Each week, we check in with our readers on social media and e-mail to see what’s on top of their mind, explore the hot topics of conversation and answer hard-hitting questions about the Edmonton Elks. And with the team at the top of the standings after their first 3-0 start in forever, there really is just one burning question: Why are the stands so empty?
A Reader from Italy Asks
Dear Gerry: I was born in Edmonton but I moved to Italy at the age of seven (I’m 53 now). Despite the fact of living in Italy, I always kept a strong connection with the city of Edmonton, with Canada obviously and the Edmonton Eskimos. (I’m sorry, but I just can’t call them Elks!) What I would like to ask you is why, according to your opinion, Commonwealth Stadium is always almost empty when Edmonton plays at home. I understand that the team comes from not successful seasons and when you don’t win, the fans begin to get colder and colder. But the attendance in other stadiums always seems to be much higher than in Edmonton, also referring to other teams not performing that well just as Edmonton is doing. So, I was wondering if further reasons are keeping the fans away from the stadium: Are the tickets too expensive? Hockey tickets are much more expensive and the Oilers games are always sold out. If you don’t mind, I would like to know your opinion. Thank you for your kind attention and, as always, GO ESKIMOS! — Pietro Saputo (Rome, Italy)
The Fall of Commonwealth Stadium
Great question, Pietro. And, boy, do I have a doozie of a story to tell you. So why don’t you grab yourself a caffè, sit back and I will catch you up with what’s been happening on this side of the world with your beloved double-E. Sure, you have the Colosseum there. The once-beating heart right in the centre of Rome. Twenty-two hundred years have passed since it was last hosted spectators for some of the grandest spectacles on the planet. The fall of Commonwealth Stadium happened much, much faster. The last time it hosted to capacity for a regular-season Canadian League Football game was Sept. 26, 2009, which just so happened to be my first full year covering the team. Of course, the record-setting 62,517 in the stands were made up of Saskatchewan Roughriders fans as those cheering for the home side. But still, full is full. And we will never see that again. Even if the Elks decided to reopen the upper bowl, a renovation saw the size of the seats increase but the number of seats shrink to 56,302. The lower bowl holds 31,025 and, to their credit, the Elks have come close to hitting that number.
Recent On-Field Improvement
Back when general manager and head coach Chris Jones was fired following an 0-5 start to the 2024 season, the club regrouped under interim head coach and offensive co-ordinator Jarious Jackson and assistant GM Geroy Simon to stop the bleeding at 0-7 and push their way to a 5-1 stretch, coming oh-so close to capturing what would have been their first playoff berth since 2019. Interference from the business side of the operation caused an internal quarterback controversy that ended up cancelling all of their forward momentum, but that’s a topic for another time. The point is, the team started winning and people started paying attention. Butts were beginning to be reunited with seats.
Why Attendance Remains Low
Despite the recent success, attendance has not rebounded to levels seen in other CFL markets. Several factors may be at play: the lingering impact of years of losing, the team's rebranding from Eskimos to Elks (which alienated some long-time fans), and competition from the Edmonton Oilers, who consistently sell out Rogers Place despite higher ticket prices. The Elks' front office has also faced criticism for internal turmoil and a lack of consistent marketing. As Pietro notes, other struggling teams still draw better crowds, suggesting deeper issues beyond on-field performance. The team's 3-0 start in 2026 is a positive sign, but winning alone may not be enough to fill Commonwealth Stadium.
