Midweek attendance: 22,407 (June 13, 2018 vs. Bethlehem Steel FC)
- Season Ticket Sales: 18,007
Now, to be fair, all of those marks were already held by FC Cincinnati before they were extended this year. But the scope in which FCC out-paced its own records this season is a testament to its fans and support in the Greater Cincinnati area
“The first thing we need to say is ‘Thank you’ to our fans,” Jeff Smith, Vice President of Ticket Sales and Service, said. “We’re so grateful for the passionate support of this city and our community, which has continued to nurture our fan base. The on-field success we’ve experienced has also been a tremendous asset, and between the two factors, we have an unbelievable game day atmosphere that people want to experience and be a part of.”
What’s next?
Hopefully new USL Cup Playoffs attendance marks. That record stands at 30,187, again set by FCC in its only postseason game at Nippert Stadium to date, back on Oct. 2, 2016, against the Charleston Battery.
The Orange and Blue still have two regular-season games remaining – at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC this Saturday and at Nashville SC on Oct. 13 – before starting the postseason run at Nippert Stadium at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20.
As the USL Regular-Season champions – should they advance – Cincinnati is assured to host through at least the Eastern Conference Championship. USL Cup Playoffs tickets are now on sale, and Season Ticket Members have the opportunity to reserve tickets for all four potential rounds of the playoffs up front.
And while FCC hopes for more record-breaking crowds during a potential playoff run, the club is simultaneously building its base for 2019.
More than 15,000 season tickets have already been sold for next season – a threshold that the club hit on Dec. 31, 2017 during its 2018 sales process.
Deposits for 2019 Season Ticket Memberships will be accepted through Friday, Oct. 12, with fans needing to only place a $50 deposit to open an account. Deposit holders will have the best access to seats and are also able to take advantage of a flexible six-month payment plan.
Additionally, as an added incentive, all fans who have secured their season tickets – including those who have placed a deposit by Oct. 12 – will receive their 2019 season tickets in exclusively designed, inaugural-season packaging, which will include a special gift.
Fan who purchase season tickets after the Oct. 12 deposit deadline will get season tickets printed on regular ticket stock.
One area of the stadium already set for 2019 is The Bailey. A Season-Ticket Member exclusive area, it’s already sold out for next season with all 1,700 tickets reserved by returning and new fans alike.
“At the heart of our fan base lies the club’s supporters groups, who have helped create our vibrant game day atmosphere that’s captured not only North America’s attention, but also the world’s,” Smith said. “They’re the heartbeat of our club and at the center of our game day experience.”
And while The Bailey – and premium seating areas in the Club – are sold out already, FCC offers a wide variety of different seating options for fans at Nippert Stadium.
“We’re proud to offer the most affordable season tickets in MLS next season,” Smith said. “As we continue to grow and transition into MLS and to our new stadium in a couple of years, we have the goal to set the league standard for fan relationships and retention. We strive to be an inclusive club and our fan base has set and maintained that tone since day one. It makes it easier to help welcome new fans to our family year after year.”
2018 USL Cup Playoffs tickets and 2019 Season Tickets deposits are available now at fccincinnati.com/tickets and by calling (513) 977-5425 (KICK).
