New NRL crowd record looms as fans flock to the footy

The NRL is on track to break its crowd attendance record for the second consecutive season as fans flock to the football ahead of the finals.

A total of 3,581,411 fans have attended during the first 25 rounds of the season (excluding Magic Round) at an average of 19,050 a game.

Magic Round is not included because the eight games are played as double and triple-headers over three nights and only three crowds are recorded.

The previous mark occurred last year when 3,797,922 spectators streamed through the turnstiles over 27 rounds.

A new mark will be set if 216,511 more fans punters – at an average of 13,532 a game – attend the final two rounds.

Given some of the marquee matches that remain next week – the Broncos hosting Melbourne, the traditional Roosters-Rabbitohs clash, and Canterbury hosting the Cowboys – it is likely a new mark will be set.

“We’ve gone from one record-breaking year to another, and fans have been outstanding,” NRL chief executive Andrew Abdo said.

“It’s been an exciting season with exceptional football, and we have some great final-round matches to come which will decide the make-up of the top eight.”

The NRL season kicked off in spectacular fashion with a double-header in Las Vegas – the first competition games held in the United States – and that momentum has continued and will almost certainly result in a new record being set after round 27.

“The strong support from fans is testament to the great work of the players and clubs,” Abdo said.

“I can’t wait for a massive final two rounds and an epic finals series.”

Despite a difficult season to date, the Warriors have continued to captivate the imagination of fans. All of the club’s home games were sold out this year, continuing the “Up the Wahs” momentum from a breakout 2023 season.

Manly have again turned 4 Pines Park into a fortress, selling out – and winning – all of their games except for a Friday 6pm clash against Canberra. The “sold out” sign has already been put up for the final-round clash against Cronulla.

“All Manly supporters have gotten behind the team, and it’s helped the home ground performance,” Manly chief executive Tony Mestrov said.

“We want to make it as tough for opposition sides as possible. We’ve done that and the crowd has been amazing. The players have really noticed the difference this year.

“As a club, we’ve tried to enhance the game-day experience.”

Mestrov, coach Anthony Seibold and general manager of football John Bonasera undertook a study trip in the off-season that included So-Fi Stadium, the home of the LA Rams, and the Brooklyn Nets’ Barclays Center.

“We brought back lots of learnings, and we’ve been able to put that in place in some way at 4 Pines Park this year,” Mestrov said.

“Another factor is that 4 Pines and the other microbreweries in the Brookvale area are hugely busy and enhancing the amount of people coming to our home games as well.”

The Bulldogs have enjoyed a resurgence of their own and remain in the hunt for a top-four spot. They haven’t lost at home all season and are expecting another big home crowd when they host the Cowboys in the final round after several weeks on the road.

“It’s nice to be back,” Canterbury coach Cameron Ciraldo said.

“We had a big period where we had to be prepared to play anyone, anywhere, anytime … all we are worried about is getting back home to Accor this week, which we’re really excited about. We’ve been away for a long time and we’re really excited about that.”

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