Just out of interest, what the Top 14 average attendance? Aviva Premiership?

I have no interest in Union and even less interest in it's attendances so I'm afraid I can't help you. Perhaps someone else can?

[uUPDATE...[/u
[uSL Round 25 attendances - comparison to same fixtures last year[/u

Warrington V Widnes in 2013 = 10,392
Warrington V Widnes in 2012 = 12,042
% decrease = -13.70%

Hull V Salford in 2013 = 11,180
Hull V Salford in 2012 = 10,776
% increase = +3.75%

Leeds V Hull KR in 2013 = 14.868
Leeds V Hull KR in 2012 = 15,343
% decrease = -3.10%

It doesn't help attendances when games are played all over Mondays/Thursdays/Fridays/Saturdays and Sundays on sky. The constant chopping and changing of schedules is worse than ever. It would be interesting to see what days the games have been played on vs the days played on last season etc when doing these stats.

Good point Vikingman. Also - what was on telly this year versus what was on telly last year and correlate those answers with attendances. For example If Jeremy Kyle was on on Fridays this year but not last then that's gonna adversely affect the Salford attendances this year. It's worth an analysis but I'm not sure if Mr Eve has the time to go back to the beginning of this thread and work these stats into the numbers.

A negative decrease is actually an increase.

If the RFL read this thread, that would be their conclusion

[uUPDATE...[/u
[uSL Round 25 attendances - comparison to same fixtures last year[/u

Warrington V Widnes in 2013 = 10,392
Warrington V Widnes in 2012 = 12,042
% decrease = -13.70%

Hull V Salford in 2013 = 11,180
Hull V Salford in 2012 = 10,776
% increase = +3.75%

Leeds V Hull KR in 2013 = 14.868
Leeds V Hull KR in 2012 = 15,343
% decrease = -3.10%

London V Huddersfield in 2013 = 2,013
London V Huddersfield in 2012 = 1,970
% increase = +2.18%

Catalan V Wigan in 2013 = 8,968
Catalan V Wigan in 2012 = 13,858
% decrease = -35.29%

Two SL clubs have now completed their home fixtures this season.

[uWARRINGTON[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 138,232 (Average: 10,633)
Total Attendance in 2012 = 148,873 (Average: 11,452)
Down by 7.15%

[uLONDON[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 28,775 (Average: 2,213)
Total Attendance in 2012 = 36,503 (Average: 2,80icon_cool.gif
Down by 21.17%

Super 15 = 20,242 (NZ 14,853/Au 17,494/SA 28,380)
NRL = 15,694
Heineken =13,458
Top 14 =13,150
Aviva = 12,480
Superleague = 9,097
Pro 12 = 8,199
Amlin Cup = 5,307

Other than the Japanese Top league and Microsoft Cup, neither of which publish attendances I can find, that's pretty much it for professional Rugby around the world.

Union seem to be able to put on Event games which inflate their averages and the NRL seems to be catching on with Double headers in Brisbane and the Warriors at Eden Park and Wellington boosting their average by close to 30%.

I agree with some posters on these boards who have suggested an OTR round, where 7 games are taken to new areas and the clubs combined with the RFL market the hell out of them.....It's 1 home game every 2 seasons lost, with the RFL covering losses (if there are any).

[uSL Round 25 attendances - comparison to same fixtures last year[/u

Warrington V Widnes in 2013 = 10,392
Warrington V Widnes in 2012 = 12,042
% decrease = -13.70%

Hull V Salford in 2013 = 11,180
Hull V Salford in 2012 = 10,776
% increase = +3.75%

Leeds V Hull KR in 2013 = 14.868
Leeds V Hull KR in 2012 = 15,343
% decrease = -3.10%

London V Huddersfield in 2013 = 2,013
London V Huddersfield in 2012 = 1,970
% increase = +2.18%

Catalan V Wigan in 2013 = 8,968
Catalan V Wigan in 2012 = 13,858
% decrease = -35.29%

Castleford V Bradford in 2013 = 6,633
Castleford V Bradford in 2012 = 8,054
% decrease = -17.64%

Wakefield V St Helens in 2013 = 7,985
Wakefield V St Helens in 2012 = 7,876
% increase = +1.38%

Total Attendance in SL Round 25 = 62,039 (Avg: 8,863)
Total Attendance same fixtures last year = 69,919 (Avg: 9,98icon_cool.gif
% decrease = -11.27%

**********************
3 out of 7 fixtures in Round 25 have shown an increase in attendance compared to the same SL fixtures last year. 4 out of 7 fixtures in Round 24 have shown a decrease in attendance compared to the same SL fixtures last year.

**********************
Out of 168 fixtures played thus far in 2013 (not including magic weekend fixtures), 44 out of 168 have shown an increase in attendance compared to the corresponding SL fixtures last year. 124 out of 168 fixtures have shown a decrease in attendance compared to the corresponding SL fixtures last year.

[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 (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 58,948 (Avg: 8,421)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 68,803 (Avg: 9,829)
% decrease = -14.32%

[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 (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 52,247 (Avg: 7,464)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 69,575 (Avg: 9,939)
% decrease = -24.91%

[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 = -2.63%

[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%

[uRound 18 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 55,384 (Avg: 7,912)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 56,180 (Avg: 8,026)
% decrease = -1.42%

[uRound 19 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 62,239 (Avg: 8,891)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 60,958 (Avg: 8,70icon_cool.gif
% increase = +2.10%

[uRound 20 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 55,617 (Avg: 7,945)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 62,218 (Avg: 8,88icon_cool.gif
% decrease = -10.61%

[uRound 21 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 64,512 (Avg: 9,216)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 71,206 (Avg: 10,172)
% decrease = -9.40%

[uRound 22 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 63,146 (Avg: 9,021)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 71,188 (Avg: 10,170)
% decrease = -11.30%

[uRound 23 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 53,062 (Avg: 7,580)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 59,266 (Avg: 8,467)
% decrease = -10.47%

[uRound 24 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 63,910 (Avg: 9,130)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 71,807 (Avg: 10,25icon_cool.gif
% decrease = -11.00%

[uRound 25 Fixtures (7 in total)[/u
Total attendance in 2013 = 62,039 (Avg: 8,863)
Total attendance for same fixtures in 2012 = 69,919 (Avg: 9,98icon_cool.gif
% decrease = -11.27%

[uRounds 1 to 25 Fixtures (175 in total)[/u
Total attendance for 168 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures in 2013 = 1,487,460 (Avg: 8,500)
Total attendance for same 168 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures in 2012 = 1,662,484 (Avg: 9,500)
Cumulative attendance loss = 175,024
% decrease = -10.53%

[uClub... Games... 2013... 2012... %gain/loss[/u
Wakefield... 12... 97231... 96451... +0.81%
Leeds... 12... 181980... 181038... +0.52%
Widnes... 12... 72478... 72375... +0.14%
Hull... 12... 140593... 142784... -1.53%
Hull KR... 12... 89681... 94499... -5.10%
Warrington... 13... 138232... 148873... -7.15%
Castleford... 12... 75162... 81348... -7.60%
Wigan... 11... 161685... 175449... -7.85%
Catalan... 12... 100129... 110483... -9.37%
St Helens... 12... 132768... 167404... -20.69%
Huddersfield... 12... 74033... 93644... -20.94%
London... 13... 28775... 36503... -21.17%
Bradford... 11... 95824... 131574... -27.17%
Salford... 12... 36847... 66343... -44.46%

SUBTOTAL... 168... 1425418... 1598768... -10.84%

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

TOTAL... 175... 1487460... 1662484... -10.53%

[uCurrent Average Attendances V Same Fixtures Last Year[/u
[uClub... SL:2013... (SL:2012)[/u
Leeds... 15165... (15087)
Wigan... 14699... (15950)
Hull... 11716... (11899)
St Helens... 11064... (13950)
Warrington... 10633... (11452)
Bradford... 8711... (11961)
Catalan... 8384... (9207)
Wakefield... 8103... (803icon_cool.gif
Hull KR... 7473... (7875)
Castleford... 6264... (6779)
Huddersfield... 6169... (7804)
Widnes... 6040... (6031)
Salford... 3071... (5529)
London... 2213... (280icon_cool.gif

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, nor the establishment of 2 new stadia, nor the re-establishment of heavily-discounted SL tickets via cheap Groupon/BOGOF/Buddy offers has prevented 2013 SL attendances from being the worst on record so far.

[uSL Rounds 1 to 25 total attendances comparison (2009 to 2013)[/u
=#FF0000SL 2013 - 1,487,460 from 168 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures.
SL 2012 - 1,662,484 from same 168 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures.
SL 2011 - 1,552,429 from same 168 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures =#FF0000**
SL 2010 - 1,507,011 from same 168 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures =#FF0000**
SL 2009 - 1,520,746 from same 168 fixtures plus 7 MAGIC fixtures =#FF0000**

[uSL 2013 % decrease in attendances[/u
V SL 2012 = -10.53%
V SL 2011 = -4.18%
V SL 2010 = -1.30%
V SL 2009 = -2.19%

[uSL attendances losses[/u
V SL 2012 = -175,024
V SL 2011 = -64,969
V SL 2010 = -19,551
V SL 2009 = -33,286

=#FF0000** except replace Widnes with Crusaders

Wasn't there a series of games played in London football grounds in the mid-50's that were very successful. Shown on ITV?

yep.........then again, in those days, the attendances at all sporting events were massive.....nowadays the public have a lot more to choose from when it comes to spending on entertainment.

London Broncos will cease to exist in SL from 2015 onwards due to the clubs inability to market itself and the RFL's reluctance to back the expansion with cold hard cash and support of the level received by Melbourne Storm from the NRL.
Knowing the track record of the RFL, they will point to the failure of London as proof that the game as a professional sport is better confined to the M62 Corridor and they will retreat accordingly. The upshot will be that whilst the amateur game will continue to thrive in the London region, any decent talent will probably be snapped up by the Rah's.

When London drop out of the tier, they could well be the tip of the iceberg.....other clubs have wobbled of late, such as Bradford and Wakey, and if Salfords new owner is relying on fans to flock to games, he's in for a shock too. The game is not in good health at the moment. London could just as easily fold this year, but the RFL can't afford the media coverage that would deliver.

Interesting that Wire's attendances are down c800 on last year when the biggest drop in the crowds can be clearly seen in the West Stand ie- the away support. With very few exceptions, that has been more than half empty all year. Even for the usual sellouts v Wigan & Saints, there was plenty of space in the West.

It's also been the case that I've seen fewer Wire fans at away games ....... could it be simply that home attendances have stayed bouyant and it's travelling support that's dropped off? Not surprising as it's obviously more expensive/more susceptible to disruption due to Sky moving games ..... Has anyone at Red Hall tried to finish work at 5:30pm and travel over the M62 on a Friday/Monday night to get to an away game on time? .... Getting from Warrington to Wigan can be a pain at 6pm but from say, Leeds to Saints or Hull to Widnes !!! Not even worth setting off.

Wouldn't take a genius to ensure weekday games are 'localised' .... anyone at Red Hall in MENSA?

Only one Australian RU club has decent support
Queensland Reds 31,962
New South Wales 15,651
ACT Brumbies 14,450
Melbourne Rebels 11,998
Western Force 11,937

To be fair, they all get higher than the SL Average, also Rugby League in the UK wish they had a club averaging 32,000 a game.

I see that the first week of the Premiership football this season has seen an increase in attendances, which throws further doubt that 'the economic climate' is responsible for the drop in attendances at Super League games.

I think it's clear from William Eve's figures that attendances this season are down. I think it's also clear that the main reason for this is the league structure/8 team play-offs. The top teams are taking it easy for large parts of the season, and there are more 'meaningless' games than ever, played at a really low intensity - so people are saving their money. As a result, people are getting out of the habbit of attending games, which would also play a role why the Challenge Cup and play-offs are poorly attended.

I think we're at a really important crossroads for rugby league in this country. The RFL have obviously recognised this with their re-org plans for the league, I just hope they come up with the right answers. (And I dont believe a re-org is the only action needed)

I think people just coming up with the conclusion 'it's because of the structure/format' is incredibly lazy.

If so why are Widnes, Wakey and Leeds showing an increase? The results need to be individualized to each club. The reasons that Wigan are down will be very different to Salfords reasons, Saints will have different reasons to London etc.

As a Leeds fan I heard quite a few fans before AND after the GF win say they wouldn't be attending as much during the next regular season and some have stuck to that.....yet we're up so far with 1 game remaining so we must be getting new people through the door.

The people of Canberra are very strange.