While the team is coming off of a solid season at the gates, the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC are looking to improve in future seasons.
The 2016 campaign–the Switchbacks’ second in the USL–saw more fans turn out to Switchbacks Stadium. The team’s per-game average attendance rose from 2,723 fans in 2015 to a mark of 3,152, allow it to finish 11th in attendance. (For comparison, the Charleston Battery’s average of 3,570 per games ranked as the league’s 10th best mark.)
That certainly provides the Switchbacks a boost going forward, but the team is still considering its options when it comes to a stadium. Switchbacks Stadium was renovated before the team’s arrival–and received more upgrades before the 2016 season–but has been viewed by the Switchbacks as a temporary solution.
The Switchbacks are still on record as wanting a new facility, but are also looking for ways to boost revenue in the interim. More from The Gazette:
But, the team needs 4,000-plus a game to be profitable – a rarity in the USL. An influx of sponsorships last offseason was a significant help, team president Nick Ragain said.
“We need the place to be as full as possible,” he said. “We feel with the size of the community and the success we’ve had, we can be top five or six.”
The organization plans new family and business networking sections and an expanded military club. More game promotions, prizes and special events are likely and could bring more people to Switchbacks Stadium, which will seat 5,000 next season, as per USL rules.
Ragain said a downtown stadium would be a boon for the franchise with the additional seats and ability to host games and practices, and house physical rehabilitation and franchise operations in a centralized location.
Before the 2015 campaign, Switchbacks Stadium was given a round of upgrades that made it more viable as a professional facility–including the installation of 4,000 seats, a press box, and other essentials. An LED display and additional concourse improvements were added prior to the 2016 season.
Image courtesy Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC