The Minnesota Gophers have experienced one of their most successful stretches of football in decades under head coach P.J. Fleck. From an 11-win season in 2019, to multiple bowl victories, to consistently fielding competitive teams in the Big Ten, Fleck has raised the program’s profile nationally. Yet one number stubbornly refuses to rebound: season ticket sales.
The downward trend began in 2015 when then-athletic director Norwood Teague implemented a controversial new structure of mandatory ticket fees tied to seating locations. It was a move that alienated a loyal fan base that had been showing steady support since TCF Bank Stadium opened in 2009.
The numbers tell the story clearly:
-
2013 – 33,284
-
2014 – 33,385
-
2015 – 27,885
-
2016 – 22,706
-
2017 – 22,990
-
2018 – 21,682
-
2019 – 21,689
-
2021 – 23,636
-
2022 – 23,443
-
2023 – ~25,317
-
2024 – 23,592
-
2025 – 23,089
In just two years, Minnesota went from over 33,000 season ticket holders to fewer than 23,000, a nearly one-third drop. Even though the ticket fees were rolled back in 2017—coinciding with Fleck’s arrival—the damage was done. The base never recovered.
The timing could not have been worse. In 2015, Jerry Kill resigned midseason due to health reasons. Defensive coordinator Tracy Claeys was promoted and coached the 2016 season, but he lasted only one year before Mark Coyle brought in Fleck. In other words, at the exact moment fans were being asked to pay more, the program was enduring leadership turnover and uncertainty.
Fleck injected energy immediately, and his signature “Row the Boat” culture brought national attention. The program reached heights not seen since the 1960s with its 2019 season capped by an Outback Bowl win over Auburn. Yet despite this resurgence, season ticket sales never returned anywhere close to pre-2015 levels. The 2019 total—21,689—was nearly 12,000 fewer than 2014.
Even more telling is that the best season in modern Gopher football history did not produce a sustained bump. While there was a modest rise in 2021 and 2022, the 2024 and 2025 numbers slid back down again, hovering just above 23,000.
So why haven’t fans returned in force? A few reasons stand out:
-
Lasting resentment from the ticket fee rollout. Even though it ended years ago, many fans still point to 2015 as the moment they walked away. Once you lose a season-ticket holder, it is extremely difficult to bring them back.
-
Changing consumer habits. With games widely available on TV and streaming, many fans opt to stay home rather than commit to a season ticket package.
-
Game day costs and convenience. Parking, concessions, and the time commitment make attending in person a harder sell compared to watching from the couch.
The bottom line is clear: while P.J. Fleck has restored the Gophers’ on-field, the off-field challenge of rebuilding a strong season-ticket base remains unsolved. Until the University finds creative ways to reconnect with fans who left after 2015, attendance will likely continue to lag behind the program’s success.