Key facts
- Overall attendance for the opening games of the Prem Rugby season has dipped.
- Newcastle Red Bulls' first home crowd almost doubled following their takeover, with 10,210 fans attending their match against Saracens.
- Bristol Bears had the best attendance in the first two rounds with 20,976 for their home game.
- Sale Sharks experienced the worst attendance drop, with their stadium less than half full for their first home game against Gloucester.
- Comparing like-for-like fixtures after two rounds shows an 8.6% decline in attendance across the league.
Prem Rugby clubs have seen mixed success with ticketing for the opening games of the season, with an overall dip in attendance despite some clubs experiencing significant increases. Newcastle Red Bulls, following their takeover, saw their first home crowd nearly double to 10,210 for their match against Saracens. This surge contrasts with the league's overall attendance figures, which have seen a slight decrease when comparing corresponding fixtures from the previous season.
Bristol Bears recorded the highest attendance in the first two rounds with 20,976 spectators for their home game. However, Sale Sharks experienced the most significant drop, with their stadium less than half full for their opening home fixture against Gloucester. Saracens also saw a disappointing turnout of 6,609 for their home game against Bristol.
When comparing like-for-like fixtures, the league as a whole experienced an 8.6% decline in attendance from the previous season. This metric highlights a different picture than the initial comparison of first home games, where there was a 2.7% increase year-on-year. Clubs like Exeter, Leicester, Saracens, and Gloucester have seen significant drops when using this like-for-like comparison.