poor attendances : Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:33 am  

The RLF and Sky seem mystified why playoff games are poorly attended.
Well in my opinion the main reason is the powers that be have no idea about the real world, let alone the normal working man. Can they really not see why games are so poorly attended.
Well let me enlighten you, there’s a recession on and people do not have bottomless pockets, we just can’t afford to be paying for games that mean NOTHING.
And Just for the record, listed below are a few more Extras that RFL expect us to pay out for .
1. A season ticket ,
2. Challenge cup games. (tickets and transport)
3. Magic Weekend (tickets, transport, accommodation and food)
4. Exile games (ticket, transport and food)
5. Challenge Cup Final (tickets, transport, accommodation and food)
6. Play Off Games (tickets)
7. Grand Final. (ticket, transport and food)
8. International Games (tickets and transport)
Also at our club seasons tickets have to be purchased or renewed before the end of October
The Challenge Cup Final is another prime example of the RFL being out of touch with reality. To move it from May to August when,
1 95% of people have just returned from holiday.
2 It’s a month before the Grand Final.
So stop taking supporters for a ride. Come down from your ivory tower and get a grip.

Re: poor attendances : Tue Sep 25, 2012 11:45 am  

Apart from:

A season ticket isn't really an "extra"

You don't need to "double buy" food i.e. if you buy it 'out' you've saved on eating 'in'

There are options for the Challenge Cup Final / Magic Weekend that don't require accomodation

Challenge Cup Final date is fine, having it in May wasn't good for anyone in the SL era

The real issue is that they are pulling on the same relatively 'small' fanbase for all these events rather than attracting new support, and the supply/demand ratio just isn't there anymore.

However, if the revenue from TV money is greater than gate receipts/lost income from poor attendance, then there is no real 'business' incentive to change things.

Re: poor attendances : Tue Sep 25, 2012 1:30 pm  

If you like rugby, you'll pay what you feel is reasonable to follow it. It's a hobby at the end of the day. If you can't afford a certain hobby, you stop doing it.

Re: poor attendances : Tue Sep 25, 2012 2:25 pm  

The full admission prices with no discount for season ticket holders will put people off from going to the playoffs, paid £23 for my seat for Saturdays game when it would have been 25% discount a few years ago, then you've people with Work commitments, who aren't able to get time off for the Playoffs, unlike regular Season games.

There's also far too many teams, should be top 6

Re: poor attendances : Tue Sep 25, 2012 3:03 pm  

I Was not suggesting season tickets were an extra. I was pointing out the extra expence after buying a season ticket.
Eating out cannot equal out with what you would eat at home because it is far more expensive. And how you can say the Challenge Cup is ok as it is, is beyond me. And could you please explain why was the C.C in May was no good to anyone in rugby league? Myself and numerous people I speak to would not agree.

Re: poor attendances : Tue Sep 25, 2012 3:05 pm  

It's not looking good for Saturday. I've just bought my ticket for Saturday and when I asked where was available the woman replied "just about anywhere" I saw the screen in front of her and there were seat available in all parts of the stands and quite alot too.

Re: poor attendances : Tue Sep 25, 2012 3:07 pm  

Apart from the money side for most people, one of the reasons they are poorly attended is the fact that the first play off game for the top 4 is meaningless as the losers get to play again, plus how mwny people can afford to pay out approx £20 a week for 4 weeks on the trot especially if they take other family members with them.
IMO the only way the RFL/SKY will take any notice/action is if the clubs start to see a fall off in season ticket sales/attendances due to the weekly rounds becoming meaningless games (see player rotation at most big clubs this year as an example) and coaches play to finish in the top 8 rather than blitz the league as Warrington did last year, and then failed in the play offs.

Re: poor attendances : Tue Sep 25, 2012 3:48 pm  

dede wrote:

And could you please explain why was the C.C in May was no good to anyone in rugby league? Myself and numerous people I speak to would not agree.

Because it meant that the competition had to start in January for the amateur sides and February / March for the pro sides. Apart from being the worst time of year for trying to get games played due to the weather, it also made the whole competition feel like a pre-season warm up event for league matches. It also meant the league got a very stop-start feel to it. It also meant having to pack in quarter finals and semie finals very quickly with little build up to the final. So lots of reasons, just off the top of my head!

Re: poor attendances : Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:07 pm  

shinymcshine wrote:

Apart from:

You don't need to "double buy" food i.e. if you buy it 'out' you've saved on eating 'in'

I'll go out for a meal every night then and it won't cost me anything extra.

Are you my wife? It's like a "I've bought two dresses to save money" idea that she comes out with.

Re: poor attendances : Wed Sep 26, 2012 6:25 am  

If you don't have the sense to take advantage of reasonably priced eating out options (ie packed lunch, meal deals, 2 for 1, weatherspoons deals etc) and just pay the extortionate prices at the ground it will obviously cost more. If you do then it can be relatively cost neutral.