Super League attendances down slightly with every club's crowds analysed

St Helens and Castleford Tigers are among the Super League clubs who are enjoying an increase in attendances this season but half of the competition’s teams have seen crowds fall. Rugby League Live has compared top-flight attendances so far this year to crowds throughout the 2019 campaign, the last year when clubs were able to operate at full capacity.

After the Covid-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, Super League sides were forced to play games behind closed doors and with restricted crowds. But, with all restrictions having been lifted this season, clubs have been able to fully open their doors to fans and champions St Helens have enjoyed a number of bumper crowds.

Kristian Woolf’s side, who are chasing an unprecedented fourth successive Super League title, have seen their average home game increase by 15% from 11,910 in 2019 to an average of 13,711 so far this season. Castleford, meanwhile, have seen an even more dramatic increase from three seasons ago – a 23% rise in their average home game from 7,253 to 8,932.

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Hull Kingston Rovers are up 3% from 8,220 in 2019 to 8,474 during the current campaign. Two clubs who have traditionally struggled for home crowds are Salford Red Devils and Huddersfield Giants. Yet both teams have seen a rise in attendances this season compared to 2019.

Salford have so far enjoyed a 13% increase from 3,746 in 2019 to 4,232 this year. The Giants are up 5% from 5,226 three seasons ago to 5,501 during the current campaign.

Yet the other six clubs in Super League during 2019 – Wigan Warriors, Leeds Rhinos, Warrington Wolves, Wakefield Trinity, Catalans Dragons and Hull FC – have all seen their average home games