A more sober analysis.

Super League 2012 - Week 1 attendances = 73,720/7 = 10,531
Super League 2011 - N/A - Magic Weekend
Super League 2010 - Week 1 attendances = 78,090/7 = 11,156
Super League 2009 - Week 1 attendances = 78,141/7 = 11,163

HTH

It was already pointed out by Devils Advocate [url=http://viewtopic.php?f=2&t=514250&start=120here[/url - a few posts down.

No retractions from the naysayers yet, but I'm sure that's just an oversight.

It's certainly encouraging news for Super League (and Sky in particular) that the sport is attracting far more bums in armchairs watching the game.

If those bums start being transported, through the medium of legs, to SL stadia throughout the country, then yes, everyone's a winner.

Ive watched all the games and programmes so far and went to our game and im encouraged by the Super league product as a whole this year. The league will probably break records again this year attendance wise.

We need to build up the playoffs more and improve on them if we want the sport to really get bigger. The playoffs are supposed to be the pinnacle of the season but most stadiums are half empty at best. I will be interested to see if the playoffs attendances etc improve this year.

I'd say it's far more likely that bums shall remain in situ, through the medium of hands and thumbs, to Sky Remotes throughout the country, and yes, Sky's the winner.

Best to give up now then.

And therefore a bigger deal from Sky next time the deal comes round to being renewed then.

Everyone's a winner!

It's true, then; RLFannies just can't by and large cope with good news about the game.To the diehards pushing the envelope of spinning good news into bad, I salute you. To the relatives of those who choked to death on their Cornflakes or were struck dumb by the news, I apologise.

The average attendance will go up this year simply based on the fact Widnes have replaced Crusaders, who had a small fanbase and we have created some more local rivalries in SL. On top of that Saints, Wire, Leeds, Catalan and Salford all have bigger grounds and there is renewed optimism at Wakey and London.

To properly compare the opening weekend attendances with previous years you have to look at the actual fixtures. To me there wasnt any particularly good fixtures maybe with the exception of Hull v Wire. Also you have to take into consideration the weather, which will have affected the attendances.

I suspect an average attendance this season of over 11k. This will improve if Bradford and Hull have a good seasons, as both are teams capable of 20k+ attendances for derby matches and 14k for regular round matches if they are playing well each week. I have hope for the latter but despair for the former.

I was very surprised with the TV figures, but more people watching the game will hopefully mean more people going to games in future and subsequently more season ticket holders and more money off sky and other sponsors.

10k average with London & Salford both being at home isn't bad going at all.

You'd imagine if those games were at St Helens & Castleford that the average would have been bumped up a bit more.

This much is obvious. Maybe they should included in your season ticket. Put 30 quid or so on season tickets at the start of the year and get play off matches and challenge cup games free or sell separate ST with them included . It would create a better atmosphere and look miles better on TV. You might not get any challenge cup games or play off games at home but thats the risk u take. You could get 3 CC and 2 PO games.