it was also the heritage game.

Alternatively, the stupid decision to play a game on a Thursday night might have a little impact too.

We've had it for years, without any cash for the last one, great innit

Expected? I'm quite sure I said "if" it turns out to be Bradford's 2nd highest attendance, though given the pervading sense of disillusionment among Bulls fans, 8,214 could well end up being their 2nd highest of the season.



Attendances at opening games of the season are often among the highest recorded by clubs due to the enthusiasm and hype surrounding the beginning of a brand new season. Bradford's opening home attendance today was their lowest ever during the entire Super League era and the only occasion they've not posted a five figure gate.



2014 v Castleford 8,214

2013 v Wakefield 10,263

2012 v Catalan 10,610

2011 v Wigan 15,348

2010 v St Helens 10,165

2009 v Hull KR 12,141

2008 v Huddersfield 10,124

2007 v Huddersfield 12,130

2006 v London 11,097

2005 v Wakefield 15,137

2004 v Wigan 17,267

2003 v Wakefield 20,263

2002 v Warrington 13,876

2001 v St Helens 16,572

2000 v Warrington 17,127

1999 v Sheffield 12,044

1998 v Leeds 19,188

1997 v Warrington 15,070

1996 v Castleford 10,027





Bradford's home attendances against Wakefield were as low as 7,437 in 2010 and 8,387 in 2009, therefore surely it's within the realms of possibility the attendance in 2014 could drop by at least 2K? Particularly so given the recent ring-fencing of clinical depression among Bulls fans?

anyone else as excited as I am about the new stadium/new era crowd increases at HKR and Salford? I reckon London, with a new ground and a brand new landlord (who might invest, but is happy to take a bribe from the RFL this year to see what he might be buying) is going to be a real boost to next weeks instalment of this thread

Interested in Salford's as the year progresses, much will depend on whether they do look like top 8 contenders as they go along.

HKR, should see more away fans turning up, depending what the team offer on the field might result in less home fans though to cancel it out a bit.



Interesting ones really are Huddersfield, became proper contenders last year and have started this year beating the champions and start this as contenders instead of the previous few years of "start well but tail off" pretenders.

Also Saints, they got their new stadium and had the new stadium effect but then followed it up with their poorest ever SL campaign. A lot fancy them this year though and they've gotten of to a great start, the crowd I think will reflect this if they keep it up.



As I've said before, crowds should be judged on a club-to-club basis, not a full league basis.

Certainly. If this carries on we could see 2 record breaking seasons of attendances in 3 years. Neither with promotion to SL.



Leigh and Featherstone proving SL promotion doesnt need to be on the line.

I think you'll find Starbug said "British sporting pysche , a near 40% increase on the back of [imeaningful games [/itells a story"



Don't you realise that Championship clubs are striving to do well enough this season to put themselves in with a chance of getting in the middle 8 next season? That chance, created by the recent agreement to introduce the 2x12; 3x8 structure from next season, has led to a 40% increase in opening day attendances at Championship matches this weekend.

thats almost as big a stretch as Little Rich claiming the great tv viewing figures for the Wigan V Hudds game was because there was relegation from SL this year.

i.e. This season, Championship clubs' first objective is to avoid ending up one of the bottom five teams that will be relegated. Makes all the matches meaningful for the first time in many seasons.

There has always been relegation from the Championship.



HTH

Quote Mr Churchill="Mr Churchill"I think you'll find Starbug said "British sporting pysche , a near 40% increase on the back of [imeaningful games [/itells a story" Don't you realise that Championship clubs are striving to do well enough this season to put themselves in with a chance of getting in the middle 8 next season? That chance, created by the recent agreement to introduce the 2x12; 3x8 structure from next season, has led to a 40% increase in opening day attendances at Championship matches this weekend.'" doesn't the finishing position in the championship this year have a bearing on the amount of central funding they get next year 2015..?? jus found it... www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... ampionship

Quote Mr Churchill="Mr Churchill"I think you'll find Starbug said "British sporting pysche , a near 40% increase on the back of [imeaningful games [/itells a story" Don't you realise that Championship clubs are striving to do well enough this season to put themselves in with a chance of getting in the middle 8 next season? That chance, created by the recent agreement to introduce the 2x12; 3x8 structure from next season, has led to a 40% increase in opening day attendances at Championship matches this weekend.'" doesn't the finishing position in the championship this year have a bearing on the amount of central funding they get next year 2015..?? jus found it... www1.skysports.com/rugby-league/ ... ampionship