OVERALL MATCH ATTENDANCE in the United Rugby Championship increased this season by 36%, breaking the previous records of all iterations of the competition.
All 16 URC clubs welcomed more fans through their turnstiles in 2022/23 than was the case last season, albeit a portion of the 2021/22 season saw some constituent countries still affected by Covid-19 restrictions.
The inclusion of the South African franchises and, by extension, increased jeopardy in the competition has seen the average match attendance rise to almost 10,000 (9,893), the highest its ever been in any form of the league.
Munster’s semi-final victory over Leinster set a record attendance (26,795) for a non-final play-off game in Ireland or the UK, while the Stormers continue to break their own play-off records with crowds of 44,109 for their quarter-final win over the Bulls and 47,261 for their semi-final victory over Connacht.
A sold-out crowd of 55,000 at this Saturday’s final at the Stormers’ DHL Stadium — over 5,000 of whom are expected to be Munster fans — will also set a new yardstick for the competition’s showpiece.
A total of 1,424,520 fans attended regular-season games in 2022/23, with a further 152,954 taking in the quarter- and semi-finals. The 55,000 tickets sold for this weekend’s final will set a new overall season record of 1,632,114.
URC CEO Martin Anayi said of the figures: “We are blown away by the attendance records set across the league this season.
“Our teams put tremendous work into improving their match-day experiences for fans and promoting their games and this should give everyone in rugby great encouragement for next season.
“We are early days still for the URC but it is clear that fans are responding to the draw of the South African sides and the 18-round format which has increased jeopardy and competition across the board.
“The sell-out crowd in Cape Town this weekend is a fantastic sign of interest in URC. However, we are just as pleased with setting a new record for regular-season attendances and there should be great pride across all 16 teams in that collective achievement.”
Put this in another article, but prob more suited here. Franco Smith of Glasgow won URC coach of the year. Friend would have been my pick. Remember when I first said that some said it should be Leo with only one loss in league, not sure if they feel the same way anymore. For Glasgow run to Challange cup final was good, but its URC Coach of the season so that competition doesn’t count in the reckoning. In URC Smith made playoffs and lost at home to Munster in Quarterfinal. For me Friend took Connacht with less resources than Glasgow and a more difficult fixture list, to the playoffs. Connacht were not expected to make playoffs, and made it and HCup, and won an away playoff meaning the went better than Glasgow. Connacht really overachieved this season, Glasgow did about as expected.
@Kingshu: agree 100%
@Kingshu: Would have Friend ahead of him also. Can make an argument for Rowntree also; first season, awful start, Munster playing a better style of rugby, took down 2 long running home winning streaks and are in the final.
Bit pointless to be comparing to last season when there were still some restrictions om attendances in some of the countries.
@0UWMNglt: seems like a nonsense stat alright
I hope the 5000 munster fans get to bring the league home. ( so it won’t have far to travel next season when win it back)
The Welsh clubs are so far behind. Have they ever reached 12,000 at any game? What has to be looked at is attendances at Welsh games. If the show grounds in Galway were enlarged there would be better crowds there.
Would like to see a breakdown per union home games – Ireland, Wales, Italy, South Africa, Scotland etc. You’d have to assume the Welsh regions would have quite a low average attendance. In addition, the SA home games I have seen appear to have very low attendances. Would love to see the non knockout games in SA have greater spectatorship in the stadiums. I remember watching Super rugby back in the early 00s, the fan base in South Africa was off the charts. Bulls, Sharks, Stormers ans The Cats all hvd hihe crowds at games. Was also lucky enough to get to a few fakes down in SA in 10/11 at Newlands. Full house everytime. Place was electric. May take a few years for the SA home base to commit to the URC.
@Steve Mccarthy: apologies for typos. Thumbs like big toes
@Steve Mccarthy: on wiki, its has each clubs average URC attendance.
There was 41,000 for judgement 2023 in the mileneum. Not to shabby. Double header. Lots or rugby fans in Wales, a good portion don’t follow the weslsh regions
@Paul Cassidy: South Africa could say the same. Huge rugby following there, just a lot follow more locally than the URC it would seem. I get it, it’s a huge country, imagine getting flights to follow your “home” team.