A Model of Attendance Demand at the Brazilian Football League

Abstract

This paper aims to analyze and identify variables that influence public attendance at football matches in Brazil. Deriving a demand curve for public attendance at football stadiums in the Brazilian Football League from 2003 through 2006, this paper highlights four main explicative variables: stadium infrastructure, team performance, expected quality, and uncertainty. Data were drawn from over 1,800 matches and the econometric models uses OLS regressions and panel data form. The study analyzes fixed and random effects models in an attempt to identify the most efficient model. The results reflect a series of variables that influence attendance, particularly ticket price, local derbies, the hometown of the visiting team (Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo), recent performance, risk of relegation, and the role of promotional strategies in distributing tickets.