The total number of spectators who watched Round 13 of Tetley’s Rugby Super League IX was the third highest aggregate attendance for a single round of games in the nine year history of the competition.
A total of 63,343 supporters attended the six matches staged last weekend.
Included in this figure are the 23,375 supporters who watched the Bradford Bulls v Leeds Rhinos fixture at Odsal Stadium on Saturday night – that figure was the second highest Super League attendance ever for one game.
Prior to this season, the record aggregate attendance for any Round of Super League had stood for four years. This weekend’s bumper turnout means that record has now been beaten three times in the space of just over three
months.
Also the Regular season so far has generated 29 matches which have attracted five figures gates. The total of five figure gates for the entire 2003 Regular season was 50.
Commenting on the figures, the Rugby Football League’s Director of Marketing Gary Tasker said:
‘We believe these tremendous attendance figures are a result of the continued growth in strength of the Tetley’s Rugby Super League.
‘The quality of players and matches continues to increase year on year and produce a more competetive, more unpredictable and more entertaining competition’
Tasker added: ‘In addition, clubs are continuing to invest in their marketing infrastructures and develop initiatives such as proactive ticket sales. They are now are reaping the benefits and we will work with them to sustain this success and continue this growth’.
The four best attended Rounds in the history of the Super League competition are:
* 2004 – Round 1 generated an aggregate of 69,499 supporters.
* 2004 – Round 5 generated an aggregate of 66,121 supporters.
* 2004 – Round 13 generated an aggregate of 63,343 supporters.
* 1999 – Round 29 generated an aggregate of 62,274 supporters (7 matches).
For more details contact:
Andrew Whitelam
Media Manager
The Rugby Football League
Tel: (01132) 441 114 / (07770) 993366
Fax: (01132) 441 110
E-Mail: andreww@superleague.co.uk