UCLA Offers Free Tickets to Boost Attendance

UCLA Athletics has announced a major shift in its ticketing policy, offering all students one free ticket to each home football, men’s basketball, and women’s basketball game. This initiative aims to boost attendance at the Rose Bowl and Pauley Pavilion, addressing years of declining numbers.

Why it matters: The change comes as UCLA faces challenges with game attendance, which has reached its lowest levels since 1982. By providing free tickets, UCLA hopes to engage more students in athletics and strengthen school spirit.

• Last season, the Rose Bowl saw an average of only 37,782 attendees per game, prompting this new policy.
• Students can access their free tickets starting September 16 for the upcoming football game against Purdue University.
• Registration for tickets will be available through the Central Ticket Office ticket holder site beginning the Monday before each game.

Driving the news: The announcement was made via email to students on Wednesday, marking a notable shift from previous ticketing practices. Previously, students had to purchase a Den Pass for access to games, which will now be refunded by Friday.

• Preston Lin, a student who attended only one football game last year, expressed relief at the new policy, stating he wouldn’t have gone to more games without free tickets.
• Alumna Jessica Navarrete noted that free tickets would have encouraged her to attend more games during her time at UCLA.

State of play: The free ticket initiative is part of a broader effort to revitalize student engagement in UCLA sports. Former student Meileen Taw emphasized that this change could lead to fuller, louder student sections, enhancing the game-day atmosphere.

• Taw, who previously bought a Den Pass, believes the increased attendance will create a more exciting experience for both fans and athletes.
• Undergraduate Students Association Council President Jayha Buhs Jackson highlighted that the financial relief from free tickets is particularly beneficial for low-income students.

The big picture: This move reflects a growing trend among universities to make sports more accessible to their students. UCLA's decision may inspire similar initiatives at other institutions facing attendance issues.

• Other students, like Chloe Rodriguez, are hopeful that UCLA will also improve transportation options for attending games, such as the Rooter Bus service.
• Rodriguez suggested integrating bus bookings with the ticket purchasing process to streamline access to games.

What they're saying: Student reactions to the free ticket announcement have been overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing excitement about the potential increase in school spirit.

• “This option will allow our student sections to be more full and our student sections to be louder,” Taw said, highlighting the anticipated impact on game atmosphere.
• Buhs Jackson noted that increased attendance could help unite the campus community and bolster school pride.

By the numbers: The following figures highlight the significance of the new ticketing policy:

• 37,782: Average number of attendees at the Rose Bowl last season, the lowest since 1982.
• 1: Number of free tickets available to each student for every home game.
• $15-$20: Cost range for the Rooter Bus service transporting students to the Rose Bowl.

Between the lines: The free ticket initiative aims to increase attendance and to address the concerns of students about affordability and accessibility.

• Students like Jazmin Balbuena, who considered sports when choosing colleges, see the value in the new policy for fostering community.
• Balbuena expressed disappointment that the policy didn’t come sooner, as she had already purchased a ticket for an upcoming game.

What's next: As the football season progresses, UCLA will monitor the impact of the free ticket policy on attendance and student engagement.

• Instructions for claiming men’s basketball tickets will be announced closer to the season's start in mid-October.
• UCLA's policies for games against the University of Southern California remain undetermined, leaving some students eager for updates.

As UCLA embarks on this new chapter in student athletics, the hope is that free access to events will fill seats and invigorate the Bruin community, creating a vibrant atmosphere at games.