Syracuse and Virginia top ACC in total and average mens lacrosse attendance. Otto the Orange was #1 in both categories even without a home playoff game in the mix. The Cuse play in the JMA Wireless Dome, where the games are sequestered from the upper New York weather and where the hoops and football team also play. The Dome should not get all the credit. Syracuse has great fans and they make the trip no matter the opponent or the weather at their door step. The Cuse broke the 5000 barrier twice (Johns Hopkins and Notre Dame) and nearly had 3000 for two highly overmatched opponents. Those that care about attendance in the NCAA playoffs definitely want the Orange back in contention.
Charlottesville is a great college town and people come to support the Cavaliers. UVA broke the 4000 barrier 3 times. I have never been to Klockner Stadium, but reportedly is a great place to watch a game. You can see fans on both sides of the field which helps with game energy and TV boradcasts. The out of conference match up against the Terps drew 5745. Let’s hope this rivalry gets played every year at a prime time. How about a regular season 4 team DMV double header tournament with Maryland and Virginia and Georgetown and Navy with the winners and losers playing? Lacrosse needs these kinds of high-profile games that reinforce regional rivalries.
Notre Dame’s attendance really picked up later in the season. February and early March games are hard in South Bend, especially against non-ACC opponents. The game against Marquette was played inside and had limited attendance. It is possible the Irish only played two outdoor home games in temperatures over 50. Notre Dame also plays less home games. The game against Michigan has the making of a fun rivalry. If the Irish could fit another top-flight home game in April or play an early “home” game somewhere warmer it could help overall attendance. Notre Dame brought a lot of fans to their Championship run in Philadelphia. It was great to see and portends an even brighter future in South Bend and for Irish fans that might be new to lacrosse.
UNC’s game at Our Lady of Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland is a big factor in this ranking, and if it was taken out UNC’s home game attendance its pole position here would drop. The TV broadcaster Anish Schroff said the game was technically a UNC home game. It is good to change things up, and the game was well attended and had a unique energy. However, it is a little concerning that the Tar Heels top attended “home” game was at a Maryland High School almost 300 miles away from Chapel Hill. Reportedly, this game will be repeated here in 2024 as an Orange “home” game. Corrigan Sports based just south of Baltimore helped put on this game. Olney is in the DC suburbs which might show that the lacrosse support ecosystem still remains much stronger further north.
On the field, Duke does not appear to have much to work on, but attendance at both the Carolina schools is a little comparatively light for being super elite lacrosse programs with a weather advantage. Duke does have the smallest student and alumni base to work with. The Duke fans made a nice showing in their royal blue shirts at the Championship game in Philadelphia.
Which ACC lacrosse programs consistently bring bands, cheerleaders, and mascots? Hopkins in the Big Ten consistently brings its "We want more"small band. In 2023 the ACC was the lacrosse’s dominant conference with 17 games (out of 43) with attendance of over 3000. That is enough for Mid major basketball programs to put on a full show. In a Power Five conference, are plus or minus 2000 fans (UNC, Duke , Notre Dame) or plus or minus 4000 fans (Uva and Syracuse) enough spectators for a compelling argument for administrators to really work on game day atmosphere? Combined with the quarterfinals (roughly 10,000 +TV) and Semifinals and Finals (30,000 attendees each) plus over 700,000 TV viewers that makes for an even more compelling prize for bands, cheerleaders, and mascots. Of course, the playoff prizes aren’t guaranteed, but multiple ACC teams are usually in the quarterfinals and regularly in the Final Four in 2023. The ACC occupied both spots in the final (Duke and Notre Dame). Strength of schedule is a big factor for getting in the playoffs. ACC Administrators should keep working on adding prime time fan-friendly games and making them special, which should reinforce attendance and keep the conference at the top.
