SL Attendances : 2026 (half term report)

Attendances for the UK elite division in 2026 are up 0.2% on the complete 2025 figure. A positive result, but barely so. Going to 14 teams has lifted total attendances but as all the new clubs are below the average, it hasn't affected the average. 

A recent issue is playing a few games in the USA. Wigan in 2025 (45,209) and Hull KR in 2026 (45,719) has affected their averages greatly. I just can't ignore their 'home game' overseas and the people that turned up to watch.

I was going to do historical averages as I did with the NRL. However, with promotion and relegation it was going to be fiddly to do. I might do a piece separately on that. 

NRL Attendances : 2026 (half term report) & Much More

Attendances for 2026 are up 5.0% on the complete 2025 figure, and up 32.2%  when compared to the previous years, going back to 2000. A positive result, especially the historical one. The averages below for each club exclude Magic Weekend matches. 

The Dolphins are an anomaly, due to the fact that some of their games are played at their home ground, which is a small suburban one, and the rest that are played at Suncorp Stadium, which is very large. They are also the newest club in the competition, currently in their fourth year. 

Another recent issue is playing a few games in the USA. The Roosters and Sea Eagles benefitted in 2024 (40,746 attendance), Raiders and Panthers in 2025 (45,209), Bulldogs and Knights in 2026 (45,719). This can throw up short term variances as with the Knights and Raiders in 2026. 

France Men's Elite 1: 2025-26

The eleven teams that make up the Elite 1 first division are listed below. The top six spots are sought after, as this determines who makes the finals/

The League: Carcassonne took the league title from Limoux and Pia. Avigon put behind itself a poor previous season to make the finals this year. St Estève-Catalan and Toulouse Olympique have teams playing in the European Super League and act as feeder clubs for them. 

The Finals: Albi and Avignon could hardly be separated in the league and again in the quarter final. It was more decisive in the other match with Limoux too strong for St Estève-Catalan.

Carcassonne and Pia joined the semi finals and their being the top sides in the league showed. Albi put up a brave fight against a much more fancied opponent, going down 12-35. I thought Limoux may have 

kept the score closer.

The two previous finals featured Carcassonne and Albi, Carcassonne won two years ago and Albi last year. Carcassonne was back to make up for the 2025 final loss with a different opponent. It was 12-12 at the break and 30-30 at full time. XIII Pia prevailed in a close and entertaining match. 

The video features the match. You will need to speed past the introduction to see the game and the commentary is in French. Well worth a look.