Winnipeg Grey Cup seating capacity among lowest since 1970s

The 103rd Grey Cup, hosted in Winnipeg, is losing seating capacity after a decision was made to use the north end of the field as the location for the pre-game and half-game entertainment, instead of the promised temporary seating.

• Winnipeg to host 2015 Grey Cup

In March,Winnipeg Blue Bomber CEO Wade Miller said the seating capacity ofInvestors Group Field would grow to 41,000 from 33,000, with temporary seats in both end zones. With the elimination of the north-end temporary seating, capacity for the event will be36,634.

Seats in the north-end sectionwere being sold for $175 each, which means the seat reduction will result in a potentialrevenue loss of more than half a million dollars.

Historical seating capacity for the Grey Cupis typically between 45,000 and 60,000. If the2015 Grey Cup is played in front of a sold-out crowd, it will stillbe the lowest attendance on record since the mid-1970s, with the exception of the 1998 Grey Cup also played in Winnipeg, in front of 34,157 fans.

Friday, theWinnipeg Football Club announced in a press release that the event was70 per centsold out, with25,576 tickets sold.