what's the ground capacity going to be guys? Looking good.

Around 18,500.

only around?? lol

what sort of crowds do saints fans expect to get in the new ground?

Around 18,500.

LOL. As if.

I reckon we'll average a nice 13,500 first season while everyone checks out my new pad (And it is mine, built for me specifically before anyone asks) then it'll settle around the 11,500 mark.

A lot depends on how servicable it is. Can you get away within 10-15 minutes post game or will it be a traffic nightmare lockin like the JJB used to be before everyone got used to it? Also, we will actually be any good as a team? If we were winning trophies again the crowds could rocket, but if we're settling into a top half side which could happen as we're losing 2 of our 3 best players again this year then it's hard to see where the enthusiasm would come from, kind of like Hull.

Well, I mean, what kind of question was it? Daft, that's what.


I think how many turn up in part depends upon whether Saints are actually willing to market their products - namely, Saints AND the stadium. Saints marketing was abysmal when we were in KR. The club needs to start treating the town as if it has never heard of rugby league and also needs to start putting pressure on the Council to recognise and promote what is the only good thing left in the place. Not that St Helens Council has a clue about such things. All it can think about is making stupid political points all the time.


It's not especially serviceable in that everyone will have to park in one multistorey car park but constructing the bridge over from the town centre should help as well as the crossing from the retail park. Being so close to town centre facilities should attract a more staggered arrival time, assuming Saints actually let everyone know that there are facilities nearby to, er, enjoy prior to wandering over to the stadium. But going home time will be a nightmare for away fans as everyone will be directed along the same route.


There is no reason to believe that Saints won't be at the top end of the league again next year. I think the club realise the importance of maintaining a good squad in a new stadium after years of having a good squad in a naff stadium.

The fact Saints have made one stand suggests to me that Saints aren't fully confident the Saints public will turn up to the fill the ground every week, but are confident of 11,000+ crowds and the rest of the ground with corporate bods to guarantee big crowds and big money.

What do you mean they've made one stand?

The South Stand is a corporate stand for the corporate bods. I'd anticipate Saints will be looking to sell that for business people as the prices suggest your average fan would look to the other stands.

I'm with you now. It'll be like Widnes, it will be next to empty all year but when we play Wigan it will be full. I hope Sky put the cameras on that stand so the viewing public don't have to watch a sea of plastic seats when we are on.

They have,tis shown on a few of the piccies.

The cameras are in the south stand, so it'll look full in two stands (West and North). The away stand will depend on who we're playing and if Saints fans turn up to fill the end. The South Stand will be the biggest struggle and whilst you'll get fans paying the cost for the South, Saints will target businesses for the big money. I'm sure Saints have got plenty of ideas and have spoken to businesses already in preparation for next season. This season is alot more difficult being at Widnes.

This is a very valid point. I went to a gig at the venue right next to the river in Liverpool and everyone has to park in the same multistorey there. When every car in the car park decides to leave at the same time it is a nightmare. We queued for over an hour just to get out of the car park. And that's a modern purpose built one, god help us in the ancient town centre car parks.

Wigan fans will have being leaving for 20mins before Saints fans get back to their cars!



In all seriousness the traffic survey was a massive part of the planning application but I am hoping the club have got their research right.

I can see it being a log jam at first while people find their favourite spots, but it is free parking after 3pm across the town centre with at least 3 big car parks free, there are dual carriageways, the majority of away fans are almost straight on the motorway home and lets face it Knowsley Road was hardly the best for parking either and it was tolerable.

Saying all that we have made the decision to only drive if weather is too severe to walk (25mins e/way)

Lots more parking spaces than Knowsley Rd as you say. A bit of forward planning and good communication and there shouldnt be a problem at all.

That's a bit harsh seeing as we've had a miles better average att than you despite us been pretty crap for years (despite a couple of hiccup decent years

) It always bemused me why you couldn't get fans in big numbers regularly when you were sweeping all before you. I really do hope the team gets the big jump in numbers they deserve as a near full stadium every home game is always a great sight.

We have a much smaller catchment area is probably the reason.

It's coming on great. Just out of interest: is the away end seating or standing, and how many will it hold?

Standing at the end capacity about 3800

Small amount of seating in "the away end" of both sides, I think. Not sure how many that would add possibly another 700?

That should be more than enough for everyone (except Hull KR obviously), the away end will only sell out 2/3 times all season (Wigan/Wire) but the home end with a similar capacity is likely to come close to selling out with season tickets and will almost certainly sell out for most games, so I imagine Saints will release tickets to home fans wanting to stand there too.

On the issue RE traffic. For games such as Wigan, it is near next to the station.

For the locals, I expect some sort of incentive to use the buses, as this was a major factor in the club wanting such a prominent town centre spot.

As a Wigan fan, im extremely jealous and wish we had a stadium like this, it looks awesome, a new look stadium with an RL feel to it with the terracing. Well done Saints, I cant wait to go.

Looking quality! Facilities will be right up there with Hudds, KC and our place. Will probably be better to visit due to the standing areas. Can't wait.

However The Galpharm, The KC and DW stadia were originally built with football in mind, rather than RL, hence the all seater status of those grounds

Looking great, obviously well thought out, wonder who the first game will be against ? (hope its us, would be a brilliant atmosphere), a credit to all concerned.