published20. September 2022, 04:21
Big fan pollSurprised? – This is the most popular ice hockey club in Switzerland
Just in time for the start of the season, 20 minutes and the ZHAW felt the pulse of ice hockey fans. The results should certainly cause astonishment.
All in all, the best: HC Davos.
Martin Meienberger/freshfocus
Basically, people at Meister Zug are very satisfied.
Patrick Straub/freshfocus
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Since last week, NL ice hockey has been played once more in the Swiss arenas.
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On this occasion we wanted to know from the fans how satisfied they are with the clubs.
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The big ones don’t necessarily do well, but the smaller ones do.
Since last week, the puck has been whizzing across Swiss ice once more. While thousands of Swiss hockey fans are once once more making the pilgrimage to the country’s arenas, 20 Minuten, in cooperation with the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), is answering the following question: How satisfied are the ice hockey fans?
A total of 2079 respondents rated the performance of the clubs in a total of 13 categories on a scale of 1-5. In principle, one can speak of satisfied spectators: The average of all clubs across all divisions is a proud 3.90. Across each category, the 14 National League teams scored highest in safety (4.21). There is most room for improvement in gastronomy and service (3.64).
HCD is best in class
Servette (3.16) has the worst rating for gastronomy and services. In general, the Genevans take last place across all leagues with an average of 3.61. The “Grenats” also hold the red lantern in the areas of digitization (3.35), security (3.91) and stadium (3.24). Very close behind and with an overall average of 3.36 is HC Lugano. The Ticinese were ranked worst in entertainment (3.57), memorabilia (3.75), fan cooperation (3.33) and club management (3.71).
At the other end of the spectrum is HC Davos (4.11), who lead the league ahead of Rapperswil-Jona (4.06), EV Zug (4.03) and SCL Tigers (4.01). “Our survey makes it clear once once more that the clubs with the largest budgets do not automatically have the happiest fans,” comments Dr. Marcel Hüttermann, lecturer at the ZHAW School of Management and Law.
Clubs can also achieve fan satisfaction without large budgets. “Namely, by knowing their needs and trying to fulfill them,” says Hüttermann, “kudos to HCD and the Lakers.” What should also come as a surprise: No club is rated better in the area of club management than promoted Kloten.
The master has a ticket problem
And what regarding the heavyweights? Champion EVZ was awarded good values for most of the divisions. In terms of security (4.47), digitization (3.92) and communication (4.16), for example, the Central Swiss are top. Only: The ticketing of the defending champion is the worst in the league (3.41). “The introduction of dynamic pricing, i.e. the adjustment of ticket prices depending on the opponent, may have been revolutionary,” explains Hüttermann, “but the fact that the fans don’t take it well can be seen from the rating.
The ZSC Lions were only seventh (3.96). However, this is likely to change in the coming season and the new home in the Swiss Life Arena. “The Lions have great potential in the areas of tickets, gastronomy and atmosphere,” says Hüttermann. And: The people of Zurich are not number 1 in any category among the fans. Will they at least be sporty with a new stadium and noble squad? The season will tell.
