What's the difference so long as they turn up on the day.

Exactly. Both are valid motives. Some will buy when the fixtures come out (what's the point in buying a season ticket if you know you can't make Friday games?), some at Christmas (as gifts and with bonuses). You're right, some might just watch on TV this year, but I doubt that's a huge motivator - watching a game and going to the rugby are two very different things.

Without scrolling back through socials for I think we had sold more season tickets for 2024 within 10 days, but it doesn't take an analyst to know those numbers were inflated by adults just tagging on a free junior season ticket or two on the off chance the kids might want to come to the odd game. And that was a good move last year - Ellis knew we'd have space in the ground, we'd be a winning team so new fans could get the buzz ahead of this season.

But reading through the thread, the 5,700 'sold' last year isn't a great metric to compare by - the 3,850 adults is. Of the 3,000+ sold so far for 2025, we don't know how many are adults, but it's logical to assume the highest percentage would be much more than 70% (as it was last year), because the kids aren't free anymore.

Just to add my 2p, I haven't renewed because I found having a seat in the East Stand a bit of a constraint. When I go with my dad I wanted to sit in there and analyse every tackle, when I go with my mates I want to be in the North Stand jumping about, and when it's just me and the toddler we'll probably stand on the West. I'll probably still spend £300 on tickets.

Ultimately, you're right and in reality, if there are more "walk ups", the club would receive more revenue.
However, having sold around 5000 S/T's last season, for Championship RL, we really should exceed that number.

If you're Matt Ellis just now, looking at reduced numbers of S/T sales, you would be wondering why you have invested so much, especially if the people of Wakefield wont give back.

The two clubs who we would like to emulate, Leigh and KR have been backed to the hilt by their fans and in order to compete, we have to do likewise.

Ofc, everyone has limited resources and not everyone can afford to buy tickets but.........

If you’re using the likes of Hull KR as a barometer then you should judge them on their return season and not this season. That’s very unfair.

In KRs first season return to SL I think they sold around 4000 I saw it reported recently. It’s taken a few years for them to double that with success on field.

If we get around 4000-4500 then I would consider that something to build on.

As a few posts rightly mentioned, we have a good number of walk ups who buy tickets on match days. The most important thing is that we improve upon the 5,500 or so average this year and show growth.

A lot of that and the singular most important thing this season will be on field results. We need to be somewhere within touching the playoffs or in it to really generate positive momentum for growth beyond 2025. I would also say the match day experience needs a bit of focus, more local bands, more of an event feel to match day.


KR wouldn’t have had the growth they had if they weren’t competing at the top end of the table.

Ellis will know that it will take a few years of investing before he sees a return of the same value.

One thing that is sure to help with attendances in SL is the increased number of away fans.
In the Championship, generally speaking, we saw relatively small numbers of away fans, with the exception of Fev and Bradford.
This will be massively different in the top flight, It maybe a little optimistic but, we should be targeting the 7500 figure.

IF we can become a club that is challenging for a play off spot, there is no reason why not.

Definitely the away fans should be a lot more. Especially as tickets will be only £15 I suspect.

Leeds, Cas, KR and probably Hull will likely bring more than our biggest away travelling support in 2024. I’d even expect them to be sell out or close.

I can see us getting around 6000 average next season and I think 6-6500 is a realistic target as an average.

The biggest driver will definitely be on field performance.

Given that our average this season was just over 5500, achieving 6000 would be disappointing.
Surely, we have to be aiming a little higher ?

Well 500-1000 fans I think is reasonable as a target. 500 should come from away fans and I think another 500 or so from increasing support at home is a good starting point.

It’s always better to set realistic targets and celebrate meeting or exceeding them than falling short and being dissapointed.

Just because you set an increase of 10-20% doesn’t mean you can’t prepare and put the foundations in to exceed that.

This is a 5 year plan I think and only year 2. If we increase 500-1000 for next 4 years we will be looking (like KR) selling out every game.

Our average gate was 5500.
We probably won't get that in ST but we should be beating that in a attendance.

I agree
We should be looking to increase both the number of S/T holders and the attendance.
Ofc, we're unlikely to win as many games (understatement) but, we should be watching a better standard of RL.
Ultimately, it's down to the fans and how many are willing to pay to see Trinity.

Very good so I suppose you have purchased a season ticket in support of the club despite not being able to attend. I doubt your conscious will allow you to be one of those sat in bed or in your armchair watching on Sky without doing so or is it a case of do what I say rather than do what I do.

If finances allow it, we are in a really good position to maximise the away supporters for the next 2 years.
Superleague fans from other clubs will be curious about the stadium developments and wonder what all the hype around Wakefield Trinity is about. However if the West Terrace is going to be the main area for away support then they’re going to be sorely disappointed.

To that end, as I say if finances allow, we would do well to put a decent temporary stand on the West Terrace thus encouraging away fans to travel and to generate positive stories about how far we’ve come since 2022 and that infamous Sts photo.

For the 2026 season we should hopefully be realising some of the permanent stadium developments so for a second year curiosity and positive reviews from visiting fans should encourage more away fans to travel.

Another issue that needs addressing if gates increase to the extent we all hope for is parking. I feel for the residents around the ground, but fans have no choice other than to park on residential roads. I think one solution would be to persuade Wakefield Council to fund a Park & Ride on the City Fields site that could double as a match day car park...there might even be central funds available for such an 'environmentally sensible' project.

So just like Headingley and Weldon Road then ??

Not many North Stand tickets left by the sound of it... https://x.com/WTrinityRL/status/1854962 ... gr%5Etweet

Not many North Stand tickets left by the sound of it... https://x.com/WTrinityRL/status/1854962 ... gr%5Etweet