RLWC2017 Crowd Watch

[Perth Red]

This is the second best attended World Cup tournament

1995 265,609(Eng&Wal)
2000 263,921 (Eng,Ire&Fra)
2008 293,442 (Aus)
2013 458,483 (Eng, Ire&Wal)
2017 297,197 (not inc final) (Aus, Nz&png)

 

[Ari Gold]

Get the average per game and it is a different story

 

[Stallion]

This is the second best attended World Cup tournament

1995 265,609(Eng&Wal)
2000 263,921 (Eng,Ire&Fra)
2008 293,442 (Aus)
2013 458,483 (Eng, Ire&Wal)
2017 297,197 (not inc final) (Aus, Nz&png)

Still dissapointing compared to 2013 whereby most ticket prices were reasonable from what's been informed?

 

[Stallion]

Why would it be a guaranteed sell out? They haven’t sold all the $70 tickets yet so want makes you think another 15k people would go because it was $50? Pool games started at $20 and didn’t come close to selling out.

There is no evidence that ticket prices have been the major deciding factor in fans not going. Apathy and a general disrespect for the international game is the real reasons Australians haven’t turned out in numbers.

Let’s play hypothetical and say your $50a ticket strategy creates a 52k sell out, as unlikely as this is, that would mean ticket revenue of $2.6million.

Currently it seems around 36k have been sold at an avg around $100.thats $3.6million already. So even in your best case scenario the rlif loses out on $1million revenue to spend on growing the international game!

Outstanding outcome!!

You have clearly ignored the damage of empty seats screened on international and local tv for the regard of this code trying to grow in the world sports market. This code is subject to many barriers unlike other football codes. The game is on show and needs to seen as popular. You just cant work that out PR!

 

[yakstorm]

Just to clarify a few misconceptions, the RLWC staff are not NRL staff who are on secondment for the tournament, any NRL staff member who went across to RLWC2017 Pty Ltd had to resign from their NRL position.

As such, there are a handful over there, however most have never worked in Rugby League before.

Secondly, there are only 44,303 General Public seats at Suncorp, so this is the PAX we are chasing for a sellout, not 52,000.

The pricing strategy has been questionable, however in isolation, I don't feel it would have had as big of an impact if the promotion was a lot more targeted and if they didn't hold back so many seats at the venues for the big games until close to kick off.

The fact that people on the Storm, Cowboys & Raiders databases didn't get any comms about the RLWC matches highlights where they went wrong with their marketing.

 

[Burns]

Just to clarify a few misconceptions, the RLWC staff are not NRL staff who are on secondment for the tournament, any NRL staff member who went across to RLWC2017 Pty Ltd had to resign from their NRL position.

As such, there are a handful over there, however most have never worked in Rugby League before.

Secondly, there are only 44,303 General Public seats at Suncorp, so this is the PAX we are chasing for a sellout, not 52,000.

The pricing strategy has been questionable, however in isolation, I don't feel it would have had as big of an impact if the promotion was a lot more targeted and if they didn't hold back so many seats at the venues for the big games until close to kick off.

The fact that people on the Storm, Cowboys & Raiders databases didn't get any comms about the RLWC matches highlights where they went wrong with their marketing.

Yak,

I volunteered at the Sydney games. It was my experience that many of the paid RLWC staff were on secondment from the NRL, NSWRL or other sporting organisations. I would wager that every paid RLWC staff member was involved in some level of sporting administration.

As to the Final, we would both be familiar with the whole 'double line seats' strategy that was used throughout the Pool Matches to ensure that Bays would appear full by selling every second row of seats.

Well, this is now in place for the Final. Bays 639, 640 and 604 on the Upper Western are now selling every row. On the Northern side, 334 and 330 are the same, on the Southern side it is 309 and 313.

In addition, two more CAT B Bays (533 and and 531) have been opened on the 2nd tier of the Northern sides. These are empty.

I've said this a few times now and I don't want to hark on about doom and gloom, but I perceive that the RLWC have given up on attempting a 'sell out' and are now trying to mitigate by having the stadium appear to be as full as possible with a high 30,000 crowd. I take the sold PAX with a grain of salt and just have not seen another movement to be confident of anything much greater.

 

[Stallion]

Just to clarify a few misconceptions, the RLWC staff are not NRL staff who are on secondment for the tournament, any NRL staff member who went across to RLWC2017 Pty Ltd had to resign from their NRL position.

As such, there are a handful over there, however most have never worked in Rugby League before.

Secondly, there are only 44,303 General Public seats at Suncorp, so this is the PAX we are chasing for a sellout, not 52,000.

The pricing strategy has been questionable, however in isolation, I don't feel it would have had as big of an impact if the promotion was a lot more targeted and if they didn't hold back so many seats at the venues for the big games until close to kick off.

The fact that people on the Storm, Cowboys & Raiders databases didn't get any comms about the RLWC matches highlights where they went wrong with their marketing.

I suggest they did more mistakes than not informing Storm, Cowboys and Raiders supporters. Although thats another mistake for sure. The pricing has been over the top. Ive discussed this with other fans and they are in disbelief with the ticket prices being offered for games like the opener , Brisbane semi and the upcoming final . So the crowd number we can expect for this Saturday will not make 50000? If not thats strange as other events do?

 

[hutch]

So are we not even going to break 40k for the final? Wtf?

 

[deluded pom?]

So are we not even going to break 40k for the final? Wtf?

If that eventuates will there be an independent enquiry into the running of the WC in Australia as there will be in NZ?

 

[Stallion]

If that eventuates will there be an independent enquiry into the running of the WC in Australia as there will be in NZ?

What's concerning this is happening before our very eyes! Its amazing this information is given on cup final week and its apparently true!? If so, their is something seriously wrong with the ticket marketing of this world cup.

 

[hutch]

I bought over a month ago with a pax of 21000. Surely they have moved a few since the tournament started?

 

[adamkungl]

Ok heading into the Final here is a run down of the crowds for the tournament by country, game and venue

Australia
Aus v Eng (opener) Melbourne 22,274
Fiji v USA Townsville 5,103
Ire v USA (dbl header) Townsville 7,732*
Ire v Ital (dbl header) Cairns 9,216*
Sam v Sco Cairns 4,309
lebanese v Fra Canberra 5,492
Fiji v Ita Canberra 6,733
Aus v Fra Canberra 12,293
Eng v lebanese Sydney 10,237
Aus v lebanese Sydney 21,127
Eng v Fra (dbl header) Perth 14,744*

Qtrs
Aus v Sam Darwin 13,473 (sold out)
Eng v PNG Melbourne 10,563

Semi
Aus v Fiji Brisbane 22,073

Total crowd for Australia 129,498*
Game avg 11,812*

* not inc second game in dbl header

NZ
Nz v Sam Auckland 17,857
Nz v Sco Christchurch 12,130
Sam v Tong Hamilton 18,156
Nz v Tong Hamilton 24,041

Qtrs
Tong v lebanese Christchurch 8,309
Nz v Fiji Wellington 12,713

Semi
Tong v Eng Auckland 30,003. (Sold out)

Total crowds for Nz 123,209
Game avg 17,601

PNG
Png v wal Port Moresby 14,800 (sold out)
Png v Ire Port Moresby 14,800 (sold out)
Png v USA Port Moresby 14,800 (sold out)

Total crowds for png 44,400
Game avg 14,800(max capacity)

Total crowds 297,107
Game avg for tournament 14,768

By my calculations (which is attendance per event, so double headers counted once)
A sell out final will give us:
events 25
total 385,928
average 15,437

A pretty poor result, well below target, which is easily put down to a number of reasons:
Insane ticketing strategy
Lazy marketing
Poor locations and scheduling

Missing the 450k target by at least 65k will cost the RLIF likely over $2mil in revenue to spend on international development in the next 3 years.
Should have been written into the contract that the ARLC covers the shortfall if they fail to meet their bid promises.

 

[Stallion]

By my calculations (which is attendance per event, so double headers counted once)
A sell out final will give us:
events 25
total 385,928
average 15,437

A pretty poor result, well below target, which is easily put down to a number of reasons:
Insane ticketing strategy
Lazy marketing
Poor locations and scheduling

Missing the 450k target by at least 65k will cost the RLIF likely over $2mil in revenue to spend on international development in the next 3 years.
Should have been written into the contract that the ARLC covers the shortfall if they fail to meet their bid promises.

I've liked your information as it spells out in black and white the moderate performance of marketing at this world cup. Some of it has been diabolical yet we have people justifying these poor sports business decisions. This shoukd have been the 'peoples world cup ' ! A big thank you to the past and potential fans of the game through cheap and accessable ticket entry prices . But no, this has instead, mostly proven to be an embarassment for a code that deserves better. Had reasonable pricing and common sense venue allocations been properly made this would have been an allround excellent showpiece world cup for rugby league. Instead the great football provided was complemented by poor ticket pricing which has further distanced a sporting public that were willing to give this code a real push into the international scene. Another contributor mentioned poor officials taking part in ths world cup from the NRL. Wonder if the same officials are the ones covering up the poor 'on the ground ' development work and using that as the excuse to not see additional teams in the NRL? Seems like their is an enemy from within the game in addition to the barriers outside of the game?

 

[morningstar]

I bought over a month ago with a pax of 21000. Surely they have moved a few since the tournament started?

Diehard bought tickets yesterday and the PAX was circa 36K.

From what Yakstorm posted there are only 44k general sale tickets, the rest are corporate and through travel companies. Assuming corporate is sold out, we need to shift 8K tickets to get close to capacity.

 

[Stallion]

Diehard bought tickets yesterday and the PAX was circa 36K.

From what Yakstorm posted there are only 44k general sale tickets, the rest are corporate. Assuming corporate is sold out, we need to shift 8K tickets to get close to capacity.

That's a good question! Is corporate sold out? Surely this should be known?

 

[Perth Red]

Still dissapointing compared to 2013 whereby most ticket prices were reasonable from what's been informed?

You can’t compare tournaments in different hemis. Clearly English fans are more committed to the game than Australian fans.

 

[Cash.]

That's a good question! Is corporate sold out? Surely this should be known?

The rest are stadium members I'm assuming.

 

[Burns]

Assuming all of corporate/stadium members turn up is a dangerous game.

 

[Perth Red]

I've liked your information as it spells out in black and white the moderate performance of marketing at this world cup. Some of it has been diabolical yet we have people justifying these poor sports business decisions. This shoukd have been the 'peoples world cup ' ! A big thank you to the past and potential fans of the game through cheap and accessable ticket entry prices . But no, this has instead, mostly proven to be an embarassment for a code that deserves better. Had reasonable pricing and common sense venue allocations been properly made this would have been an allround excellent showpiece world cup for rugby league. Instead the great football provided was complemented by poor ticket pricing which has further distanced a sporting public that were willing to give this code a real push into the international scene. Another contributor mentioned poor officials taking part in ths world cup from the NRL. Wonder if the same officials are the ones covering up the poor 'on the ground ' development work and using that as the excuse to not see additional teams in the NRL? Seems like their is an enemy from within the game in addition to the barriers outside of the game?

What your excuses for the poor pool games attendances were tickets were “cheap and accessible”?

Reality is iif canbrrra and NQ turned upit would be looking alot healthier. nsw govt snubbing of the comp which could have seen healthy crowds in Sydney, Newcastle and Gosford (though 2008 would suggest no guarantees there) and better marketing and we’d be seeing a different picture. Though again if you oook at 2008 and crowds there’s no guarantees that cheap tickets, different venues and better marketing would have made much difference in Australia against a very apathetic fanbase.

 

[Perth Red]

By my calculations (which is attendance per event, so double headers counted once)
A sell out final will give us:
events 25
total 385,928
average 15,437

A pretty poor result, well below target, which is easily put down to a number of reasons:
Insane ticketing strategy
Lazy marketing
Poor locations and scheduling

Missing the 450k target by at least 65k will cost the RLIF likely over $2mil in revenue to spend on international development in the next 3 years.
Should have been written into the contract that the ARLC covers the shortfall if they fail to meet their bid promises.

Where do you get 385k from? My figures from wiki have it at 349,107 with a sell out?