College Football Faces Challenges with Conference Realignment
College football fans may have to readjust their travel plans in the coming years as conference realignment shakes up the landscape of the sport. With major teams like Southern Cal, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington moving to the Big Ten, and Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah joining the Big 12, the distances between rival teams are set to increase significantly. The most notable move is Oklahoma and Texas heading to the Southeastern Conference.
For diehard fans like Terry Keenan, who has been following West Virginia football for seven decades, conference realignment poses a challenge. Keenan, along with many other fans, is concerned about the increased distance and travel time required to attend games. For example, a trip between Oregon and Rutgers would be over 2,400 air miles, necessitating a stopover and taking at least 7.5 hours if everything goes smoothly.
While some regional rivalries have been established or preserved, the norm going forward will be longer trips for fans. This shift could potentially impact attendance and the overall experience for traveling fans. The burden of cost, time, and logistics may discourage many fans from making the effort to see their teams play in person.
The potential impact of conference realignment on the traveling fan remains to be seen. Some fans, like Roy Nwaisser, who has attended every USC game since 1992, are concerned about the increased possibility of missing a game and breaking their attendance streaks. However, there are still fans like Paul Volpe, who looks forward to exploring new venues and experiencing the atmosphere of different stadiums.
There are various factors to consider when assessing the willingness of fans to travel long distances for games. In addition to the increased time and cost, fans must also contend with potential travel delays, unfavorable weather conditions, the quality of the opponent, and the overall appeal of the destination itself.
According to experts in sports rivalries, the initial years of conference realignment may see a novelty effect where fans are excited about the new matchups and opportunities for travel. However, it remains to be seen whether fans will continue to make long-distance trips to support their teams as the novelty wears off. The diehard fans will likely remain committed, but the casual and less devoted fans may not be as willing to make the effort.
The financial aspect of long-distance travel for games is also a consideration. While domestic leisure travel is expected to remain strong in the coming years, hotel rates have been rising steadily, which could present an additional financial challenge for fans.
Despite the challenges, there are fans like Marie Robbins, an Arizona State supporter, who are excited about the new opportunities that conference realignment brings. For Robbins, being able to return to her roots and visit places she has lived before adds an extra layer of excitement to the new conference matchups.
In conclusion, conference realignment in college football presents challenges for traveling fans. The increased distances and travel times may impact attendance and the overall experience for fans. While diehard fans will likely continue to make the effort to support their teams, casual fans may be deterred by the logistical and financial burdens. The long-term impact of conference realignment on fan attendance remains uncertain, but the initial years may see a surge in excitement and interest.
