2025 Crowd Watch

[Saint Doc]

Oh, for sure, it's just us nerding. Sorry to drag it out one more time.

But this begged for a follow up...

Not really, they count the number of new entries, but it doesn't go down with exits. So the crowd for game 3 on Magic Sat/Sun is always given as > (sometimes =) to the crowd for game 2. Even when that's clearly not true, like this year. (Inevitable that the crowd would be bigger for Panthers v Broncos at Sun 4pm, than for Storm v Raiders at 6.30)

I believe they do count exits. But it’s just that they count if you were in the ground at any point during the game.
so in a 3 game magic round, most will still be in the ground at kick off for game 3

 

[Saint Doc]

This might be the stupidest attempt at a hypothetical ever made in any discussion on this forum. It makes a mockery of anything else you've said.

Please stay on topic and don’t resort to personal insults. It was a deliberately extreme example (called hyperbole) to illustrate the point.

The simplest way to do home game averages is to include all 12 home games. I’d be interested to hear an argument for this “home ground” because I honestly can’t think of a single reason for doing it that way.

 

[SLRBRONCOS]

Unless the Dolphins are hiding a bunch of vacant seats from sale presales are looking good. If the game were tonight I'd say 22k+.

Vague, I know, but should end up 25-28k.

 

[Jonty]

A few Understandable poor crowds due to dog weather.

 

[yakstorm]

Opportunity to bounce back next weekend, provided the weather is okay.

Storm v Broncos is selling really well, and should push 22K+ based upon how many tickets have already been sold. Not unrealistic for this match to sell oiut between now and Thursday night.

Unless a bunch of tickets have been held back Knights v Panthers is well on track for a solid crowd. Based upon how many have been moved, if it was scheduled for other time, I'd say it was set for 22K+, but let's go with 18K+ for safety sake.

Dolphins v Roosters, as @SLRBRONCOS mentioned, is pushing for 25K+, Bulldogs v Warriors is trending for 30K (hopefully it gets some momentum between now and Saturday so it can push higher) and Dragons v Sharks at Kogarah is selling strongly already.

 

[Ride the Lion to Zion]

Crowd for NRLW Magic Round Day 2:

Looked bigger on TV today, though possibly just more people sitting outside of the top of the Andrew Johns grandstand.

Rain didn't look as bad today. Pitch brought a nostalgic tear to my eye. Like watching English RL in December back in the day.

On a pre-event podcast, Lara Pitt cited Totally Workwear Stadium as a suitable venue for NRLW Magic Round. Create a bustling intimate atmosphere, commensurate with the current growth rate of the fanbase. The awful weather in Newcastle precludes a proper evaluation of the relative pros and cons.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

A few Understandable poor crowds due to dog weather.

I don't give a pass for it at the big stadiums honestly (suburban grounds are a lot worse in heavy rain and cases like Wolongong where the hill was closed are the exception), but I've been to at least half a dozen games at Suncorp in the last 3 years where the rain was coming in sideways and was that heavy I was about to give Noah a call to start construction on the second ark, yet there were 40k in attendance.

 

[BuffaloRules]

I don't give a pass for it at the big stadiums honestly (suburban grounds are a lot worse in heavy rain and cases like Wolongong where the hill was closed are the exception), but I've been to at least half a dozen games at Suncorp in the last 3 years where the rain was coming in sideways and was that heavy I was about to give Noah a call to start construction on the second ark, yet there were 40k in attendance.

Interesting - my one time at Suncorp it pissed down and there were 21k there.., was about 8 years ago though

 

[newc18]

On a pre-event podcast, Lara Pitt cited Totally Workwear Stadium as a suitable venue for NRLW Magic Round. Create a bustling intimate atmosphere, commensurate with the current growth rate of the fanbase. The awful weather in Newcastle precludes a proper evaluation of the relative pros and cons.

Totally Workwear Stadium is too small in my opinion. I like the ambition of playing Magic Round at a ground like Newcastle, Wollongong, or Townsville. The problem is scheduling the event so it has some free air from the NRL.

 

[Timmah]

Rain didn't look as bad today. Pitch brought a nostalgic tear to my eye. Like watching English RL in December back in the day.

On a pre-event podcast, Lara Pitt cited Totally Workwear Stadium as a suitable venue for NRLW Magic Round. Create a bustling intimate atmosphere, commensurate with the current growth rate of the fanbase. The awful weather in Newcastle precludes a proper evaluation of the relative pros and cons.

While I tend to agree, it's contracted to the NSW Government for 25, 26 and 27. It won't be going to Langlands until at least 2028.

I think Newcastle probably deserves another crack next year - if new Penrith Stadium is open in 2027 that could be another option.

 

[yakstorm]

Rain didn't look as bad today. Pitch brought a nostalgic tear to my eye. Like watching English RL in December back in the day.

On a pre-event podcast, Lara Pitt cited Totally Workwear Stadium as a suitable venue for NRLW Magic Round. Create a bustling intimate atmosphere, commensurate with the current growth rate of the fanbase. The awful weather in Newcastle precludes a proper evaluation of the relative pros and cons.

My issue with a venue like Totally Workwear Stadium is it's so small. The venue's capacity is supposedly 3,500, though the sold out games there have never gone anywhere near it (Broncos v Sharks SF was 2,327, Broncos v Roosters this year was 1,924), so whilst the event would sell out quickly, there are a lot of people who would miss out.

Even if you could get the full 3,500 in there, it's still less than what they got in Newcastle over the weekend, despite the weather (it wasn't just heavy rain in the Hunter, it was flooding in parts).

I'd like to see Newcastle given another chance, although if they do move it (which is what was implied when the deal with the NSW Government was first announced), then I hope Mudgee's bid is successful. Glen Willow is classified as NRL standard and has a capacity of 10K, which gives room for growth, but also means even if they only get 5-6K again, it would look better on TV.

 

[beave]

If you're going to have NRLW Magic Rd in QLD, put it on the Gold Coast.

Langlands is too small, NQ is too remote, Suncorp too big.

 

[Gobsmacked]

If you're going to have NRLW Magic Rd in QLD, put it on the Gold Coast.

Langlands is too small, NQ is too remote, Suncorp too big.

Kayo stadium??

 

[drcmuch]

I believe they do count exits.

All evidence to the contrary.

 

[beave]

Kayo stadium??

not a lot of corporate boxes at Kayo but if you dangle it at the dolphins so they move one of their mens games to Suncorp that would normally be played there, it might be a decent option.

 

[yakstorm]

An upgraded Sunshine Coast Stadium would be a reasonable option for NRLW Magic once the current deal with the NSW Government ends.

 

[EuroNymous]

just checked got tix pax its 32968

i reckon this one is gonna get close to 40ish

 

[Gobsmacked]

not a lot of corporate boxes at Kayo but if you dangle it at the dolphins so they move one of their mens games to Suncorp that would normally be played there, it might be a decent option.

It's a good stadium at 12k close to a big population base. Might sell out and look good for TV

 

[Gobsmacked]

An upgraded Sunshine Coast Stadium would be a reasonable option for NRLW Magic once the current deal with the NSW Government ends.

Hopefully the NRLW becomes the curtain raiser for NRL fixtures. Mens Magic round at Suncorp with free tickets to NRLW at East Tigers stadium. The Men and boys go and watch NRL while the Mums and girls go across the river to watch the NRLW.

 

[Burns]

just checked got tix pax its 32968

i reckon this one is gonna get close to 40ish

Weather forecast looks like could be a wet and rainy Saturday. A shame, as if were clear night (and the Warriors not on tilt) this one could have been 50,000. Think it will be low 30,000s.