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Carolina Hurricanes: How to fill PNC Arena

By Omar Abdelgawad

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 22: Carolina Hurricanes fans lights the arena in honor of Hockey Fights Cancer during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on November 22, 2017. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 22: Carolina Hurricanes fans lights the arena in honor of Hockey Fights Cancer during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on November 22, 2017. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 22: Carolina Hurricanes fans lights the arena in honor of Hockey Fights Cancer during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on November 22, 2017. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
RALEIGH, NC – NOVEMBER 22: Carolina Hurricanes fans lights the arena in honor of Hockey Fights Cancer during a game between the Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Rangers at the PNC Arena in Raleigh, NC on November 22, 2017. (Photo by Greg Thompson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Over the last several seasons, the Carolina Hurricanes have had a difficult time filling seats in PNC Arena on an average basis. What can the Hurricanes do to attract more fans to watch the team?  

It’s no secret that the Carolina Hurricanes have the worst attendance in the league. We have all seen the joking and trolling on social media by other teams. PNC Arena is consistently the least attended arena in the league. This has led to calls from NHL fans in the US and Canada to relocate the team.

Some fans attribute it to the poor play of the team. I have debated if on-ice performance affects attendance or if it is the other way around. Other fans have said that North Carolina just isn’t a place for a hockey team. Buffalo has not been playing very well in the last several seasons either, yet have no issues filling their arena. What if neither location nor on-ice performance affects attendance? After all, Nashville, in our neighbor state to the west also has no issues with attendance.

Perhaps it’s time for the Carolina Hurricanes to step up to the plate in terms of fan development. If Buffalo and Nashville can keep fans coming to the games, so can we. Fan development is as crucial to the success of a team as player development. Here are a few ways the various departments including marketing, promotions, and event coordinations can help in that task.

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