Increase in prices aswell for tickets. Won't stop me going but a £30 ticket in 2012 was £45 yesterday, that will have an effect. Also in regards to Warrington we have creamfields right on our doorstep which doesn't help our following to Wembley.

I wouldn't be surprised if they included the club Wembley seats given that they were sold but not necessarily attended. The game was a better spectacle for neutrals so that might help next year. Recent years have been disappointing one sided games. Overall though Wembley and the CC does seem to have lost some appeal. Although it is still a good day out to the final for the competing teams although the earlier rounds are increasingly poorly attended. The semi between Hull and Wigan a good example. Many people are away on holiday in Aug as I was for the semi. The CC started to suffer with the advent of the GF, the move away from Wembley and moving it away from its traditional slot in May. At least the product on the field as good this year.

And dont forget the Proms that would have been a draw for potential fans as well. Poor excuse for low turnout, the fabled Wire following never turned up again

The recent ticket price rises are obscene, I was shocked when I saw how much it was this year. Obviously won't put off the committed fans, but floating supporters and the thousands of traditional neutral attenders would be well down I'd think.

This trend started a few years ago. Wembley at one time was awash with shirts from all over RL land, not anymore.

I think it's a combination of factors.

Firstly and most significantly it used to be THE showpiece event of the season, it was played after the league had finished. We now have events such as the magic weekend and the GF as well, this wouldn't affect the numbers coming from the clubs involved but I think it reduces the numbers of neutrals.

Being played in the summer holidays won't help, a fair few will be away, IMO moving it forward to the last week before the holidays start would help.

To answer the question of why do people bother, just go on the Hull board and you'll get your answer.

I went every year for yonks, now I go *most years*. I didn't go yesterday (although I was considering a last-minute trip until the eleventh hour).

As Trainman says, a variety of factors. I don't think there's much doubt that the CCF was much better played in the Spring. Nowadays it's in the shadow of the GF in every sense.

That said, I can't imagine making the much longer journey to OT as a neutral, whereas doubtless I'll be at CCFs in the future.

It's too close to the GF now, they are barely 6 weeks apart. It was perfect when it was in April/May but I guess that coincides with the end of the beloved Premiership and Championship seasons, play-offs, FA Cup final etc. and Wembley availability isn't always there.

I believe all large sports stadia include ST holders and tickets sold in the "official" attendance, rather than how many times a turnstile clicks.

That's the main issue for me. It's difficult for the clubs and it's players but even worse for the fans.

I don't even give it a seconds thought attending the cup final now if Wigan aren't there because I go to every Grand Final regardless of us being in it. I know that the Grand Final day with my ticket and a day session will cost £150+ so I keep my money in my pocket.

It needs to be moved to May/June without any question IMO.

And as for a Spring CCF clashing with Premiership play-offs, FA Cup Final, etc: well, we managed in the past; what's different now?

Don't think it helped the Hull City were hosting Man Utd .