Low Attendance For USC’s Home Opener Raises Questions About Fan Engagement

For USC football fans, showing up to support a blue-blood program seems to require a specific temperature.

The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum saw lower attendance numbers during USC’s Week 0 win over San Jose State, raising questions about fan turnout and program engagement to start the season. 

Addressing the turnout, Joel Klatt acknowledged that while USC remains widely recognized as a blue-blood program, attendance for Los Angeles-based teams differs from other traditional college football powerhouses on Monday’s edition of the Joel Klatt Show.

“Is USC a blue blood? Absolutely. At most other blue bloods, does it matter who they play or win to fill the stadium? No. Does it matter for USC? Yeah, it sure does,” Klatt said. “Over 90 is too hot. A low 56 is too cold. That’s just what it is.”

Klatt explained that weather conditions in Los Angeles play a significant role in fan decisions, noting how high heat inside the stadium creates difficult viewing environments for local spectators.

“Over 90 in the Coliseum with some humidity might as well be 130. People in Los Angeles are just not going to deal with that,” Klatt said. “It rains here and it’s like Armageddon on the freeways. It’s not like other places. Why? Because 350 days a year it’s perfect.”

Temperatures at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum reached 94 degrees at kickoff during USC’s season opener against San Jose State. (Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

Despite empty seats in the stands, Klatt emphasized that turnout for a Week 0 game against an unranked non-conference opponent does not reflect a lack of backing for the program. USC recently secured the top recruiting class in the country while making major financial investments in new football facilities.

“I also don’t believe that it’s indicative of the support that this organization, this program has,” Klatt said. “Remember, they just signed the No. 1 recruiting class in the country. They also just built a football building that took massive investment from a financial perspective. They, financially, are fine now.”

Klatt added that public interest in the Trojans remains consistently high across Southern California based on his interactions throughout the area.

“The crowd was not indicative of what I’m experiencing when I’m just out in the community out here in Southern California, week zero over 90,” Klatt said. “Do I think it’s indicative of the support or the excitement around USC? No, I don’t.”

Klatt pointed out the difference between Los Angeles fans and traditional college football fanbases across the country that fill stadiums regardless of environmental factors.

“I’m not defending the L.A. sports fan. It’s a fair weather sports fan. Period,” Klatt said. “And I’m going to give you your flowers out there, all of you college football fans that show up regardless. Good for you, and continue to do so.”

USC hosts Fresno State at the Coliseum on Friday, Sept. 4.