General Warriors crowds concern NRL

[IanS_old]

Attendances drop 1000 a game

By Josh Massoud
June 10, 2006

NRL crowds have dipped considerably from boom figures last season, with attendances down almost 1000 fans a game.

The halfway mark of 2006 sees games attracting an average of 15,912 people.

After 13 rounds last season the mark stood at 16,822 - 910 more per game.

The worrying slip is a stark reverse trend amid growing TV ratings, soaring merchandise sales and unpredictable results.

Clubs struggling to match the heady days of 2005 are blaming everything from chilly temperatures to rail maintenance for the downturn.

And with football and State of Origin certain to dominate attention over the next month, the NRL concedes there is little chance of exceeding last year's record average of 16,468.

In a concerning development, nine of the 15 teams are attracting fewer punters than at last year's midpoint.

Six of those outfits - the Bulldogs, Roosters, Sharks, Panthers, Raiders and Warriors - have experienced a drop of more than 20 per cent.

Sharks CEO Greg Pierce said the team's miserable 1-4 start explained the dive from 17,110 last season to 12,689 now.

"Three of those losses were at home and when we upset the Cowboys [in round 7] there was not a big crowd here to see it," Pierce said.

Rail maintenance on the day of the club's biggest home game against neighbours St George Illawarra didn't help.

"That probably cost us a couple of thousand people," Pierce said.

The Sharks would also prefer to play certain games on Sunday afternoons - a stance at odds with the club's modern era Saturday night love affair.

"You do get more families on a Sunday and travelling fans will come from places like Newcastle because they can get home earlier," Pierce said.

Canberra CEO Simon Hawkins is even more desperate for daylight.

After watching the Raiders crowds plummet by nearly a third, Hawkins is "constantly" asking for Sundays.

"The weather down here can get very cold, especially at night," he added.

NRL marketing manager Paul Kind nominated the Warriors - now the lowest drawing team - as the biggest concern.

Despite the downturn, the NRL will not embark on radical changes such as free weekends to combat traditionally stagnant mid-season crowds.

 

[playdaball_old]

It has been discussed many times and for the Warriors there is probabaly one major solution - winning.

Like Canberra Sunday afternoon games may be more appealing. I would like to see stats to show if crowds turn out on afternoons or nights.

 

[moonfire_old]

There is a simple reason

I don't blame the 4 points or the salary cap scandel. I blame the new East Stand. It used to cost $20 to sit anywhere on the east side of the ground. You had no cover, and the seats were smaller, but you got a good view. Now $25 gets you a seat on a horrible angle, and if your not a season ticket holder, often on the twenty metre line. Those dedicated fans such as myself have moved to the south stand as they can justify paying $14 for crap seats, not $25. Those not as dedicated (Foolish) have just stopped going and watch on telly.

 

[JonB_old]

I thought DMM would of had this solved by now....

 

[warriors4life_old]

The main thing is that we have been inconsistent for three seasons now, people are losing the faith, and will only regain it when we start winning.

 

[Jackal_old]

all the above are true...LOWER THE TICKET PRICES MANAGEMENT *sighs* there is no way the average family can afford $60+ easily per game for aveage seats plus food...what are they thinking.


Incase anyone from mgt reads this here is what pricing should be lile:

South Stand - $10 adults - $5 children

West stand lower - $18 adults - $14 children

West Stand upper - $25 adult - $20 children

and the same for the eastern stand.


Home games need to be promoted as an affordable day out for the family, not having to refinance the house to watch an inconsistent team every week!

 

[Kav_old]

I can understand fans choosing to stay in the comfort of their own homes (or local) and gain extra benefits of commentary, replays and pre and post game analysis rather than venturing out in Auckland's traffic and weather with a 50/50 chance of watching their team perform up to expectations.

Kav

 

[Skinny_Ravs82]

While most of the thigns suggested are true, I also feel it comes down to personal choice. Everything in life is money; we all know that and it's just up to the individual on how much they are willing to spend. If you don't mind it, then money should not be an issue.

 

[one-eyed-warrior_old]

Id go more often if the games were at 4:30, I dont finish work till 2:30 now, I only live ten minutes away.

 

[Esoj_old]

wining will solve part of the problem. as others have said ticket pricing has affected numbers as well. the style as well I think plays a part too. the blues had a crap season in the super 14 but people still showed up because of the style the blues were playing.

the crowds will return I think once the warriors win a few games.

 

[mosh_old]

WARRIORS VS KNIGHTS 18th JUNE

West / East Stand
Upper Covered Seating - central sections $60 Adult
$30 Child


West / East Stand Upper Covered Seating $40 Adult
$20 Child


West / East Stand Lower Uncovered Seating $30 Adult
$12 Child
$72 Family


South Stand Uncovered Seating $15 Adult
$7 Child
$37 Family

 

[sebastian_old]

I think its all of the above , people don't wanna pay a lot of money to see there team capitulate & lose, its just too depressing. We have to create a winning team starting with the roosters cause if we lose to them its gonna be 6000 & then mangagment will really be in the shit. If they want it to change next year fix the teams problems eg. get a decent 1st grade 5/8. Replace webb with a decent 1st grader so we don't get even worse. Especially if webb doesn't get replaced propally you'll be looking at 6000 for sure maybe worse. They've saved A LOT of money getting rid of players this year so no more crappy fringe first graders, please!!

 

[2big2strong_old]

Prices have nothing at all to do with it!!!!! You Aucklanders have got some of the cheapest tickets in the NRL and you don't know how lucky you are! ! ! I live in Brisbane and the average price you'll pay just to get through the gate is $30, and thats a seat with no view in the nosebleeds. When i see you people whining over a $14 ticket it makes me angry!
The reason the crowds are down is because...
* we've got one of the poorest home-win averages in the comp
* it's almost always poor weather in Auckland
* us Kiwi's are the worst for only backing a team when they're winning.

it seems when the Warriors are on a roll you've got fans coming out of the woodwork, every Kiwi wants a piece of the cake, when we go through a slump 9 out of 10 Kiwi's are the first to slaughter them. that's why crowds are down. please don't let me hear you guys complaining about ticket prices again, it really is selfish.

 

[playdaball_old]

Hold the phone Blocker ...

The Butcher had a special price in the South Stand ONLY $15 (or a similar type of price) for a family of 5, yet the stand was still less than 25% full.

The club is currently running a special whereby punters get a pie and a beer (value @ $8.00) plus a covered seat on the Western Stand for $37.00.

Somebody at our work and free tickets nobody wanted them.

Is price really the issue?

 

[KeepingTheFaith_old]

$30 for nosebleed seats in Brisbane?

I went to the Brisbane V Melbourne playoff game in 2004. I was front row behind the goalposts and it only cost me $30.

Went to the Warriors game last year in round 2. Same seats, same section, same price. Have prices gone up considerably this year? Guess I'll find out come round 26.

As for the Warriors, I definately think the salary cap has played its part. A lot of fans are angry with the club for what happened. Add that to the incredible inconsistency of this team then it's no wonder fans would rather stay home.

Does anyone know what the TV ratings are like for Warriors or league in general over there in NZ?

 

[2big2strong_old]

$30 for nosebleed seats in Brisbane?

I went to the Brisbane V Melbourne playoff game in 2004. I was front row behind the goalposts and it only cost me $30.
Went to the Warriors game last year in round 2. Same seats, same section, same price. Have prices gone up considerably this year? Guess I'll find out come round 26.

As for the Warriors, I definately think the salary cap has played its part. A lot of fans are angry with the club for what happened. Add that to the incredible inconsistency of this team then it's no wonder fans would rather stay home.

Does anyone know what the TV ratings are like for Warriors or league in general over there in NZ?

could you see anything?

I had similar seats in the very front row, on on the left corner behind the south goal posts a few weeks ago, $34 each and i spent 80 minutes of the game looking at the big screen because i couldn't even make out who had the ball unless someone scored a try in my corner (which they didn't) whereas by the sounds of it, those same seats are only $14 at erriccson stadium. you could get 2 adults and a child for the price of my poor quality seat. you know what i mean?

 

[D Generation X_old]

its been discussed in this website like alot of times so its a really big concern

 

[warriors4life_old]

I think the deal for $15 for a family was very good, but nobody really took advantage of it. The price of the tickets is an issue, but I think the way the team is going is probably more important to the fans.

 

[moonfire_old]

Please remember exchange rates.

 

[2big2strong_old]

Please remember exchange rates.

umm.... who are you referring to.


Suncorp Stadium tickets : AU$34.00 = NZ$40.2540

Erricson Stadium tickets : NZ$14.00 = AU$11.8249

for the same seats, so shut your whining.