Attendance has been falling for years.
Kids these days simply do not want to go to the circus or run away with the circus.
They really didn't do much to bring themselves into the 21st century. When I was a kid in the 70's my parents took me every year. The animals and clowns were my least favorite parts. I liked the high wire acts and the motorcycle in the globe. If they has turned it into more of a stunt show like that, with an XGames vibe, maybe they could have done better. Or maybe not. Some things just naturally fade away with the times.