[JMV Just My View]

Yes, they do. I owned a Mexican restaurant. Some people go in, eat entire meals, and leave without paying. Instead of thinking about all the people that would end up in the game, you choose to focus on the people that stay at the spot. You have the same mentality as the university.

My point is that we are in August 2026, and nothing should be free. Especially anything to do with college athletics.

[crazycajun]

My point is that we are in August 2026, and nothing should be free. Especially anything to do with college athletics.

That model is working fantastically so far.

[Turbine]

My point is that we are in August 2026, and nothing should be free. Especially anything to do with college athletics.

I heard some 2026 car dealers let you test drive a car for free.

[Swamp]

The reflexive response to any of this seems to be "everyone just wants free tailgating, free parking, free entry, free food." If you're genuinely interested in our Program, we're the ones who'll pay no matter what. A reduction in cost will always be a popular option but proves my point - cost is king.

Tailgating has long been one of CF's most valuable assets. It's the first thing anyone asks about, whether they're at the game, or simply driving by: "How's the turnout? Is tailgating solid?" Too often lately, the honest answer is "nah, thin af." Tailgating is an event in its own right. Two hours before kickoff, nobody's thinking about the score [we are], there isn't one yet. A full lot draws more people. Even when the local bars are packed because the matchup looks unappealing on paper, a strong showing at CF is what shifts that mindset. More souls on Louisiana grass, posting about turnout.

It's also worth noting how far the facility itself has come. Getting food and drink now takes 20-30 seconds: a hot Cajun Philly cheesesteak, freshly wrapped in a fancy sandwich basket, straight out of a heated environment behind a glass door (think "Hail Mary"). You then self-checkout. Staff are stationed at checkout to handle ID verification or resolve any issue with the machines, and in practice, issues rarely come up. One more thing, every damn beer you can think of is in 16oz cans in glass door coolers ready for you to open the door. Beer in hand, literally in seconds.

Charging a premium for tailgating locations is nothing new; a great spot has always come at a price. But requiring a flat $20 to park in a lot that's only 40-50% full is harder to justify. Removing that barrier would fill those spots vs parking all over creation and directly reduce the "how many people are out there?" narrative. Spaces with a clear line of sight from Bertrand and Congress would fill fastest and move inward, converging on die hard territory. This is a shift in perception through the #1 marketing tool of all time: word of mouth (this includes texts, message board posts, phone calls and people at local bars (whose parking lots are full of Cajuns fans).

Additionally, the Ole Miss Grove concept addresses this on two fronts: it introduces shaded tailgating spots that can be sold as a premium upgrade, and, more importantly, it reduces the overall footprint. A smaller footprint fills more completely, which reduces [only a % reduction] the never ending "how many people are out there squawk." In this case, less space is genuinely an improvement.

Only ideas, potential improvements, measurable gains to souls physically closer to CF are stated here.

[CajunRed]

So let them in the tailgating for free and then when the game starts they leave or they watch the tsab game at the tailgate spot. Great idea.

Yep

[JMV Just My View]

That model is working fantastically so far.

Free isn't the answer. A different vision is the answer. Maybe the new AD will have that vision.

[Swamp]

Just saw three home games parking passes have gone up in price by 25%. $25 to park in..... wait for it.... the parking lot of Cajun Field. Ever look at the amount of vehicles parked outside the Tigue? Yep, not much less than CF Gameday.

[Swamp]

Free isn't the answer. A different vision is the answer. Maybe the new AD will have that vision.

I'm still waiting to hear a suggestion, instead of completely missing the mark and suggesting everyone wants Free, Free!

[JMV Just My View]

I'm still waiting to hear a suggestion, instead of completely missing the mark and suggesting everyone wants Free, Free!

Hopefully the new AD has suggestions. This site has listed plenty of suggestions that nobody at MH listened to. You want a suggestion maybe promotional specials on concessions and ticket packages. Free isn't the answer, maybe a reduced price is better. It really doesn't matter unless they fix a ton of stuff.

[Turbine]

Idea ...

"AFTER" sold out prime tailgating..... area can be expanded as the season progresses

Game Ticket (in hand) at entrance to Cajun Basin gets you parking in non tailgating area... First come first serve.

Up to two hours in advance of game ... Game Tickets (in hand) matching the number of people in car (four or more) gets you secondary after prime tailgating... (if so desired) No weekly set location.

Nothing is free.

[Turbine]

Just saw three home games parking passes have gone up in price by 25%. $25 to park in..... wait for it.... the parking lot of Cajun Field. Ever look at the amount of vehicles parked outside the Tigue? Yep, not much less than CF Gameday.

No concept of how to grow the base.

Even less grasp on supply and demand facits.

[JMV Just My View]

Yes, they do. I owned a Mexican restaurant. Some people go in and eat entire meals and leave without paying. Instead of thinking about all the people that would end up in the game, you choose to focus on the people that stay at the spot. You have the same mentality as the university.

Maybe the chips and salsa weren't good, so they figured the food wouldn't be good and left? Maybe the service was bad before ordering? Maybe the chips and salsa are worked into the food cost and spread out over the entire menu?

[Turbine]

Maybe the chips and salsa weren't good, so they figured the food wouldn't be good and left? Maybe the service was bad before ordering? Maybe the chips and salsa are worked into the food cost and spread out over the entire menu?

Maybe you are grasping at straws.

Businesses give stuff away all the time and for one reason.

They want to change behavior.

People will go to Olive Garden even when it wasn't their initial thought.

Free bread and salad changes behavior.

[Louisiana84]

Free isn't the answer. A different vision is the answer. Maybe the new AD will have that vision.

FREE is the answer. It creates a party, or at least it used to until greed set in. You can keep posting your lame response that free isn't the answer, but until you come up with a solution that worked the way free used to at the tailgate, you're just being wrong again. You have an answer?

[JMV Just My View]

FREE is the answer. It creates a party, or at least it used to until greed set in. You can keep posting your lame response that free isn't the answer, but until you come up with a solution that worked the way free used to at the tailgate, you're just being wrong again. You have an answer?

Even when they let everyone in for free, and tailgating is free, Cajun Field still will not sell out. If you want everything for free, why have NIL, sports-specific funds, fundraisers, or season tickets? Brooks and Dunn is coming to the Cajun Dome; I shouldn't have to pay for tickets, parking, or food? You guys want to be big time but aren't willing to pay the price.