Disappearing crowds at CC finals despite the official figures?

[josie andrews]

It needs to be put back to May & get rid of the Magic weekend IMO

The RFL put more into advertising this event than the oldest competition in our sport #sad

[Owd Codger]

It needs to be put back to May & get rid of the Magic weekend IMO

The RFL put more into advertising this event than the oldest competition in our sport #sad

Correct, It should be played on the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend and the competition played in what use to be the latter end of the former winter season. Just like the National Rail Cup Competition is in the lower divisions.

That way, we would have a major final in each half of the season which would help supporters financially.

One of the main reasons while crowds at Wembley are now less is that supporters of other club's are less in number than what they used to be and you now see more at the magic weekend which does not cost as much as going to Wembley. Begs the question, 'Has the magic weekend done damage to the attendances At Wembley'?

On Saturday, I would say that the supporters of Wigan and Hull were not much different than as in the past but there were nothing like the number of neutral supporters of past year's.

What do other supporter's think?

[RobWigan]

Maybe everyone was at the bar and toilet? :conf:

[markill]

It needs to be put back to May & get rid of the Magic weekend IMO

The RFL put more into advertising this event than the oldest competition in our sport #sad

Correct, It should be played on the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend and the competition played in what use to be the latter end of the former winter season. Just like the National Rail Cup Competition is in the lower divisions.

That way, we would have a major final in each half of the season which would help supporters financially.

One of the main reasons while crowds at Wembley are now less is that supporters of other club's are less in number than what they used to be and you now see more at the magic weekend which does not cost as much as going to Wembley. Begs the question, 'Has the magic weekend done damage to the attendances At Wembley'?

On Saturday, I would say that the supporters of Wigan and Hull were not much different than as in the past but there were nothing like the number of neutral supporters of past year's.

What do other supporter's think?

I don't think magic has had any effect on the cup final as they are played 3 months apart and all clubs play that weekend with attendances still fairly small on the part of each individual club. I still saw plenty of neutrals knocking about on Saturday, but I do think an element of larger parties from not involved clubs that go every year may be reducing. I think in part economic circumstances or disillusion with the sport may be to balme, but I also suspect a lot of those people were older generations and as the dads/grandads pass away etc the tradition isn't being kept up so much. Young people don't have the same affinity with the special day out because we all do so much more travelling/visiting places in our lives anyway nowadays.

I agree the cup final should be earlier in the year but in June, not May - I want it outside the football season.

[DaveO]

One of the main reasons while crowds at Wembley are now less is that supporters of other club's are less in number than what they used to be and you now see more at the magic weekend which does not cost as much as going to Wembley. Begs the question, 'Has the magic weekend done damage to the attendances At Wembley'?

On Saturday, I would say that the supporters of Wigan and Hull were not much different than as in the past but there were nothing like the number of neutral supporters of past year's.

What do other supporter's think?

I think you may have a point there. The fact the two are a few months apart won't make any difference IMO. People will possibly still think of both as an extra expense and so may prioritise one over the other. They are both "away days".

With magic you get to see your team play and can then watch as a neutral for the other games on the day. So some may see more sense in that than going down to London to watch two other teams play.

If so then yes you can blame magic for that.

Neutrals watching the CC was always a big tradition and if it goes for whatever reason it will be shame and we will never stand a chance of filling the place.

I have always disliked the magic weekend idea because I think if we do have a mid season special it should be about Internationals, not club games. Hadn't thought it might affect the CC but you may well be right to suspect it does.

The RFL focus on their latest "big idea" to the detriment of other aspects of the sport. It may be unintentional but that is what seems to happen.

[keptinthedarkfans]

IMO 78k is a very good amount for the sport but also a switch to Old Trafford would make more sense, London will probably be the first team relegated and there is little interest anyway. So a 5hr coach journey to go to a hyper expensive crap stadium surrounded by a dump. Old Trafford/Cardiff would be ideal and be full plus not as much travelling for everyone.

Wembley just has a lot of seats, no atmosphere, nothing in the ground to make it special not even stuff outside to to add to the event. Leigh put on better event than Wembley and made the day special which should not be the case since Wembley is the national stadium.

I enjoyed the day but the stadium was crap, i support Liverpool and have no love for Old Trafford but you can't deny its a fantastic stadium so making it the home of the challenge cup would make sense

Also rebuilt in the wrong place!

Cardiff is far better being near the City Centre and has a better atmosphere both inside and outside the ground, plus the fact it is a rugby ground.

IMO, the Challenge Cup Final should have been kept there.

Yes Cardiff would get my vote to.Been to wembley 30 plus times and never tired of the old wembley new stadium is just that a stadium no atmoshere or nostalga

[Owd Codger]

Also rebuilt in the wrong place!

Cardiff is far better being near the City Centre and has a better atmosphere both inside and outside the ground, plus the fact it is a rugby ground.

IMO, the Challenge Cup Final should have been kept there.

Yes Cardiff would get my vote to.Been to wembley 30 plus times and never tired of the old wembley new stadium is just that a stadium no atmoshere or nostalga

And nowhere to sit and have a drink if fine like the grass banks of the old stadium.

Was far better at Cardiff.

[Mike]

And nowhere to sit and have a drink if fine like the grass banks of the old stadium.

Was far better at Cardiff.

That is the worst bit of the new Wembley. The atmosphere outside the ground is worse because there is nowhere good to congregate.

[jobo]

And nowhere to sit and have a drink if fine like the grass banks of the old stadium.

Was far better at Cardiff.

That is the worst bit of the new Wembley. The atmosphere outside the ground is worse because there is nowhere good to congregate.

With the old Wembley, the atmosphere started well outside the ground, you could virtually feel the sporting heritage oozing out of the place. New Wembley to me seems just like a huge concrete monolith. Should have at least kept the twin towers and defo the grass banks.