Locally, I think Football takes the crown. State-wide I feel it is Basketball without a doubt. And the reasons for this have already been stated. HS football games are during some of the best weather of the year, it is one night a week (Friday night at that), it is the only thing going on in the community so why wouldn't people come out and watch?

 

Even where I grew up, our football team was never good and the stands were packed every single week. Which is mind blowing to me because my high school was really bad at football and people still came out and watched the games.

 

Football is also helped by it being on Friday nights because HS students see it as a social event and time to see friends so they come out and watch the games and chit-chat with people.

 

But what I think we are forgetting is the size and amount of people that Texas holds. It is far and beyond that of the population of Kentucky, so with more people, they will have bigger stadiums, more athletes, more good players, etc. Making it more appealing for people to go out and watch games.

20,000+ go to Rupp in March to watch a game. If it's not T v. X, you won't see 20,000+ in December at WKU or Papa Johns.

 

Apples and tomatoes. The state bball tournament is as much an "event" as it is a basketball game, which just being the big event it is draws people. It is much more centrally located being in Lexington, it's an indoor event where you are nice and comfy compared to an outdoor event where much of the state would have to travel quite a distance for the possibility to sit in bad weather, probably cold and watch a game. Even the biggest hs football fan from, lets say Lexington may not make the trip to WKY to watch a football game if he doesn't have a team playing. The run of the mill bball fan from Somerset might make the trip to Rupp just to see what the fuss is about or to say he was at the state tournament. I don't think you can use this as an example. Just my opinion.