The average Super League attendance for 2022 is marginally down on 2019, the last uninterrupted season before the Coronavirus pandemic. This season saw a competition average of 8,267, compared to the slightly bigger figure of 8,350 in 2019. That's a decrease of 0.99 per cent.
Given the uncertainty, the cost of living crisis, loop fixtures and everything else, the decrease of just 83 fans per game isn't too drastic, but does include Toulouse Olympique's attendances, which were more than double London Broncos'.
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Competition runners-up Leeds Rhinos boast the best average attendance of the year with a figure of 12,940, a 213 increase on their gates for the 2019 season. Their highest was 15,418 for their do or die clash against Castleford Tigers in the final round, with the Rhinos staying above four figures all season.
The best increase in the competition was at Wigan, who boasted an average attendance of 12,278, an 846 increase on their 2019 season average of 11,432. Their average was second only to Leeds, with Wigan boasting the biggest club attendance of the season with 19,210 through the gate to see their round 25 victory over St Helens.
Meanwhile, the Saints couldn't build on their 2019 average of 11,910, with a slighter less figure of 11,851 coming to Langtree Park in 2022, a 59 decrease. However, that figure is still the third best in the competition.
Over in Hull, the Black and Whites are down by 715 with 10,763 averaging through the MKM Stadium turnstiles compared to their 2019 average of 11,478. They are still the fourth best supported side.
On the other side of the river, Hull KR also have a smaller figure with a season average of 7,788 fans in 2022 compared to 8,220 in 2019, a 432 decrease meaning over 1,100 less people are watching rugby league in the city of Hull. Still, the two clubs combined come in at 18,551 this season, more than any other town or city in Super League. In 2019, that figure was 19,698.
Still less than than Hull KR, Castleford Tigers have slightly increased their averages, with a 7,542 figure this season a 289 improvement on 2019's average of 7,253. Local rivals Wakefield Trinity have a 855 decrease, averaging 4,613 this season compared to 2019's figure of 5,468.
Huddersfield Giants have a slight decrease on their 2019 figure of 5,226, averaging 5,144 in 2022, an 82 difference. Salford Red Devils, whilst having the lowest average in the competition, have significantly improved on their 2019 figure. They saw a 783 increase on their 2019 figure of 3,746, averaging 4,529 in 2022.
The biggest decrease in the competition was in the South of France at Catalans Dragons, who saw an average of 8,068 fans come to the Stade Gilbert Brutus this year. That's a loss of 2,191 compared to their 2019 season average of 10,259.
Toulouse Olympique had a season average of 4,974 for their first season in Super League, the third worst in the competition. The biggest difference in the two seasons figures by far, that is more than double of the last promoted club in London Broncos, who drew in a 2,021 average in 2019.
Super League 2022 average attendances - 1st: Leeds - 12,940, 2nd: Wigan - 12,278, 3rd: St Helens - 11,851, 4th: Hull FC - 10,763, 5th: Warrington: 8,719, 6th: Catalans - 8,068, 7th: Hull KR - 7,788, 8th: Castleford - 7,542, 9th: Huddersfield - 5,144, 10th: Toulouse - 4,974, 11th: Wakefield - 4,613, 12th: Salford - 4,529
Super League clubs' 2019 and 2022 attendances compared
Castleford - 2019: 7,253, 2022: 7,542. Difference: 3.98% increase
Catalans - 2019: 10,259, 2022: 8,068. Difference: 21.35% decrease
Huddersfield - 2019: 5,226, 2022: 5,144. Difference: 1.56% decrease
Hull FC - 2019: 11,478, 2022: 10,763. Difference: 6.22% decrease
Hull KR - 2019: 8,220, 2022: 7,788. Difference: 5.25% decrease
Leeds - 2019: 12,727, 2022: 12,940. Difference: 213: 1.67% increase
Salford - 2019: 3,746, 2022: 4,529. Difference: 783: 20.9% increase
St Helens - 2019: 11,910, 2022: 11,851. Difference: 0.49% decrease
Wakefield - 2019: 5,468, 2022: 4,613. Difference: 15.63% decrease
Warrington - 2019: 10,468, 2022: 8,719. Difference: 16.7% decrease
Wigan - 2019: 11,432, 2022: 12,278. Difference: 846: 7.4% increase
Promoted club - London 2019: 2,021, Toulouse 2022: 4,974, Difference: 2,953
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