Sunday 15 September 2019

UK Championship Attendances : 2017-2019

Attendances in the UK Championship second division are very strong and getting stronger. Over 189 matches in 2019, a total average of exceeding 2,400 per match is very satisfactory. The total was over 450,000 which was a huge increase. (If one adds qualifier games in 2017, it was 340,000, 180 matches,  average 1,855). I cannot go back too far historically but what I do have shows 2019 by some distance the best attended season.

Toronto hasn't played all its home games at home due to early season weather so its played three 'home' games in the UK, two of which were double header affairs. I have included those games in the Toronto figure but I do feel it's not ideal for the Canadian based side to be effectively forfeiting home matches. The first real home attendance was an all time Championship record and a full house.

Widnes got relegated and then suffered financial strife, having points deducted for this campaign as a consequence. However, with new owners and renewed optimism, the crowd support has been excellent. Numbers were only down 15% on last years average, despite being in a lower division in 2019!

With nearly all the teams registering higher attendance figures, the Championship has a real buzz to it. If a side like Toronto was to be promoted, it may affect the average. That would depend on which team comes down to replace them. Overall an amazingly successful 2019 in the Championship and 2020 looking like another cracker season.

The figures below do not include any playoff matches. Last updated 24.09.19.


CHAMPIONSHIP – Reg season only


2019 2018 2017

1 Toronto 6,638 Toronto 5,781 Hull KR 7,351

2 Bradford 4,340 Leigh 3,539 Bradford 4,119

3 Widnes 3,928 Toulouse 2,437 Featherstone 2,457

4 Leigh 3,241 Featherstone 2,316 Toulouse 2,154

5 Toulouse 2,472 Halifax 1,752 Halifax 1,695

6 Featherstone 2,304 Barrow 1,239 Batley 1,150

7 York 2,125 Batley 1,082 Dewsbury 1,089

8 Halifax 1,761 Dewsbury 1,001 Rochdale 878

9 Barrow 1,387 London 861 Oldham 815

10 Batley 1,335 Swinton 840 London 804

11 Dewsbury 1,231 Sheffield 704 Swinton 791

12 Swinton 1,079 Rochdale 549 Sheffield 626

13 Sheffield 944


14 Rochdale 766



Summer B 15,070 Summer B 11,805 Summer B 16,444

Matches 189 Matches 138 Matches 138

Total 456,448 Total 249,125 Total 279,664

Avg 2,415 Avg 1,805 Avg 2,027

2 comments:

Kevin Nicholas said...

The Batley Bulldogs average for 2019 is incorrect. If you send me your record of each gate i will advise you of any errors.

RayCee said...

Will do, thanks.