Discussions

We have been watching the Canada Cup curling in Brandon. I can't believe how small the crowds are. What is the problem. Surley not the price of tickets. I will be there tomorrow. Can't wait.

I'm not willing to spend $56 for 2 tickets, that's ridiculous.

I was there last night, and the problem is the angle that TSN is shooting at. The south end is full of spectators and the cameras don't pick that up. Also there are more people sitting on the east side and the cameras appear to be shooting west only.  
 
Also, I have a question for matt17 regarding the price of tickets. What do you feel would be a fair price to charge to watch world class curling? I thought that $25 a ticket for the evening draw was more than reasonable. I guess it's one of those things where I have seen concert prices and thought "no way, no how" but when something like the Canada Cup of Curling comes through I am more than willing to spend $28 for 3 hours of entertainment.

they will get bigger as the weekend comes. Yesterday, some people probably did not go due to the road conditions.  
 
I think that is a great price!

You also need to include fans in the Patch. Did seem to be a bunch of people standing around top.  
 
I Went to the evening draw last night. Wasn't as busy as I expected. It is early in week. Roads are bad. I haven't really looked to see how many tickets are available for purchase per draw.  
 
$56 for two people. I thought was good price. Not much you can do for less than $20 anymore.  
 
Little bit less important event then Brier or Hearts. For the curlers lots on the line. But just doesn't have that provincial rivalry and the big finish. It's a berth to the Roar of the Rings.

I'd consider myself more of a casual/curious fan than a serious one. I'm not so sure this event is geared toward someone like me but thought I'd throw in my own two cents to give the discussion another perspective.  
 
I know enough to recognize the calibre of teams that are here this week and think it's great that they've brought them to Brandon where we have so much curling history. I'd be someone that would take in a draw one day or night to see what it's like and would peg what I'd be prepared to pay for these early draws at somewhere between what I'd pay to go to a theatre movie ($10) and the cost of a single game Wheat King ticket ($19). To me $20+ is a bit of a psychological barrier where I'd better be seriously interested to go and am not sure that's how I'd describe these early rounds as far as my personal interests go. Once it gets into the playoffs I see things differently and I think you'll start to see that reflected in butts you see in seats as we get into the weekend.  
 
Interestingly I see that pricing for the Brier in Ottawa is not far off from this event in Brandon... ranges from $24.50-29.50 and then $35+ for playoff rounds.  
 
Cheers to curling fans getting a chance to see their sport at a high level right in our backyard this week. Hockey fans have been spoiled over the last decade with Mem Cup and other runs the Wheat Kings have gone on.... its your turn!

Went last night, this morning and then this afternoon too. I really enjoyed myself. But let's face it, those seats get uncomfortable after a while.  
 
I think the price is fine and I hope Brandon gets to host this event again  
 
Go Caruthers go!

the weekend draws do go up!  
 
Weekday evening: $25  
Semifinal draws: $25  
Championship final draws: $30  
 
when you look at the championship final at $30, what is that two packs of smokes? There is the patch with entertainment, they have meet the curlers on certain days, get autographs, although that will be over by the weekend.  
 
ENTERTAINMENT in the PATCH  
 
DATE TIME PARTICIPANTS  
Tuesday, Nov. 29 9 p.m. Booze Brothers  
Wednesday, Nov. 30 10 p.m. Nuthin But Trouble  
Thursday, Dec. 1 10 p.m. Clubbing Fraggles  
Friday, Dec. 2 10 p.m. The Johnny McCuaig Band  
Saturday, Dec. 3 10 p.m. Wonderland  
 
More than just curling.

Why do you guys think that so many fans are seniors?  
 
I know it is a work day for most but it is winter so farmers could easily attend if they wanted to. (And any curling event by the way) I took the day off work to attend with my Dad.  
 
I would estimate that 85% of the people in the stands are seniors. I felt like a young hot girl at 45 years of age. Lol

As usual! Clubbing Fraggles were AWESOME! I bet they are holding back a little to kick it off big time on Saturday! I think they start at 4:30! Great to see this entertainment combo here in Brandon! Love it! Good times!

I wonder if it's the fact that many people still curl while they are in their golden years. It's not so much a game of brawn and stamina, like a lot of sports. Every small town seems to still have a curling rink where you can find curlers from the very young to the very old. Very community oriented and socially compelling!

J27 said "I wonder if it's the fact that many people still curl while they are in their golden years. It's not so much a game of brawn and stamina, like a lot of sports. Every small town seems to still have a curling rink where you can find curlers from the very young to the very old. Very community oriented and socially compelling! "

if you don't think it is a game of brawn and stamina. All rinks will curl to games a day. The sweepers could sweep 60 rocks a game. Have you seen how they sweep. Trying to sweep that hard, bent over also restricts your breathing.  
 
Every community has a lot of old and young curlers for recreation. Not all will become competitive curlers, they are in it for fun.  
 
Kaitlyn Lawes (lead for Jones) challenge againt profession soccer (I think) in strength.  
 
https://www.olympicchannel.com/en/playback/hitting-the-wall/episodes/kaitlyn-lawes-challenges-pwgfreestyle-to-a-curling-workout/

I didn't mean that there is no brawn or stamina involved. I only meant that from a bonspiel point of view where many seniors and very young kids still curl with everyone else, it is a game that everyone can play. I realize that it is a physically demanding game, I myself have swept until i was sweating and tired. I didn't mean to offend anyone! Just trying to figure out why it does seem like most of the fans are seniors.

I think since curling was introduced as an olympic sport there has been a lot more interest as far as young kids wanting to play. But the fan base is still much higher in seniors. I just don't get it. I mean the competitive curlers are young.

young kids would be in school this week and if not often so involved in other activities after school. All those great old rinks in rural Manitoba may have had lots of kids that would have liked to watch, but maybe mom and dad were working and they couldn't get here. I think the prices were more than reasonable, but maybe not for parents to bring their children and pay for the whole family.  
 
I noticed when I moved to Brandon their were more curlers in our small club that there was in the club I joined here. Probably due to having more activities in Brandon.  
 
Those older people have the time, the means to get here and the money to pay.

Is very true. In smaller towns (I grew up in one) there are a lot more choices for groups and sports to join.

Sounds like Wheat King-level attendance tonight... two thumbs up!  
 

New attendance record set at the @CurlingCanada #CanadaCup2016 4415 people here tonight. Great job Brandon #bdnmb #record

&mdash: Ryan Shields (@RyanRShields) December 3, 2016

GO TEAM GUSHUE!!!!

Happy_ Hour said "Is very true. In smaller towns (I grew up in one) there are a lot more choices for groups and sports to join. "

My post was exactly the opposite of what I was trying to say. Lol  
 
A lot "more" should have said a lot "less".  
 
 
But then maybe I am not so sure. Sports (from what I have been told) are often so much cheaper to play in small towns than larger cities.

this is not shown on the TV schedule, but I see on the TSN site they are showing the tiebreaker game at 8:30 this morning on TSN 3.

So Epping, Jacobs and Laycock all finished the same.  
 
Any idea why these two meet first:  
 
http://www.curling.ca/scoreboard/#!/competitions/2080/standings/3469 ? Like why does Epping have to wait? I know three way ties suck but how did Epping end here does anyone know?  
 
 
And I hope Laycock can pull through. ( But I am still pulling for Carruthers. )

Brenda said "this is not shown on the TV schedule, but I see on the TSN site they are showing the tiebreaker game at 8:30 this morning on TSN 3. "

Brenda!

TEN said "I realize this might seem petty to some but why when I turn on my tv to Sportsnet does it say Canada Cup from Camrose Alberta. Maybe next draw will be correct. Come on guys! "

Not sure why sportsnet says that, because it is on TSN. Could sportsnet be broadcasting a replay of last years?

they go from Brandon to Sault Ste.Marie, where a Grand Slam Event takes place - Dec 6 - 11th. They will start TV coverage of that on Dec 8 - Sportsnet.  
 
TV Schedule  
 
http://www.thegrandslamofcurling.com/tv-schedule/

Fraggles played Cecilia again tonight! Love the solo that the bass player does on his whistle! Games are great and Wonderland soon! Can't wait!

I see that the Women play at 1:30 on TSN tomorrow. When do the men play?

at 6:30 p.m. on TSN 2