A couple of seasons ago one of the broadsheets compared crowds between the two Rugby codes and the average was very close. Whilst the top Guiness Premiership games had bigger crowds than the top Engage games, the rest of the Union crowds were lower than the equivalent League ones. But to put it into context, the aggregate crowd for either code didn't match the top Premiership football game that weekend.

Think they did the same last year as well, excellent marketing and pricing which should be applauded and adapted by RL clubs. There's lots we can learn from other sports. Not running our own down for one.


The official attendences for their games against Exeter, Leeds, Sale, Newcastle and Northampton suggest the Stoop was less then full.

Hi Dixie.

If its true then that would a good attendence, however even the sorries fans doubt the Wembley att figures and any att under 50k means the game has run at a loss.

The figures for the saracens last two home games against hq tell the tale:
2009 @ Wembley 47k
2010@ Vicarage road 6k.
To lose 10'000 fans in a year would be unfortunate but 41'000?

Theres lots we can learn from union, the most important of which is how to sell our sport.

The game between Quins and London Irish at the main Twickenham stadium just after Christmas was 75,112. There was a huge advertising campaign because the pre-match & half-time entertainment was provided by the X Factor finalists. This gave a major boost to the crowd, and Radio Five's Rachel Burden claimed it was the most entertaining part of the day.

If the 4 billion who watch the union world cup (honest, they love it in China, India and the States) all donate 0.5p, they can wipe out that loss.

Nah, don't be daft!


All they'd need to do would be to sign up all of HKR's away support, and job sorted. Simples!

Heya clearwing, no worries bud. The sorries@wembley figures have been discussed, debunked and dismissed on another forum. Something that came out of the discussion were comments made by the c.e.o's of two union clubs that the [iofficial[/i att figures are often higher then the [iactual[/i att..by upto 25% in some instances! Still, it makes the season averages look better, ey.

I think the op is valid because it gives an insight into how clubs and governing bodies of other sports handle some of the issues already faced by RL. For example promotion to the union premership is no longer automatic, but based partly on an off field audit, similar to the system used in RL as a precursor to franchising.

The 2011 ruwc viewing figures have already been announced as 4.5 billion. They not only wiped out the loss but made a profit

Regardless of what theGuardian says, you were quite clearly mocking the dwindling crowds at RU games.

I will remind you of these when the six nations is back on.

Please do, half filled stadiums et all.