European Attendances : 1985-86 to 1989-90

During this five year period, there was a mixture of 14 to 16 teams in the first division. 21 sides were involved, some briefly. The only one that surpassed five figures was Wigan, well above the rest Then eight sides were between 5,000 and 10,000 average spectators. Over half couldn't manage to reach 5,000.

Many of the teams below played in modestly populated areas but cities like Bradford were surprisingly poorly attended. The game going to the summertime certainly had a positive effect.

SL Attendances 1985-86 to 1989-90
		Average	1989-90	1988-89	1987-88	1986-87	1985-86
1	Wigan	14,137	13,973	14,557	13,021	14,691	14,441
2	Leeds	9,964	12,233	12,060	9,910	7,620	7,995
3	St Helens	8,430	8,555	9,713	8,416	8,516	6,948
4	Halifax	6,447	-	8,025	6,506	5,628	5,628
5	Widnes	6,400	7,858	8,802	6,262	4,431	4,649
6	Hull FC	6,346	6,218	6,804	5,111	6,390	7,206
7	Castleford	5,510	6,428	6,840	4,521	5,491	4,271
8	Hull KR	5,120	-	5,246	4,187	5,367	5,679
9	Oldham	5,036	-	5,858	-	4,525	4,726
10	Bradford	4,970	5,584	4,969	4,723	4,976	4,597
11	Warrington	4,853	5,412	4,893	4,970	4,814	4,176
12	Leigh	4,678	4,634	-	4,516	4,883	-
13	Wakefield	4,550	5,456	5,151	-	3,042	-
14	Sheffield	4,038	4,038	-	-	-	-
15	Salford	3,639	3,713	4,917	3,727	2,931	2,908
16	Featherstone	3,582	4,264	4,379	-	3,008	2,678
17	York	3,283	-	-	-	-	3,283
18	Swinton	3,055	-	-	2,987	-	3,122
19	Hunslet	2,678	-	-	2,678	-	-
20	Barrow	2,536	1,997	-	-	3,074	-
21	Dewsbury	2,099	-	-	-	-	2,099
	TOT AVG	5,799	6,455	7,301	5,824	4,842	4,572
	TOTAL	5,822,802	1,174,723	1,328,798	1,059,964	1,162,023	1,097,294

For the next five year period, simply click here.
The previous five years can be easily accessed by clicking here.

Data source: Rugby League Project.