What factors explain the reduction in SL play-off attendances (not including Grand Finals) since the introduction of the Top 8 play-off format?



[uTop 5 play-off system (1998 to 2001)[/u

248,342 attended 20 play-off fixtures at an average of 12,417



[uTop 6 play-off system (2002 to 200icon_cool.gif[/u

468,499 attended 35 play-off fixtures at an average of 13,386



[uTop 8 play-off system (2009 to 2013)[/u

348,304 attended 37 play-off fixtures at an average of 9,414



SL play-off attendances under the Top 8 format have fallen by almost 30% in comparison to the Top 6 format era and they've fallen by over 24% in comparison to the Top 5 format era.

Quote William Eve="William Eve"What factors explain the reduction in SL play-off attendances (not including Grand Finals) since the introduction of the Top 8 play-off format? [uTop 5 play-off system (1998 to 2001)[/u 248,342 attended 20 play-off fixtures at an average of 12,417 [uTop 6 play-off system (2002 to 200icon_cool.gif[/u 468,499 attended 35 play-off fixtures at an average of 13,386 [uTop 8 play-off system (2009 to 2013)[/u 348,304 attended 37 play-off fixtures at an average of 9,414 SL play-off attendances under the Top 8 format have fallen by almost 30% in comparison to the Top 6 format era and they've fallen by over 24% in comparison to the Top 5 format era.'" Here's another graph that might explain things: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8242825.stm

Quote William Eve="William Eve"What factors explain the reduction in SL play-off attendances (not including Grand Finals) since the introduction of the Top 8 play-off format? [uTop 5 play-off system (1998 to 2001)[/u 248,342 attended 20 play-off fixtures at an average of 12,417 [uTop 6 play-off system (2002 to 200icon_cool.gif[/u 468,499 attended 35 play-off fixtures at an average of 13,386 [uTop 8 play-off system (2009 to 2013)[/u 348,304 attended 37 play-off fixtures at an average of 9,414 SL play-off attendances under the Top 8 format have fallen by almost 30% in comparison to the Top 6 format era and they've fallen by over 24% in comparison to the Top 5 format era.'" Here's another graph that might explain things: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8242825.stm

Quote craigizzard="craigizzard"Here's another graph that might explain things: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8242825.stm'" Not really, though it could be one contributing factor among many others. It is to be hoped those in positions of power and influence in the game aren't simplistically blaming the economy in it's entirety.

Quote craigizzard="craigizzard"Here's another graph that might explain things: news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8242825.stm'" Not really, though it could be one contributing factor among many others. It is to be hoped those in positions of power and influence in the game aren't simplistically blaming the economy in it's entirety.

How much is a student ticket on the gate tonight?

[url=http://www.therhinos.co.uk/tickets/information.php#.UjxPd4asiSo£13 standing, £16-£22 seated[/url

I agree William.And have stated on many threads what i think of the current 8 team format, and really hope we go back to top 5.



It has to be said though that these attendance figures could be skewed by the fact that less well supported clubs have feature in the 8 team format.Cats don't have an away following.Bradford had a big following when they featured regular in the 5/6 team format.And it was always pretty much the bigger clubs that met in the early days who have a decent following i.e Bradford,Saints,Leeds,Wigan,Warrington and Hull.So them teams playing each other is bound to lift the average.



Personally i think the interest in the games leading up to the final has always been pretty much the same whatever the system, a groundbreaking solution needs to be found.I dont have it i am afraid.

Ah nice one! Thank you.

Kinda depressing stats william lad.



Why do you think the playoffs are attended so poorly in comparison to regular season? You've done numerous other comparisons elsewhere and playoff attendances come up short. I've read your musings on how super league has spawned a generation of fans only interested in season tickets and less so in paying extra for an individual game (unless of course it's a final).



I'm sure theres other factors at play though.

I agree with the gist of what you're saying above, Re: bigger clubs meeting, bigger followings, potential for skewed attendances as a result.



So let's look at play-off fixtures between the same teams and the attendances under different formats.



[uLeeds V Wigan[/u

=#FF00002010: 13,693 (Top 8 format)

2008: 13,112 (Top 6 format)

2007: 16,112 (Top 6 format)

2004: 20,119 (Top 6 format)

2003: 17,264 (Top 6 format)



[uWigan V Leeds[/u

=#FF00002012: 8,235 (Top 8 format)

2010: 9,987 (Top 8 format)

2002: 13,157 (Top 6 format)

1998: 12,941 (Top 5 format)



[uLeeds V Hull[/u

=#FF00002012: 9,075 (Top 8 format)

2002: 12,123 (Top 6 format)



[uWigan V Castleford[/u

=#FF00002009: 8,689 (Top 8 format)

1999: 13,374 (Top 5 format)



[uWigan V St Helens[/u

=#FF00002011: 12,893 (Top 8 format)

2004: 20,052 (Top 6 format)

2003: 21,790 (Top 6 format)

2001: 19,260 (Top 5 format)



[uSt Helens V Wigan[/u

=#FF00002011: 9,421 (Top 8 format)

2009: 13,087 (Top 8 format)

2002: 15,100 (Top 6 format)



[uWarrington V Hull[/u

=#FF00002012: 7,323 (Top 8 format)

2005: 12,243 (Top 6 format)



[uHull V Huddersfield[/u

=#FF00002012: 8,662 (Top 8 format)

2007: 12,140 (Top 6 format)



What do we make of these comparative play-off attendances played under different formats?

Solution as follows:



- Add the maximum number of playoff games to the season ticket price. Say for example 3 x £20.



- Club ends up with one home playoff game that season.



- Discount next years season ticket purchase by £40.



Fan isn't short changed and is more likely to buy next years season ticket.

Looking forward to the game tonight, nothing like sudden death rugby, hopefully we play similar to two weeks ago and give Saints a hiding

I think all it goes to show is how pish poor the standard of rugby is now compared to how it was several years ago.

That added to the apathy of many supporters how the game is been run and we no longer get to see marquee players from Australia and NZ has clearly had a down turn on attendances.