Attendance at USC’s first two home football games dropped nearly 10% from last year despite the undefeated 3-0 start, according to Sports Illustrated. The dip came amid a series of warmer days with temperatures in the mid-80s. At this time last season, temperatures were in the 70s.
Brecken Cullinan, a sophomore studying law, history and culture, said many of her friends skipped the game against Georgia Southern University to avoid the heat.
“It’s not shaded at all,” Cullinan said. “The best seats are at the end zone sign or where the sun sets…the student section definitely has one of the toughest sections in the Coliseum.”
Because of the location and direction of the designated student sections — 123, 124 and 125 — there is no way for students to avoid the sun, and there’s no shade to shield them from its impacts.
“Compared to last year, the heat has definitely been more challenging, so we have been going after halftime when the heat dies down,” said Noelle Chakbazof, a sophomore human development and aging student.
“I go to pretty much every game and stay for as long as possible, and I genuinely like the games,” said Conor Mellon, a sophomore studying health promotion and disease prevention. “But this heat makes it pretty unbearable.”
Adding to the issue of the heat is the cost of bottled water at the venue. A receipt provided to Annenberg Media showed that a single bottle of water cost $9.88.
“When I’m tailgating all day, the last thing I want is to sit there baking in the sun for four more hours with no shade and no access to cheap water,” said Gigi Vadenbosch, a junior studying public relations.
Annenberg Media tried to reach out to the Coliseum for comments about concession price increases over the last two years, but received no response.
USC’s recent move to the BIG 10 may be a factor in these high costs, with BIG 10 stadiums on average holding the most expensive concessions amongst the Power Four conferences, according to Oddspedia. Additionally, the costs of food and drinks like hot dogs and soda have increased 6.6% and 5.6% respectively across the country since last year.
Sophomore industrial systems engineering student Stephen Hong, who went to most home games last year, blames the high cost of attendance for why he hasn’t gone to one this year.
“Tickets are overpriced for sure…and part of it is because if it’s too hot and I want to hydrate but the water is $9, it doesn’t make sense. It’s not good for typical students to go and have a good time,” Hong said.
According to the Coliseum, those attending events at the venue are allowed to bring up to two sealed 17-ounce water bottles per person. During official heat advisories, there is no limit on how much water can be brought into the stadium, and empty refillable water bottles are also allowed.
“I did not know that at all. I don’t think anyone really knows that,” said Elsie Posillico, a sophomore business administration student. Posillico added how it would encourage more students to go to the games, “We’ll save money not having to buy water at the game.”
Jack Stalford, a freshman political science student, said that most students either don’t know the rules or — like him — don’t think to bring their own.
“I always have to buy water because…it gets really hot,” Stalford said.
The heat wave will continue into this weekend, where the Trojans will play Michigan State at the Coliseum under a mostly sunny day with a high of 83 degrees Fahrenheit, according to The Weather Channel.