Spectator Record for Round One of Super League
The Rugby Football League Executive Chairman Richard Lewis has hailed the record breaking achievement of Round One of Tetley's Rugby Super League IX.
The six matches which made up the first week of the 2004 season attracted a total of 69,499 spectators.
This bumper turnout shattered a number of Super League milestones:
It broke the record aggregate attendance for any Round of Super League matches ( the previous best was 62,274 set by 7 matches in '99) - also giving a new record average of 11,583.
It broke the record aggregate attendance for the opening Round of any Super League season (the previous best was 55,040 at 6 matches in March 1997).
It was also the first time any Round of Super League games contained four attendances of 10,000 or more.
Tetley's Rugby Super League Round One also set a new record for an opening Round attendance at a single game in the UK. The Bradford Bulls v Wigan Warriors game attracted 17,267 supporters (the previous best being
16,572)
Elsewhere during the weekend, 15,119 people turned out to see Leeds Rhinos open their campaign at Headingley , 14,206 - Warrington Wolves' biggest home crowd for 26 years - attended opening night at Halliwell-Jones
Stadium and 12,532 attended Knowsley Road for the St Helens v Hull FC game.
Salford City Reds and Huddersfield Giants also attracted attendances which beat their average gates last season.
Commenting on the weekend, Richard Lewis said: 'I am delighted for the clubs, their staff and their players that Tetley's Rugby Super League IX has got off to such a magnificent start and proved to be a record breaker by such a significant margin'.
'Round One featured some fantastic moments including Lesley Vainikolo's record equalling five try haul and the vibrant atmosphere at the new Halliwell-Jones Stadium. We have enjoyed a fantastic start but the good news is that we can all look forward to much more excitement and entertainment in the course of the season'.
Lewis added: 'The increase in crowds comes off the back of the great work many clubs have been undertaking by selling and promoting the sport in their respective communities. This has been carried out in partnership with the Club Support Unit and we believe with this approach we will continue to grow the popularity of Tetley's Rugby Super League competition and the whole sport'.
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
The six matches which made up the first week of the 2004 season attracted a total of 69,499 spectators.
This bumper turnout shattered a number of Super League milestones:
16,572)
Elsewhere during the weekend, 15,119 people turned out to see Leeds Rhinos open their campaign at Headingley , 14,206 - Warrington Wolves' biggest home crowd for 26 years - attended opening night at Halliwell-Jones
Stadium and 12,532 attended Knowsley Road for the St Helens v Hull FC game.
Salford City Reds and Huddersfield Giants also attracted attendances which beat their average gates last season.
Commenting on the weekend, Richard Lewis said: 'I am delighted for the clubs, their staff and their players that Tetley's Rugby Super League IX has got off to such a magnificent start and proved to be a record breaker by such a significant margin'.
'Round One featured some fantastic moments including Lesley Vainikolo's record equalling five try haul and the vibrant atmosphere at the new Halliwell-Jones Stadium. We have enjoyed a fantastic start but the good news is that we can all look forward to much more excitement and entertainment in the course of the season'.
Lewis added: 'The increase in crowds comes off the back of the great work many clubs have been undertaking by selling and promoting the sport in their respective communities. This has been carried out in partnership with the Club Support Unit and we believe with this approach we will continue to grow the popularity of Tetley's Rugby Super League competition and the whole sport'.
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