“Where are the fans?” A question from Wayne Holden sparks a deeper look at sagging attendance at Michigan high school basketball games

That was the question Wayne Holden typed into the comments under a recent Facebook score update. “Where are all the fans?” The remark was met with likes and replies from parents, students, and former players who have noticed the same thing. Attendance is down and packed bleachers seem rarer than they used to be at local high school basketball games.

Holden’s concern reflects a genuine trend observed by many communities across Michigan. Even though high school basketball remains one of the most cherished local sports, it does not always translate to full stands during regular season games.

A memory from a packed gym

I still remember my first Montague-Whitehall basketball game. We, the Wildcats, were not very good, Whitehall was and we were going to likely lose by a large margin. But none of that mattered, the atmosphere was electric in a way that is difficult to describe unless you lived it.

Walking out of the locker room and onto the court was not a simple transition. The gym was so full that there was no clear path to the floor. Standing room only spectators packed every available space, shoulder to shoulder, filling the baseline, the corners, and the walkways. We had to physically push our way through the crowd just to reach the court and begin warming up.

Every square inch of the gym that could hold a person was occupied. Fans were pressed against the walls, lined along railings, and perched anywhere they were allowed to stand. The noise was constant, the energy unmistakable.

Participation is strong, but crowds are inconsistent

High school athletics in Michigan remain healthy when it comes to student involvement. According to the Michigan High School Athletic Association, total athlete participation in MHSAA sponsored sports has reached one of its highest levels in recent years, even as overall school enrollment has declined. More students are playing sports, including basketball, than many realize.
https://www.mhsaa.com/media/press-releases/mhsaa-member-high-schools-report-highest-participation-2018-19

Look at the images below. One is from the recent Montague-Whitehall game and the other is from the 1989-90 Montague-Whitehall game. While the gym size is a contributing factor it cannot be denied that the 89-90 game drew far more attendees.

However, participation on the court has not resulted in consistently strong attendance in the stands. While MHSAA postseason tournaments attract over 1.4 million spectators annually, a six year high, regular season games often feel sparsely attended by comparison.
https://www.mhsaa.com/topics/mhsaa-news/mhsaa-tournament-attendance-reaches-6-year-high-topping-14-million-spectators

Changing fan behavior plays a role

Sports consumption habits have changed dramatically over the last two decades. The MHSAA has acknowledged that television, streaming platforms, and on demand content compete heavily with live attendance. Fans can watch college and professional basketball every night without leaving home, which can make attending a local high school game feel less urgent.
https://www.mhsaa.com/topics/blog-director/attendance-trends

Research into fan attendance behavior also shows that spectators are more likely to attend games they perceive as competitive or exciting. Blowouts, rebuilding seasons, or unfamiliar rosters can reduce perceived value, even at the community level.
https://www.library.hbs.edu/working-knowledge/what-actually-draws-sports-fans-to-games-not-star-athletes

Time pressures on families and students

Modern families face increasing demands on their time. Homework, work schedules, youth sports travel, and extracurricular commitments often conflict with weeknight games. National youth sports research confirms that time constraints significantly impact both participation and attendance.
https://projectplay.org/youth-sports/facts/participation-rates

For students, social life and academic pressures can limit attendance as well. Without strong traditions such as organized student sections or pep initiatives, basketball games may fall lower on their priority list.

School culture matters

Schools with active student sections, pep bands, and visible school spirit tend to generate stronger attendance and better atmospheres. Student sections have long been recognized as a catalyst for crowd energy, but they require intentional support from school leadership and student organizations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Student_section

Football often benefits from built in traditions like homecoming, tailgates, and community rituals. Basketball does not always receive the same structural support, even though it offers more home games and easier access for families.

Rebuilding the gym atmosphere

Across Michigan and the country, schools are experimenting with ways to bring fans back. Theme nights, youth basketball nights, social media promotion, and family ticket packages are among the strategies being used. The MHSAA continues to study attendance trends and encourage schools to improve the game day experience.
https://www.mhsaa.com/topics/blog-director/attendance-trends

Closing the gap

Michigan high school basketball still holds deep meaning in its communities. Wayne Holden’s simple question captured what many have been quietly noticing. Passion for the sport remains strong, but presence in the bleachers is no longer guaranteed. Understanding the reasons fans stay home is the first step toward restoring the lively gym atmospheres that players, coaches, and communities remember and value.

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