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The RugbyPass back-to-rugby-in-the-UK survey finds that 89 per cent of fans plan to attend more live games than they did pre-pandemic
By RugbyPass
A RugbyPass survey to understand likely match attendance and match-viewing trends post-lockdown has revealed that fans in the UK are keener than ever before to attend a match. Fans outlined their desire for the live experience hadn’t diminished and they will be returning to stadiums in unprecedented numbers. The survey of 1,800 rugby fans across the UK uncovered that 89 per cent plan to attend more live games next season (2021/22) than in previous seasons.
The top reason cited for this was that they had missed the live sporting atmosphere and now felt safe attending matches in person. A massive 90 per cent of people surveyed planned to attend a live match after stadiums re-opened last Monday, with 76 per cent of those planning to attend a live rugby game within the first few weeks.
Sports fans in Wales were the most likely to attend a live game within the first week of stadiums re-opening, stating that they had missed the social aspect of attending live games. At the opposite end of the scale, Manchester residents were less likely to attend a live match in the first year of stadiums re-opening.
Interestingly, 72 per cent of people surveyed said that they felt comfortable attending an event at a stadium that was at full capacity with only 45 per cent stating they would do anything differently post-pandemic.
The survey also revealed that rugby fans plan to watch more rugby from home than they did pre-pandemic, taking the opportunity to watch games with their friends even if their teams aren’t playing.
RugbyPass CEO Neil Martin said: “It’s great to see that rugby fans across the UK are more engaged with the sport than ever before with individuals planning to watch more games than they did pre-pandemic, both at home and in stadiums. At RugbyPass, we aim to provide fans with the content they desire and with more people watching matches than ever before, we are committed to continuing to give fans access and opinion on all major competitions worldwide.”
Ex-Scotland international and current RugbyPass show presenter Jim Hamilton added: “Players have really missed playing in front of live crowds. Walking out at the beginning of a game to a crowd full of cheering fans gets you really fired up for the game. It’s a huge part of playing professional rugby. Fortunately, fans are showing a huge desire to watch live rugby and support their teams again. Fans make sport and are the heartbeat of any rugby club.”
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Latest Comments
Steve Borthwick appointment was misguided based on two flawed premises.
1. An overblown sense of the quality of the premiership rugby. The gap between the Premiership and Test rugby is enormous
2. England needed an English coach who understood English Rugby and it's traditional strengths.
SB won the premiership and was an England forward and did a great job with the Japanese forwards but neither of those qualify you as a tier 1 test manager.
Maybe Felix Jones and Aled Walter's departures are down to the fact that SB is a details man, which work at club level but at test level you need the manager to manage and let the coaches get on and do what they are employed for.
SB criticism of players is straight out of Eddie Jones playbook but his loyalty to keeping out of form players borne out of his perceived sense of betrayal as a player.
In all it doesn't stack up as the qualities needed to be a modern Test coach /Manager
Go to commentsBut still Australians. Only Australia can help itself seems to be the key message.
Blaming Kiwis is deflecting from the actual problem.
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