2026 Crowd Watch

[Valheru]

Rather embarrassing really, the supposed two biggest rivals playing primetime on a Friday night, with AJ going for one of the longest standing records in the game. The NRL couldn't have scripted a better scenario.

If you're a Souths fan, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Should have sold out Monday.

It's going to get 40k

How is that in any way embarrassing?

 

[Ian Douglas]

It's going to get 40k

How is that in any way embarrassing?

I agree and once it gets to Thursday and the media hype and excitement kicks in it’ll reach 40k by kickoff and look and sound amazing.

 

[Barney Stubble]

It's "rather embarrassing" that a game that hasn't sold out on Monday will instead follow recent history and either sell out (or, as recent history shows) come very close to selling out by kick-off? Groundbreaking.

Here's a breakdown of regular season NRL crowds between the Roosters and South Sydney at Moore Park since Allianz Stadium reopened in September 2022:

2022: 41,906 in R25
2023: 36,639 in R3
2024: 37,594 in R3
2025: 41,604 in R27
Average: 39,436

Based on the movement of ticket sales so far, there's nothing to suggest this won't sell out, especially as hype builds and the weather stabilises in Sydney.

Social media is lighting up ... the game itself .. which is a genuine rivalry & important for both teams by itself has taken a back seat some what to AJ

will sellout
period

 

[Warriors Fever]

Could we realistically see 6 sell outs this weekend. Brisbane, sfs, mt smart, Bathurst, brookie and leichardt.

 

[i0Nic]

Could we realistically see 6 sell outs this weekend. Brisbane, sfs, mt smart, Bathurst, brookie and leichardt.

All likely - Suncorp and SFS slightly less so but if not sold out will go close to capacity

 

[Speedy Gonzales]

Leichhardt oval seems sold out, can only get random single seats scattered around the ground on ticketek and even then there’s not many

 

[yakstorm]

Updated sales maps:

Warriors v Raiders:
This match has been surprisingly slow despite the Warriors starting their season strongly. Not sure if fans have just assumed it has been sold out or if the weather prediction is bad, but at the moment I think this will fall just short of a sellout with the tickets in the grandstand and in the upper southern barely moving in the past couple of days:


Roosters v Rabbitohs
Level 1 is down to single seats, Level 2 is down to single seats, Level 3 is sold out and 3 of the 9 main bays on Level 4 are pretty much gone. Restricted view seats have also now been put on sale, so this game has good momentum heading into Friday. Definitely 38K+ now.



Wests Tigers v Cowboys:
GA allocation is exhausted and there are now only 6 seats left in the ground. Club may have held some back for memberships, so we may see some go back on sale between now and kick off, but it will be a sell out.

Dragons v Storm:
Not sure why the Dragons haven't released the back 2 rows in the northern stand yet, but as you can see there isn't much left in the grandstands outside of Bay J.

 

[Sky_Is_The_Limit]

Multiple news sources are indicting the crowd for the Roosters and Rabbitohs will be over 40,000 on Friday night:

https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/we-wont-let-him-score-souths-urge-fans-to-stay-in-their-seats-for-alex-johnstons-record-moment/news-story/8c572fccd8e3c7e07389933ec266f07c?amp

Wayne says ‘that’s not our game’ but many disagree as ‘once in a lifetime’ debate splits NRL

Wayne says ‘that’s not our game’ but many disagree as ‘once in a lifetime’ debate splits NRL

www.foxsports.com.au

How embarrassing.

 

[Sky_Is_The_Limit]

Had a look at the Allianz seating plan for Friday night - based on all released tickets, there's less than 2,000 remaining for the general public (excluding accessible seating on level 1).

I reckon it will sell out on Friday morning.

 

[Cumberland Throw]

Yeah just been on ticket master unless they release some lower bowl sponsors tix this is a sold out block buster

 

[mave]

Rather embarrassing really, the supposed two biggest rivals playing primetime on a Friday night, with AJ going for one of the longest standing records in the game. The NRL couldn't have scripted a better scenario.

If you're a Souths fan, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Should have sold out Monday.

Back to the cave with this fool and his foolish take.

 

[Speedy Gonzales]

Leichhardt oval sold out last night

We are really tracking towards 6 of 8 games sold out this weekend, good shit

 

[Barney Stubble]

Raiders are on track to surpass their 2025 membership tally before they play their first home game this season next Thursday V the Bulldogs
@ 24,970 last week.
A win over the Wahs tomorrow & decent weather forecast should ensure a big crowd for the next week.

 

[Valheru]

Had a look at the Allianz seating plan for Friday night - based on all released tickets, there's less than 2,000 remaining for the general public (excluding accessible seating on level 1).

I reckon it will sell out on Friday morning.

So embarrassing!

 

[yobbo84]

Look at 35-40k obviously the pricing is right, and for AJ I'm spending the cash, but holy cr*p I don't like this trend of $100+ a ticket for a regular season match.

 

[Valheru]

Look at 35-40k obviously the pricing is right, and for AJ I'm spending the cash, but holy cr*p I don't like this trend of $100+ a ticket for a regular season match.

Since the new SFS has opened the crowds have been 41k (SFS opener), 39k (EF), 36k, 37k and 41k

This one likely gets 38k plus.

I think it' fair to say even without the AJ stuff it gets 35k so very clearly as you say the price is right. The roosters see this as a premium fixture and prices will continue to reflect that until crowds drop. I know that means it basically becomes inaccessible for families/kids but you can't blame the club for maximising income if people are willing to pay and there are other home games that are more family focused.

It will be interesting to see what souths do with prices for the return fixture given it's their first game against us as the home team at SFS.

 

[Wb1234]

Since the new SFS has opened the crowds have been 41k (SFS opener), 39k (EF), 36k, 37k and 41k

This one likely gets 38k plus.

I think it' fair to say even without the AJ stuff it gets 35k so very clearly as you say the price is right. The roosters see this as a premium fixture and prices will continue to reflect that until crowds drop. I know that means it basically becomes inaccessible for families/kids but you can't blame the club for maximising income if people are willing to pay and there are other home games that are more family focused.

It will be interesting to see what souths do with prices for the return fixture given it's their first game against us as the home team at SFS.

Good to see the roosters recognize souths as a premium fixture for them

 

[SLRBRONCOS]

Look at 35-40k obviously the pricing is right, and for AJ I'm spending the cash, but holy cr*p I don't like this trend of $100+ a ticket for a regular season match.

Yep, the prices are cooked on any day. $100+ per seat to sit in level 7 at Suncorp on a Thursday night and tickets are not shifting. Mind you, that's a bargain compared to the level 3 corners which are currently $179 each. $716 + fees for a family of four to sit on the corner, on a Thursday night.

WTF

The Broncos could have had a 42-44k sell out, but were happy with 37-40k.

 

[yobbo84]

Since the new SFS has opened the crowds have been 41k (SFS opener), 39k (EF), 36k, 37k and 41k

This one likely gets 38k plus.

I think it' fair to say even without the AJ stuff it gets 35k so very clearly as you say the price is right. The roosters see this as a premium fixture and prices will continue to reflect that until crowds drop. I know that means it basically becomes inaccessible for families/kids but you can't blame the club for maximising income if people are willing to pay and there are other home games that are more family focused.

It will be interesting to see what souths do with prices for the return fixture given it's their first game against us as the home team at SFS.

It's probably the only away game I'll go to this year.

Attending Rugby League as a Sydney mortgage holder with a family is become an unattainable luxury. $1000 for season tickets is enough without having to fork out more for away games.

 

[yobbo84]

Yep, the prices are cooked on any day. $100+ per seat to sit in level 7 at Suncorp on a Thursday night and tickets are not shifting. Mind you, that's a bargain compared to the level 3 corners which are currently $179 each. $716 + fees for a family of four to sit on the corner, on a Thursday night.

WTF

The Broncos could have had a 42-44k sell out, but were happy with 37-40k.

That's absolutely cooked