Missouri's Eli Drinkwitz's Strong Message to Fans: 'We Need to Sell Out' Season Opener

The Missouri Tigers head coach had a passionate urge for fans to sell out Missouri's 2024 season opener.

Joey Van Zummeren | Aug 20, 2024

Nov 18, 2023; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz reacts to play against the Florida Gators during the first half at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports / Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

In this story:

Missouri Tigers

COLUMBIA, Mo. — Missouri Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz has the same goal for the team's fan as he does for the players: go 1-0 with ticket sell outs.

Missouri has highly anticipated matchups at home late in the season, including a Nov. 9 date with Oklahoma. But, as of Tuesday morning, plenty of tickets still remain for Missouri's home opener against Murray State on Thursday, August 29.

"Our challenge is we need to sell out the first game. We're a top 11 program in the country coming off a Cotton Bowl win. In my opinion, if we don't sell out first game, that shows me that we're not where we want to be as a fan base yet."

A map of available tickets on Ticketmaster as of 1 p.m. on Tuesday, August 20, for the Missouri Tigers' season opener against the Murray State Racers on Thursday August 29, 2024. Purple seats indicate resale tickets. / TIcketmaster

Missouri finished the 2023 season with a streak of five straight home games being sold out. The team has sold out of reserved season tickets for the 2024 season but the single-game allotment has only sold out for two games — vs. Oklahoma and vs. Auburn on Homecoming.

"Don't sit on the sidelines waiting, 'well, it's gotta be this game.' No it doesn't. Come watch this team. Come be excited about this team and embrace this team."

Ahead of the season, Drinkwitz has emphasized to his players the importance of not looking too far ahead on the schedule. Every game, even if not with a caliber opponent, is an important one.

"The same challenge I have for my players, let's have a '1-0' mindset. Let's try to be a 1-0 team. A 1-0 fanbase. Don't get excited about the game in November after the bye week. I don't know what that game is going to look like. I know next week versus Murray State is the most important game we have."

Drinkwitz hopes a sell out would not only show the fan support to the players but also puts the Missouri fanbase on a national stage.

"We need to sell out because we need to show the rest of the country that we're serious about the program."

Watch Drinkwitz's full press conference in the video player below.

Read more Missouri Tigers news: