Attendances at Zurich Premiership matches have surged over 24% compared to this period last year, according to Premier Rugby Limited.

After 60 games this season, the average gate per game is 9,432 compared with 8,562 per game in 2003/04 (up over 10% on an average comparison) and nineteen (19) games have sold out, effectively 30% of all Zurich Premiership games played. Over 560,000 fans have passed through the turnstiles at Zurich Premiership grounds and seven of the 12 Zurich Premiership clubs are, on average, playing to capacities of over 85%.

Attendances in the second half of the season have historically been stronger than the first half. Last season, 40% of the matches in the second half of the season were sold out. Premier Rugby Limited expects the percentage growth in attendances to increase in the second half of the season and is forecasting the number of matches which sell-out in the second half of the season will rise to over 50%.

The data, which includes all Zurich Premiership matches up to Round 10 or September 26th 2004, is further evidence of the growing popularity of the professional club game in England.

Premier Rugby Limited believes stadia capacity and quality remains the key strategic challenge for the professional game in England. Already many clubs can’t meet local demand because of restricted ground capacities. To meet this forecast demand, the average capacity at premiership rugby clubs needs to rise to 15,000 at an estimated cost of £100m. This is an issue which should be central to the English Rugby Limited strategic plan.

Despite the recent lack of progress or emphasis on this issue at England Rugby Limited, Premier Rugby Limited will continue to seek a long term resolution of this challenge.

Attendance data is available on request.

Further information:

Howard Thomas, CEO Premier Rugby Limited: 0208 334 8280