The US Open tennis championships start next week from New York. It's the final tennis grand slam of the year. The crowd at Flushing Meadows is unbelievable, the atmosphere is electric. It actually got me thinking about the atmosphere at different sporting event. I've made the following observations re: crowds that I've seen in recent times.
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First things first - Broncos crowds at Suncorp Stadium are way too quiet. It seems most a content to sit back, enjoy a game of football and cheer for a try. While the numbers are great at Broncos games I think the crowd could make a lot more noise. Particularly when the opposition is on the attack.
Pound-for-pound or mouth-for-mouth the best atmosphere can come from local grounds. The Chook Pen at Wynnum Manly can make a heap of noise. Last weekend they were there in great numbers cheering on the Seagulls in the Intrust Super Cup.
The atmosphere at Brisbane Lions games these days has changed, although I think in the years to come when the sides starts to have success the crowd will grow and the Gabba will buzz once more. Quite often these days it seems the away crowd has most of the support, particularly if Collingwood, Essondon, Richmond or Carlton are in town.
The same can be said for the Gold Coast Titans in the NRL. Whenever they play teams like the Warriors, Dragons or Souths you can be mistaken for thinking you're at a away game for the Titans.
I'm all for a genuine atmosphere where the crowd makes the noise and not a song or over the top ground announcer. Check out competitions like the EPL and look at the way the fans support their teams. The Atmosphere is electric and that's without 'We will Rock You' being played over the PA system.
Just going back to tennis with the US Open getting underway. Do you think the time has come for fans to be allowed to yell and cheer during points? It's an interesting debate. I can see it happening, it won't be for a while though.
I don't think it will put the players off too much afterall not much is louder than the constant noise you experience in a Sharapova v Azarenka match!
What's the best atmosphere you've come across either in Brisbane or around the world?
One things for certain, in my opinion, nothing beats being live at a major sporting event. So if you haven't been out for a while, do yourself a favour and head out to see one of our teams in action, I'm sure you won't be disappointed.
