Round 11 of the BKT United Rugby Championship set a new attendance record when 123,307 fans packed into stadiums across both hemispheres.
League leaders Leinster played in front of two packed houses over the Christmas and New Year period during victories away to Munster in Limerick and at home to Connacht in Dublin.
“It’s absolutely fantastic to see that turnout,” said Leinster and Ireland star Jack Conan. “St Stephen’s Day and New Year’s Day are massive times of the year here in Ireland and to get full houses at Thomond Park and the RDS is really special. It just shows you the interest, how big rugby is culturally, and how many people are getting behind it.”
“The atmosphere has been fantastic. You can really feel the crowd behind you. It’s a testament to the strength of the game in Ireland at the moment and hopefully, it’s something that continues to grow over the next few years and we keep getting more and more sell-out crowds.”
“It just feeds into the love of the game and the energy around the place and how much the lads want to play for the jersey when it’s a full house.”
The week before Round 11, the Christmas derbies set the previous milestone with 117,000 fans turning up to games and the record 123,000 that showed up the following weekend nudged up the average attendance in the BKT URC to 12,500.
“We went through that Covid period where I don’t think anybody enjoyed playing in empty stadiums,” added Leinster coach Robin McBryde.
“It’s a two-way thing. You feed from the supporters, they get energised and excited by watching the players.”
“To have full houses and healthy crowds is great. It makes an occasion of a game. As a supporter, you go to a match and you want to leave with that feel-good factor. The season is starting to take shape now, there is going to be a lot more to play for and hopefully, that feel-good factor will continue.”
Cardiff Rugby also featured in two sold-out fixtures over the festive period, away to Dragons RFC on Boxing Day and home to the Ospreys on New Year’s Day. They are set for another bumper attendance this Saturday when the Scarlets are the visitors to the Arms Park.
Sport for Business Perspective:
Professional sport is an expensive business to maintain and big crowds with their ticketing, merchandise and other revenues are a key component. With the Heineken Cup having struggled with the visit of a depleted Gloucester to the RDS in December and a perceived lessening of jeopardy in its group stage this season, as well as the travails impacting the English Premiership, it is ever more important that the United Rugby Championship continues to build a solid base.
