As we wait impatiently for the third round of the Six Nations (15-16 April), let’s have a look at attendances.
How are they growing, and how should the unions react to the increased interest in the tournament?
We’ve got used to new gate records being set, but we shouldn’t get blasé about them. They can even bring their own problems.
Contrast the ‘full house’ at Kingston Park Newcastle this year with the ‘full house’ at Goldington Road Bedford in 2019. That’s 10,200 against 5,000. In fact it wasn’t quite full at Kingston Park, according to the figures provided (only 10,053), but that still represents more than double the 2019 gate. Both England’s first two matches have attracted 5-figure gates, 12,947 turning up at Northampton for the Italy match.
For Wales last year’s record at the Arms Park of 4,875 was overtaken this year with 4962 for Wales v Ireland. Now news breaks that the ground is sold out for the England game; over 8.000 tickets bought. Only hospitality areas are still on limited offer.
Starting from a lower base, Scotland set a new record last year of 3,988 at the DAM Health Stadium. The SRU made the bold decision to switch from the well regarded stadium at Scotstoun, Glasgow, across to the capital. Visiting teams have commented on the vibrant atmosphere created there.
As for Ireland, 5,214 turned up at Musgrave Park Cork to see the France game – excellent. But the ground capacity is over 8.000, so there is is still some catching-up to do. And ever-critical Irish voices are wondering when the national stadium will be offered to the national team.
It will be instructive to discover the size of crowds for the two home France matches. They have long been the market leaders, but since setting an amazing new attendance record of 17,440 in Grenoble in 2018, they haven’t managed to surpass it.
Despite Wales’ great improvement this season, they can’t expect to attract quite the same attention as another Crunch. But this year of course England are the hosts, and everyone is hoping for a bumper crowd to descend on TW2. It’s a vital step in aiming for a full house (82,000!), come the final of the 2025 World Cup. That’s called aiming high.
