Soaring Down South
Fansided

Atlanta Hawks Saw Major Attendance Bump in’19-’20

By Dallin Duffy

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 05: Fans hold up foam hands during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards at Philips Arena on May 5, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - MAY 05: Fans hold up foam hands during Game Two of the Eastern Conference Semifinals of the 2015 NBA Playoffs between the Atlanta Hawks and the Washington Wizards at Philips Arena on May 5, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Looking at the Atlanta Hawks’ attendance numbers this season.

The Atlanta Hawks finished their COVID-shortened season with a 20-47 record, the league’s fourth-worst record. Despite this, the Hawks saw their best attendance numbers in several years.

The newly renovated State Farm Arena saw an average of 16,042 fans per night, their highest number since the team last made the playoffs in 2016-2017. In just 33 games, the Hawks totaled 545,453 guests, ranking 20th in the league.

That rank of 20th is the team’s highest since the 60-win ’14-’15 season when they finished 17th in the league and a far cry from the ’18-’19 season that finished dead last. Notably, they finished above seven teams this year that will be playing in the Orlando bubble in July.

The bump has a few likely explanations. First, the team was just more exciting than in recent seasons, despite the lack of wins. Trae Young is one of the most electrifying young players in the league, and fans came to watch him as well as other young studs like John Collins, Cam Reddish, and Kevin Huerter.

Second, the Atlanta Hawks and State Farm Arena were ranked number one in “Game Experience” across the entire NBA last season, with the word spreading of the handful of changes made to the arena. That could have very easily persuaded more fans to check or a game or two.

And while it did not happen, the Hawks were seen by some as playoff contenders before the season began. Whether or not it was realistic, games early on in the season were packed to see the Hawks play, hopefully starting a season that would break their mini playoff drought.

Overall it’s nice to see the Atlanta Hawks climbing the attendance latter again a few seasons of being near the bottom. They ranked 20th in a year wherein they were not very successful, which leads you to wonder how high they can go if they do compete for a post-season spot next year.

dark. Next. It's Not a debate: Trae Young is a superstar