This isn't a knock on the expected crowd. 60-70000 is great.

But a few weeks ago I attended the NFL game at wembley. twice in the space of a month wembley had 80000 people paying a fair whack to watch an American football game which in reality meant very little to the majority of spectators.

We regularly get over 80000 for the challenge cup final when the bulk of spectators are from just 2 clubs.

So why can't we sell out the national stadium to watch one of the country's top 4 sports in the World Cup semi finals?

There simply has to be 90000 rugby league fans from this country who are capable spending £20 to watch the four best international rugby league teams fight it out for a place in the final.

There must be 90000 England rugby league fans who want to see their country play the world champions for a place in the final.

There won't be another rugby league World Cup in England for another 8 years at least.

How can we have these endless tiresome energy sapping debates with union folk about which is better when we can't sell out our national stadium for the WORLD CUP SEMI FINALS.

So how bout all the inane bickering on here about team selections, averages, McNamara etc ends for just 10 more days and everyone who hasn't got a ticket, get one and go support the F' IN team in what is the biggest match of their lives.

Been feeling the same...

This isn't me being negative. I have loved the World Cup and all the crowds have been beyond expectation. Maybe that's the reason why I was hoping more from Wembley. 65-70k will still be great but just don't see why we can't get even more!

Whilst I agree to a point, don't forget that it's not just about 90,000 fans attending one event because there's been 21 group games and 4 quarter finals plus the final to attend too.

These are fair comments and there is a bit of a feeling of close but no cigar. However, 70k is 70k. If we get to 73k here this will be the highest crowd ever to watch International RL.

In 2000, the SF crowds were 15k and 8k - just to put it into perspective. The SF crowd will also be 25-30k higher than the SFs in 2008.

]

Yep, the attendances across the board in this World Cup have been great and it's great that it's such a big improvement on 2008.

But the fact remains there are 20000 tickets still available for Saturday.

Absolutely guarantee there will be over 20000 people watchin it on the tv who could have been there if they truly put their mind to it.

If it means one less takeaway this month, one less night at the pub, or one less pack of ciggies this week, anyone who hasn't got a ticket should simply get off their bum and attend this match.

Life is there to be lived. If England make the final, that's a memory that will live with those that attend for the rest of their lives.

people can't afford it IMO.

the tickets are cheap...but the day out + travel isn't. Times are hard for ordinary folks. And its not about one less take away...its about putting food on the table for the family and paying the gas bill.

A lot of people haven't had a decent pay rise for 5+ years. (unless you are a director of a FTSE 100 company)

70K would be amazing considering the current economic situation.

Some people may just not be able to go like myself due to work, and to wembley and back is a long trip add into that parking or train fare plus the ridiculous cost of food and drink in the stadium, and fuel you can understand why a few are put off by it. When they can watch on tv for free.

Even though the CC final got 78k I think there are many fans who don't give a poop about there being a WC, and their team isn't playing so won't bother going, hard to hear but I think that could be a truth.

Jeeze you have as much grasp on finances as Alex Salmond...

A trip to Wembley for may is a train ticket, a match ticket, overnight accommodation, beer money, food to buy, tube fares etc...
If it was a trip round the corner to the local ground you could say it was the price of a packet of fags (you are seriously over paying BTW). 65k is a fantastic turnout and many would have been to other games too, oh and there is something happening on the 25th of next month too.

RL fans are never bloody happy.

Me and my lad are going on Saturday, but when you add up all the costs, the ticket price (which is very reasonable) makes it an expensive day out. Well worth it (to me) to go to a World Cup semi, with 60-70k there as well - and I've not been to the new Wembley either.

We'll have a great day (regardless of result), but really do understand why it's not a sell-out.

if it were up to me, you'd get a Knighthood for "Optimistic services to Rugby League" 8.2841796875:10