perhaps the average player is no longer willing to dig so deep in his pocket for these events when there are loads of good tournaments on there home soil at reasonable prices.
I think you'll find that no domestic touneys (excepting Campaign) get anywhere near the buzz and facilities that a well run Millennium tourney offers up and it's well worth the extra money, especially if you are a serious baller.
If you just wanna fanny around, then cool, stay at home but if you wanna feel a real paintball rush, then get yer ass to a Millennium..it's where it's at...well except in Madrid