Big Ten Football Looking for Record Attendance in ’86

The Big Ten, which has led the nation in college football attendance every year since records began being kept in 1957, appears ready to set another national attendance record if 1986 preseason ticket sales are any indication.

A league survey of conference ticket managers shows that at least 502,000 season tickets to Big Ten football games had been sold as of Aug. 15.

Michigan, which has won 12 straight national attendance championships, has sold 93,000 season tickets and is virtually assured of extending its 100,000-plus crowds streak past its current figure of 66.

Ohio State, third nationally in 1985 attendance, has 70,000 sales already. Iowa is next with 62,000 followed by Illinois at 60,000.

“This once again shows that Big Ten football is America’s most popular spectator sport,” Big Ten commissioner Wayne Duke said. “Our average attendance year-in and year-out far exceeds that of any professional sport, and will be displayed once again in 1986.”

The Big Ten drew over four million people for the first season ever last year, an average of 67,503 for each of 60 home games and the third straight year the conference averaged over 67,000 per game.

Twenty games are already announced as sellouts, eight more than last year at this time. Michigan, Iowa and Ohio State will likely sell-out their season. Illinois’ game against Nebraska is sold out as are Wisconsin’s game against Michigan and Illinois. Minnesota’s season-ending contest against Iowa will likely sell out as well.

Big Ten stadiums were filled to 93.9% capacity in 1985.