Premiership crowds down by 15.6 per cent

GALLAGHER Premiership attendances are down by 15.6 per cent compared to last season's corresponding matches.

- JON NEWCOMBE

The distraction of the Rugby World Cup, sky-high ticket prices, the cost-of-living crisis, the apathy surrounding the loss of three clubs from the league last season and poor weather have all contributed to the disappointing crowds.

While ticket sales at the start of the season are notoriously sluggish, it is still telling that only two of the first 20 matches this season have attracted bigger attendances than the same fixtures last year.

Bath's fans cannot be accused of being fair-weather supporters as their crowd for the visit of Leicester was up by 690 compared to the 2022/23 season, despite the effects of Storm Babet.

The other match in the positive column was Sale Sharks' home clash with Northampton, with the gate up by 510, perhaps on the back of the Sharks' run to last year's final.

Overall, though, the picture is pretty bleak for clubs already fighting to keep their heads above water.