Colorado's Spring Game Attendance Under Deion Sanders Takes Another Hit

Deion Sanders' arrival at the University of Colorado sparked a lot of buzz for the football program. The former NFL star turned college football head coach brought attention and hype to the Buffaloes. In Year 1, close to 50,000 fans attended the spring game. But, fast forward to Year 4, and that ...

by Andrew Holleran

Apr 13, 2026

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Deion Sanders' arrival at the University of Colorado sparked a lot of buzz for the football program.

The former NFL star turned college football head coach brought attention and hype to the Buffaloes. In Year 1, close to 50,000 fans attended the spring game. But, fast forward to Year 4, and that attendance number is dropping fast.

Colorado's spring game crowd numbers by year:

2023: 47,277
2024: 28,424
2025: 20,430
2026: 17,500

Spring games are becoming less and less popular across all of college football. But, the attendance number drops at Colorado are at least showing that there's less and less hype surrounding Coach Prime.

Apr 19, 2025; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders during the spring game at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Sean Keeler of the Denver Post spoke to some students about the hype surrounding the program.

“We’re not anything new and shiny anymore,” CU sophomore Elizabeth Stephan told Keeler. “We’re just kind of a mediocre team that somehow still makes headlines because of our coach.”

Colorado had a big season two years ago, thanks to Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter and star quarterback Shedeur Sanders. However, last year, Colorado went 3-9.