RLWC Attendance-O-Meter

[Just Browny]

I can't remember who bid for what, but given the intention to play games in the north and the conversation about appropriate ground sizes it seems a shame that we haven't used grounds like Hull KR or Halifax which are passable facilities-wise and the right size for a game like last night's.

It's also a shame we don't have acceptable facilities in places like Bradford, Wakefield or Cumbria because those are large parts of the RL heartlands who hardly get a look in at this world cup (and for good reason as their grounds are mostly dives), creating saturation in a very small corner of the north west.

Edited October 22, 2022 by Just Browny

[Chrispmartha]

32 minutes ago, Dave T said:

I made the point last week, one of the big objectives has to be to create viral moments, and I think we are doing that. Some of the Rugby we have seen so far has been simply stunning, and I must say broadly speaking the social media coverage from RLWC, BBC, NRL, SL, RFL and others has been outstanding. Its things like this that shouldn't be ignored. 

One point I would make on crowds is that I think people are a little bit more used to emptier crowds again. The shift towards more women's sport on TV, plus more lower leagues etc has meant that more and more empty seats are shown - it isn't simply football with packed grounds and RL with empty ones. 

Watch Rugby Union, Cricket, Champ Football, Scottish Football, Women's Football - they all have huge sections of empty seats. I don't think it is as huge a thing as we have in our heads. Obviously the financial implications and fan experience are a challenge, but the perception point imo is less of an issue. 

We also shouldn’t forget that this WC has only 1/3rd started I think the Womens and Wheelchair starting will add another dimension to it and create lots of positive coverage/viral stuff

[Dave T]

Just now, Chrispmartha said:

We also shouldn’t forget that this WC has only 1/3rd started I think the Womens and Wheelchair starting will add another dimension to it and create lots of positive coverage/viral stuff

Yeah, PDRL tomorrow too. 

I do think the BBC have done a tremendous job. Proper features and interviews and have portrayed it brilliantly. 

[gingerjon]

1 minute ago, Dave T said:

Yeah, PDRL tomorrow too. 

With regards to that, I saw it being listed that "Adam Hills' Australia" are playing the England Community Lions.

No comment either way and I'm sure there are reasons, but a bit of a shame it can't be integrated into the England set-up like the rest.

[gingerjon]

4 minutes ago, Chrispmartha said:

We also shouldn’t forget that this WC has only 1/3rd started I think the Womens and Wheelchair starting will add another dimension to it and create lots of positive coverage/viral stuff

The wheelchair tournament is going to be our sleeper hit.

[Archie Gordon]

5 minutes ago, Just Browny said:

I can't remember who bid for what, but given the intention to play games in the north and the conversation about appropriate ground sizes it seems a shame that we haven't used grounds like Hull KR or Halifax which are passable facilities-wise and the right size for a game like last night's.

It's also a shame we don't have acceptable facilities in places like Bradford, Wakefield or Cumbria because those are large parts of the RL heartlands who hardly get a look in at this world cup (and for good reason as their grounds are mostly dives), creating saturation in a very small corner of the north west.

One of the things I enjoyed about the 2017 RLWC, and also the odd game in the NRL, is the games at packed ~8k up country grounds. I think they look like fantastic occasions that I'd love to be part of. Whilst these aren't appropriate for the QFs onwards, they are completely appropriate for the carnival stage of the comp, which I feel the group stages ought to be. Maybe next time.

[Dave T]

19 minutes ago, Just Browny said:

I can't remember who bid for what, but given the intention to play games in the north and the conversation about appropriate ground sizes it seems a shame that we haven't used grounds like Hull KR or Halifax which are passable facilities-wise and the right size for a game like last night's.

It's also a shame we don't have acceptable facilities in places like Bradford, Wakefield or Cumbria because those are large parts of the RL heartlands who hardly get a look in at this world cup (and for good reason as their grounds are mostly dives).

Hull KR have blown their chances with this type of game unfortunately, but defo Halifax etc. 

[Spidey]

12 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

With regards to that, I saw it being listed that "Adam Hills' Australia" are playing the England Community Lions.

No comment either way and I'm sure there are reasons, but a bit of a shame it can't be integrated into the England set-up like the rest.

Think the only reason was it was so last minute. Did you know there is an international masters festival also? As that’s not competitive I get it’s not a tournament but no harm integrating and promoting it

[Toby Chopra]

5 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Hull KR have blown their chances with this type of game unfortunately, but defo Halifax etc. 

What's the issue with KR?

Not having any group games in Hull seems an obvious error with hindsight, although I can see that they were aiming to use more modern looking stadiums and/or minimum 15k capacity by the looks of it.

Craven Park or Workington tick neither but, again with hindsight I acknowledge, one of the Donny games and one of the NW bundle could have done better at those two.      

[David Shepherd]

1 hour ago, ShropshireBull said:

I think both can be correct. Reality is that as it is on tv the most important thing going forward is the optics. So empty stadiums just look hideous for future sponsors and commercial partners.

That's a fair point.  They probably should have kept the stand where the cameras were located off sale to bunch people up a bit more.

[Damien]

11 minutes ago, Toby Chopra said:

What's the issue with KR?

Not having any group games in Hull seems an obvious error with hindsight, although I can see that they were aiming to use more modern looking stadiums and/or minimum 15k capacity by the looks of it.

Craven Park or Workington tick neither but, again with hindsight I acknowledge, one of the Donny games and one of the NW bundle could have done better at those two.      

They had a couple of decent games in 2013 and attendances weren't great, e.g PNG v Samoa should have really been getting more than 6,871.

[Dave T]

17 minutes ago, Toby Chopra said:

What's the issue with KR?

Not having any group games in Hull seems an obvious error with hindsight, although I can see that they were aiming to use more modern looking stadiums and/or minimum 15k capacity by the looks of it.

Craven Park or Workington tick neither but, again with hindsight I acknowledge, one of the Donny games and one of the NW bundle could have done better at those two.      

Isn't there a Hull game today? I'm struggling to keep up lol. 

HKR have shown no signs of supporting international matches. 

[crashmon]

10 hours ago, Hello said:

I think, more to the point, if you're going to have games outside the heartlands, which you should, then choose games that are not going to be obvious one sided blow outs.

You would not have got 10K for this game in the heartlands, more like 5 or 6K. I'd say the reason you got 10K is partly the fact this is the only group game you can get to and back from the south in one day

[Toby Chopra]

2 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Isn't there a Hull game today? I'm struggling to keep up lol. 

HKR have shown no signs of supporting international matches. 

Yes you're right, I'd missed that too! NZ-Jam at the KC today. So Craven Park not needed this time round. 

[redjonn]

39 minutes ago, Dave T said:

Hull KR have blown their chances with this type of game unfortunately, but defo Halifax etc. 

Yep I like Halifax ground.

In our household the game (besides the England semi) we all remember the most was the Rochdale game between Ireland and Fiji....

Its had a positive lasting memory for all of us... A compact ground that seemed full to the rafters, A pre-game drink in the social club attached to the ground, good pie's although I enjoyed most the fish and chips from the chippy the other side of road from turnstiles which I took into the ground and had everyone enviously sniffing the air of fish and chips...

Actually that meant the most in my positive vibes about the last WC here.

[Dave T]

6 minutes ago, redjonn said:

Yep I like Halifax ground.

In our household the game (besides the England semi) we all remember the most was the Rochdale game between Ireland and Fiji....

Its had a positive lasting memory for all of us... A compact ground that seemed full to the rafters, A pre-game drink in the social club attached to the ground, good pie's although I enjoyed most the fish and chips from the chippy the other side of road from turnstiles which I took into the ground and had everyone enviously sniffing the air of fish and chips...

Actually that meant the most in my positive vibes about the last WC here.

I think that's probably the missing element from this one so far, as enjoyable as the events have been. 

[Ragingbull]

I can't help but feel that York,  Rochdale, Halifax or even Salford could have been great venues for some of the group games.  I can't see the need for Saints. Leigh, Wire and Bolton to have so many games between them. 

Obviously everyone feels the same about having a game in Boro,  there seems split views on last night and I'm not convinced having tonight's game at FC is the correct call either.

 Such a shame that councils in Bradford, Wakefield and Cumbria are so far behind the times or we might have had some more suitable stadiums to choose from.  

 

Edited October 22, 2022 by Ragingbull

[Madrileño]

1 hour ago, Just Browny said:

 we don't have acceptable facilities in places like Bradford, Wakefield or Cumbria because those are large parts of the RL heartlands who hardly get a look in at this world cup (and for good reason as their grounds are mostly dives),

Correct.

Remember last time the World Cup was here, and we had the Kiwis playing in front of a shed in some Cumbrian village! Embarrassing.

I think that although crowds are dismal, one of the strong points of this World Cup is that the organisers have ensured matched are played in proper stadia, facilities that are fit for the top class athletes who are taking part. 

 

[Madrileño]

17 minutes ago, redjonn said:

Yep I like Halifax ground.

In our household the game (besides the England semi) we all remember the most was the Rochdale game between Ireland and Fiji....

Its had a positive lasting memory for all of us... A compact ground that seemed full to the rafters, A pre-game drink in the social club attached to the ground, good pie's although I enjoyed most the fish and chips from the chippy the other side of road from turnstiles which I took into the ground and had everyone enviously sniffing the air of fish and chips...

Actually that meant the most in my positive vibes about the last WC here.

I was at that game too. Great atmosphere.  

However I feel that we have moved on as a sport in the last 9 years, and if the World Cup is ever going to grow we need to be moving away from grounds like Rochdale Hornets. 

Just my opinion.

[redjonn]

5 minutes ago, Ragingbull said:

I can't help but feel that Rochdale, Halifax or even Salford could have been great venues for some of the group games.  I can't see the need for Saints. Leigh, Wire and Bolton to have so many games between them. 

Obviously everyone feels the same about having a game in Boro,  there seems split views on last night and I'm not convinced having tonight's game at FC is the correct call either.

 Such a shame that councils in Bradford, Wakefield and Cumbria are so far behind the times or we might have had some more suitable stadiums to choose from.  

 

The other aspect of the Rochdale game between Ireland and Fiji was the connection between Rochdale and Fiji.

That was all part of a good promotional effort to encourage people to attend. Also the pub we started off in was again full to the rafters of Irish and Fijians (if such a word).

It all added to the pre-game positive expectations, added immensely by feeling you were part of something special with the all-be-it small stadium looking full and a great atmosphere. Giving a warm glow about our sport and as I've said a lasting memory for a great sport.

Then reading about games like the Bristol one and games in Workington/Cumbria all subsequent added filling a huge well of anticipation as we went into later rounds.

To-date I have not felt that aspect for this WC yet.

[Leyther_Matt]

46 minutes ago, David Shepherd said:

That's a fair point.  They probably should have kept the stand where the cameras were located off sale to bunch people up a bit more.

That would have hugely limited the F&B facilities for fans though which wouldn’t have been a good experience (especially in such weather and with disastrous traffic problems). Even more so with visibly so many local RU fans for whom that will be an important part of the experience. 

[Jim from Oz]

 

TOTAL after week 1: 95,243 (11,905 per match)

Australia-Scotland : 10,276 

UPDATED TOTAL: 105,519  (average: 11,724 )

TARGETS:

2000 RLWC: 263,921

(8,514 per match)

 

2017 RLWC: 382,080

(13,646 per match)

 

2013 RLWC: 458,483

(16,374 per match)

 

2022 WOMEN’S EURO: 574,865

(18,544 per match)

 

ORIGINAL TARGET: 750,000

 

[redjonn]

5 minutes ago, Madrileño said:

I was at that game too. Great atmosphere.  

However I feel that we have moved on as a sport in the last 9 years, and if the World Cup is ever going to grow we need to be moving away from grounds like Rochdale Hornets. 

Just my opinion.

Maybe but its all about timing I guess. To me we ain't moved sufficiently yet to meet your ideal.

[redjonn]

26 minutes ago, Madrileño said:

Correct.

Remember last time the World Cup was here, and we had the Kiwis playing in front of a shed in some Cumbrian village! Embarrassing.

I think that although crowds are dismal, one of the strong points of this World Cup is that the organisers have ensured matched are played in proper stadia, facilities that are fit for the top class athletes who are taking part. 

 

good point, although small stadium doesn't have to mean poor facilities.

 

[Madrileño]

1 minute ago, redjonn said:

good point, although small stadium doesn't have to mean poor facilities.

 

Absolutely agree.

York (which I think is a women's WC venue?) could have been a good small stadium option for a game veywrrn 2 of the small nations.