I would agree that the flawed Top 8 system is one of many reasons why attendances are down during the regular season this year. However, IMO the main reason why attendances are poor during the play-off games is that most fans are discounted season ticket holders and aren't prepared to pay full admission price via a ticket purchase or at the turnstiles on the day.

[uSL Play-Off Attendances[/u
[uYear - Attendances = Avg[/u
2006 - 61,546/5 = 12,309
2007 - 65,662/5 = 13,132
2008 - 49,752/5 = 9,950
----------------------------------
Top 8 introduced for 2009
----------------------------------
2009 - 68.995/8 = 8,624
2010 - 94,573/8 = 11,822
2011 - 76,544/8 = 9,568
2012 - 74,924/8 = 9,366


The point I'm going to make is that ticket offers are relevant in any discussion on why SL attendances are rising or falling. Earlier in this thread, some suggested attendances were down this season due to a lack of cheap ticket deals this season which is clearly not the case at all.

Attendances at 5 out of the 6 SL fixtures played so far in the current round are down compared to the same fixtures last season. Attendances at 83 out of 109 SL fixtures so far (not including Magic Weekend) are down compared to last season. Full update will be posted after tonight's SL fixture which completes the round.

People would rather discuss the games flaws with people who actually like the game and want it to succeed rather than bitter trolls who seemingly have nothing better to do, How often does William have any praise for the game?

Buy a Lions ticket and get a Farce ticket to their next game for $80, saving $38.

If Huddersfield's attendances have only fallen by 20% but season ticket prices have doubled then it could be argued that they have successfully managed to increase their core supporter base as a result of discounted season tickets in previous years.
When looking at attendances then it would be more valid if a break down was made between home and away supporters.
Another factor which should be born in mind is that when it comes to rugby league it is the same people going to games. The same supporters are expected to not only attend league games but then to fork out for challenge cup, exile and world cup games. Cricket, football and rugby union are more in the public eye and so don't rely on the same supporters having to buy tickets to all the various competitions. With this being a world cup year maybe this has impacted on people travelling to away games or even purchasing season tickets as they have purchased tickets for the world cup. I may not be the norm but I suspect others will be picking and choosing their games this season.

What does it matter? Is it compulsory to post praise for the game alongside whatever it is gets a bee in your bonnet? W. Eve has an issue with attendances and some opinions (I don't agree with most of them) about why they've been bad this year ( a 12% fall is bad ). People tend to have something they feel passionate about, and that's what they post about. It would be a very dull forum if all we read was benign comments about how much fun it is watching RL. How can anyone possibly think 'talking the game down' on this forum has the slightest effect on the game?

Some of us are concerned about a 12% fall. I know the history of Speedway attendances in the UK to know how quickly a sport can go from major to minor to insignificant. It bothers me. It doesn't bother others, who are confident everything is going to be fine. That's fine, you could be right, but don't confuse pessimism with wanting failure. The was a time when I could see the logic in wishing for some big screw-up so that we could see the back of Nigel Wood and his gang. But frankly, they're immune to anything - absolutely no failure shames them into resignation. So we have to keep plodding on with no proper sponsor, no clear brand, no obvious direction and uncharismatic leadership. It's difficult to be optimistic.

FWIW I think the RLWC will be pretty good. There are a few tournament risks - essentially half-full stadia on TV - but I think they've done decent work in planning to avoid that, certainly in comparison to some of the last ones. I don't have any confidence that we'll take advantage of the brief media attention though. An England win will go some way to extending the interest but that would be a bonus rather than down to the skill of the RFL.

In an ideal world, England win the RLWC, and we have a new charismatic, marketing-led (and marketing-expert) leadership team at the RFL right on the back of it, ready to maximize the benefits through into 2014. Wood can go with some respect, making the not-unreasonable claim that he saw the game through some challenges, but that it's now time for a new leader.

Postings are down 31.8% on here over the past 12 months.

[uSL Round 17 attendances - comparison to same fixtures last year[/u

Hull V Leeds in 2013 = 11,901
Hull V Leeds in 2012 = 11,677
% increase = +1.92%

London V Castleford in 2013 = 1,810
London V Castleford in 2012 = 2,381
% decrease = -23.98%

Hull KR V Bradford in 2013 = 7,259 =#FF0000**Friends for a fiver cheap ticket deal alert**
Hull KR V Bradford in 2012 = 7,486
% decrease = -3.03%

Warrington V Salford in 2013 = 9,560
Warrington V Salford in 2012 = 10,437
% decrease = -8.40%

Widnes V Catalan in 2013 = 4,560
Widnes V Catalan in 2012 = 4,684
% decrease = -2.65%

Wakefield V Wigan in 2013 = 8,459
Wakefield V Wigan in 2012 = 9,107
% decrease = -7.12%

Huddersfield V St Helens in 2013 =
Huddersfield V St Helens in 2012 = 9,194
% decrease = -43.41%

Total Attendance in SL Round 17 = 48,752
Total Attendance same fixtures last year = 54,966
% decrease = -11.31%

6 out of 7 fixtures in Round 17 have shown a decrease in attendance compared to the same SL fixtures last year.

**********************

Out of 110 fixtures played thus far in 2013 (not including magic weekend fixtures), 26 out of 110 have shown an increase in attendance compared to the corresponding SL fixtures last year. 84 out of 110 fixtures have shown a decrease in attendance compared to the corresponding SL fixtures last year.

Oww no how is any team going to make a profit with all this massive decrease in attendance. not bored of this yet? or still happy to try and provoke reactions from fans on here? If your seriously concerned have you not reported all this to the RFL they might be happy for you to provide your time in analyzing data for them.

[uRound 1 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 64,387 (Avg: 9,19icon_cool.gif
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 63,376 (Avg: 9,054)
% increase = +1.59%

[uRound 2 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 69,809 (Avg: 9,973)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 71,989 (Avg: 10,284)
% decrease = -3.03%

[uRound 3 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 58,711 (Avg: 8,387)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 71,246 (Avg: 10,17icon_cool.gif
% decrease = -17.59%

[uRound 4 Fixtures (6 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 46,166 (Avg: 7,694)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 55,477 (Avg: 9,246)
% decrease = -16.78%

[uRound 5 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 50,207 (Avg: 7,172)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 57,593 (Avg: 8,22icon_cool.gif
% decrease = -12.82%

[uRound 6 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 67,079 (Avg: 9,583)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 71,439 (Avg: 10,206)
% decrease = -6.10%

[uRound 7 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 57,048 (Avg: 8,150)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 69,941 (Avg: 9,992)
% decrease = -18.43%

[uRound 8 Fixtures (6 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 42,216 (Avg: 7,036)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 60,028 (Avg: 10,005)
% decrease = -29.67%

[uRound 9 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 80,429 (Avg: 11,490)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 81,841 (Avg: 11,692)
% decrease = -1.73%

[uRound 10 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 57,882 (Avg: 8,269)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 71,601 (Avg: 10,229)
% decrease = -19.16%

[uRound 11 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 55,117 (Avg: 7,874)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 62,013 (Avg: 8,859)
% decrease = -11.12%

[uRound 12 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 53,477 (Avg: 7,640)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 63,337 (Avg: 9,04icon_cool.gif
% decrease = -15.57%

[uRound 13 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 49,525 (Avg: 7,075)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 59,648 (Avg: 8,521)
% decrease = -16.97%

[uRound 14 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 68,617 (Avg: 9,802)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 80,737 (Avg: 11,534)
% decrease = -15.01%

[uRound 15 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 53,274 (Avg: 7,611)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 57,921 (Avg: 8,274)
% decrease = -8.02%

[uRound 16 MAGIC WEEKEND Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 62,042 (Avg: 8,863)
Total attendance at same event in 2012 = 63,716 (Avg: 9,102)
% decrease = -2.66%

[uRound 17 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 48,752 (Avg: 6,965)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 54,966 (Avg: 7,852)
% decrease = -11.31%

[uRounds 1 to 17 Fixtures (117 in total)[/u
Total attendance for 117 fixtures in 2013 = 984,738 (Avg: 8,417)
Total attendance for same 110 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures in 2012 = 1,116,869 (Avg: 9,654)
Cumulative attendance loss = 132,131
% decrease = -11.83%

[uClub... Games... 2013... 2012... %gain/loss[/u
Widnes... 8... 49695... 48836... +1.76%
Hull... 8... 97439... 99056... -1.63%
Leeds... 8... 118908... 123944... -4.06%
Wakefield... 7... 55385... 57984... -4.48%
Hull KR... 9... 66870... 70584... -5.26%
Wigan... 7... 104195... 110618... -5.81%
Castleford... 8... 48298... 51585... -6.37%
Warrington... 8... 83443... 89535... -6.80%
Catalan... 7... 53330... 63851... -16.48%
St Helens... 8... 86433... 110702... -21.92%
Huddersfield... 8... 50147... 64778... -22.59%
Bradford... 7... 63451... 88769... -28.52%
London... 9... 19265... 27127... -28.98%
Salford... 8... 25837... 45784... -43.57%

SUBTOTAL... 110... 922696... 1053153... -12.39%

Magic Weekend... 7... 62042... 63716... -2.63%

TOTAL... 117... 984738... 1116869... -11.83%

[uCurrent Average Attendances V Same Fixtures Last Year[/u
[uClub... SL:2013... (SL:2012)[/u
Wigan... 14885... (15803)
Leeds... 14863... (15493)
Hull... 12180... (12382)
St Helens... 10804... (1383icon_cool.gif
Warrington... 10430... (11192)
Bradford... 9064... (12681)
Wakefield... 7912... (8283)
Catalan... 7619... (9122)
Hull KR... 7430... (7843)
Huddersfield... 6268... (8097)
Widnes... 6212... (6104)
Castleford... 6037... (644icon_cool.gif
Salford... 3230... (5723)
London... 2141... (3014)

During the current franchised, 14 club, top 8 play-off system SL era... the total attendances in SL to date remain the lowest we have ever witnessed. Neither the replacement of the poorly-supported Crusaders with the better-supported Widnes, or the establishment of 2 new stadia, or the re-establishment of heavily-discounted SL tickets have prevented 2013 SL attendances from being the worst on record so far.

[uSL Rounds 1 to 15 total attendances comparison (2009 to 2013)[/u
=#FF0000SL 2013 - 984,738 from 110 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures.
SL 2012 - 1,116,869 from same 110 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures.
SL 2011 - 1,043,041 from same 110 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures =#FF0000**
SL 2010 - 1,014,634 from same 110 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures =#FF0000**
SL 2009 - 1,019,972 from same 110 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures =#FF0000**

[uSL 2013 % decrease in attendances[/u
V SL 2012 = -11.83%
V SL 2011 = -5.59%
V SL 2010 = -2.95%
V SL 2009 = -3.45%

=#FF0000** except replace Widnes with Crusaders

A couple of unemployable,illiterate trolls,chatting to each other from their Council owned bed sits - you have to feel sorry for the sad,lonely inadequates,whilst the world moves on around them.

Surely he's getting paid for all of his work

Apparently he was both bullied and ignored as a child - even his mother has disowned him.Gives him something to do,as he tries to remember which day his Benefit cheque comes!

Taking out 2012 all in all a slight drop of 5% or less on previous years isn't wrist slashing time considering the state of economies in RL cities and the general consensus that the people running SL at the moment are clueless.

Your posting history on these forums makes very interesting reading. Perhaps you could provide this thread with a positive focus on all the fantastic SL attendances this year and the even more fantastic discounted ticket sales opportunities?

Thanks in anticipation.

Oh, and congratulations on [url=http://viewtopic.php?p=17413126&tsmp=1370348169#p17413126this particular piece of amazing insight on your part[/url which was in fact a meagre attendance of 5,203 which was 43.41% down on last year, 33.66% down on 2011, 46.07% down on 2010 and an incredible 54.11% down compared to the attendance in 2009.

[uHuddersfield V St Helens attendances[/u
2013 - 5,203
2012 - 9,194
2011 - 7,843
2010 - 9,648
2009 - 11,338

Have to agree about the Huddersfield attendance.
Even allowing for Saints not bringing many and the usual excuse of Monday night and Sky, to scrape just over 5k is poor.
Giants are probably playing as well as anyone, still in the Challenge cup and if they do not drop form as previously a good bet to make the Grand Final.
Weather was perfect for watching and bad weather does not seem to deter the Union fans who still play in the height of winter.
We could learn a heck of alot from Union marketing and promoting much as I hate to say it.

Couldn't agree more with any of that, but be careful in expressing such reasoned opinion here as you run the risk of being accused of being someone who really must hate the game.

Quite. Sitting back thinking an attendance of just over 5k for 2nd in the league vs. St Helens is just fine and dandy is a the sign of someone who *really* doesn't care about the game.

How many times must it be pointed out that Huddersfields season tickets this year are double the price of last year ? THEY ARE MAKING MORE MONEY.

SHOUT as loud as you want about "making more money" but it doesn't hide the embarrassment that, the 2nd place club in the comp can only attract 5000 supporters

[url=http://www.giantsrl.com/news/article/2542/secure-your-mini-season-ticketsMore desperate Giants mini-season ticket offers here[/url (working out at £9.17 per game for adults in some cases) and yet they still only managed 5,203 in attendance yesterday.

Is this thread about making money?

Does the fact that Huddersfield are making more money mean that everything is great?

Is it going to encourage a sponsor to invest in our game when the 2nd placed team cannot attract more than 5k fans at a reasonable price against one of the traditional top sides?

Is it going to strengthen our position to renegotiate the TV deal positively at the end of its current contract if we cant get bums on seats, even though Huddersfield are making a little more money?

Are new spectators going to be interested enough to check out this Monday night fixture if they turn on and the stands are empty? Why should they care if the clubs fans do not?

Is the fact that Huddersfield may be making a little extra money actually a reason to celebrate when the turnout is so criminally low? Its like celebrating getting a C in a test when you should be getting an A. Yes its a pass, but its not what would be considered a success.