Reading around, I think attendances are falling at quite a few clubs, but I have not seen any detailed information. But for the HJ, after dropping by just over 7% last year, they are down another 4.5% this year. The worst 'culprit' was the Wigan match which attracted 14,028 last year but only 11,550 this - a drop of 2,478.



Money still tight for people ?, our early season drop in form ?

Probably a bit of both Dave, along with these Thursday night games. With it being a family sport some supporters have stayed away from them with it being a school night for the kids (me included).

Yeah, Thursday night games and a close title race in the football would've caused this I believe. As well as tight pockets and a few 'glory hunters' dropping out.

However 10,000 on Friday was lower than I expected but I'm guessing the North-standers weren't expecting the win or something as the South stand was pretty packed.

worst turn out from leeds i've seen in a while as well.

All of the Home stands had plenty of space in them too , the only part of the ground that looked slightly cramped was the section of the south stand nearest to the west stand ..

The main reason for the general decline across the league in attendances is the decline in player quality. Not necessarily a decline in the standard of the average player but a real shortage in the numbers of top drawer star attractions.



Combine with that a bit of "league fatigue" after Leeds playoff success from 5th in 2011 and 2012. The playoffs have been in place for a while but its been since they showed they can be won from a lower position, that the league has reduced in importance.



Also the ongoing wider economic problems of long term flat wage growth has squeezed peoples disposable incomes and probably made them more likely to pick and choose sports matches.

I was in the south on Friday and it definitely wasn't packed. Was plenty of Space around me

Will we ever get any genuine stars anymore from Aus or NZ?



Look at the cart horse we signed.

.... and with the "bumper crowds" of a CC weekend to look forward to.

I wouldn't have thought any so called superstars would have made the Leeds game any better. Friday night traffic on the M62 is a turn off for many people especially when the game is on tv & there was also a football friendly on freeview itv.

I'm not so sure. Similar declines are taking place in Rugby Union and Soccer, so its not just us. However, there are clubs out there that have bucked the trend so what we need to do is find out what they're doing right and copy it.

I was down near the West stand so was a little more crammed than elsewhere I guess.

Give it a rest eh.

Lack of cash

Lack of Sunday games

Lack of meaningful games

Lack of talent



=



Lack of fans

This is maybe because it's the only part of the HJ that generates any songs or atmosphere.

Which game hasn't been meaningful so far?



Interestingly, the NRL is close to getting clubs committed to an expanded World a Club Challenge in February. Not sure how the contestants will be selected but there's a real motivator to push for top three. The prospect of watching wire play one of the best sides in the world on our own patch is brilliant.

Attendances across the board (both in SL and the Championship) are abymsal this year, and alarm bells should be ringing accordingly at the RFL.



The World Cup appears to have had no discernible long-term effect in attracting new or floating speccies ( where are the thousands of speccies who turned up at Rochdale & Workington? ), winning the LLS appears to have done little for Huddersfield's gates, the Salford Revoloution appears to have fallen on stony ground and although the onfield product is not as good as previous years, it's better than many sports.



So why are people staying away? I can only speak for myself, and people I've asked, and the reason is simply the different kick-off times. Games on a Thursday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday mean buying a season-ticket is pointless as I can't do Thursday's or Saturday's.

spot on mate..also if we get agar down here attendances will drop to new depths..

And we are hoping to get fans interested in a revamped WCC with all the extra expense involved.

Not true. Football crowds have been fairly consistent over the last four or five years but have rose this season.









I think this is right, bar the lack of cash. I know lots of people who waste money all over the shop on a weekly basis on stuff they don't need. People do have money, the rise in football attendances show that.







I also think that the RFL expect the fans to put their hand in their pockets for too many occasions. Challenge Cup Final, Grand Final, Internationals, Exiles games, Magic Weekend and possibly these WCC games on the horizon.



MikeJ's other three reasons are spot on though. Cross Yorkshire/Lancashire games on a Thursday/Friday night, that are also on the TV. I know these have been going on for years, but maybe fans are fed up of making the trek, given the lack of talent in the game and the knowledge that the league games are perceived to be pretty much meaningless. Saying that the Wire/Wigan and Wire/Widnes games had poor attendances. The Saints game was a bit better but should have really been a sell out.

Far too many games are at night after a day at work. Friday nights have been a modern era tradition but that was alright as long as most of our other games would be on a Saturday teatime or Sunday.



But in recent years the Saturday teatime or Sunday games have become less frequent due to Sky putting games on Monday and now Thursday nights.



Saturday teatime games used to be perfect! Day out at the pub or having a nice dinner before, get to see the game and get back to the pub for a good few hours after. No worries about evening rush hour traffic, no worries about work/school the next day. Just a top day out - how sport should be enjoyed.



Now we don't get any Saturday teatime games at all. Ridiculous!

Saturdays are no good to me. horses for courses.

I will ask again. Which games have been meaningless this year?

seeing as you dont get it...cast your mind back to when we were robbed of the league in the 90s by russell smith and how we all felt..if that was to happen nowadays most people would say winning the league isnt all that important and at least we are in the play off mix(ask leeds fans)..all so being beggered about by sky with games now being played on a thursday..as the poster above has explained..now do you get it...

Simple for me. As they do in Scottish football. Finish top you win. Bottom goes straight down, topof lower goes straight up. Second to top and second for bottom play a game to see who goes up/down. Every league game matters and there is also excitement at the end of the year. If you wanted more silverware introduce a superleague cup and a championship cup. Like the challenge cup bit just for teams in that league. The final could be a double header and replace magic weekend.