Attendances 2022

[Straightstory]

For most folk 2 games in a week might be too much. The entrance fee, burger/pie and pints it soon stacks up. You also have ve to remember that was most likely a typical crowd for Sunday back in the good old days.

Maybe you could live without the burger/pie and pints? (I mean - look at the state of you; you could lose a few pounds).

[brendy_éire]

Derry- Shamrock Rovers sold out last Friday.
So take 3.7k, minus whatever.

[Philosophizer]

That's some fall-back from the big crowd and heroics of Thursday. Disappointing that barely a quarter of the gate turned up for this bread and butter fixture.
In fairness to Pat's they did an email marketing campaign to try to entice people who had been in Tallaght on Thursday to go again on Sunday.
I got an email thanking me for my support and Thursday, and announcing that for Sunday's game there were 3 FREE child tickets for every general admission ticket bought - an incredibly generous deal really.
Yet still it was the lowest attendance of the year...

[Kingswood Rover]

Rovers and Dundalk on a Sunday at 7 pm now thats gonna be a bad time for lots of fans then a game again on Thursday 4.5k would be very healthy IMB. South and west stands now sold out for home ferencvaros game so you would expect the east to follow suit with maybe some walk ups on the day to make it a capacity attendance.

[wonder88]

2265 at Turners Cross, for the visit of Waterford. Not great for a top v third game.

[EatYerGreens]

Is it me, or has there been a bigger drop off than usual in crowds this Summer ? Is it the weather, or what's behind it ? Seems strange in the First anyway, given how competitive and entertaining it is this year.

[Nesta99]

Its quite likely, similar numbers may be heading off on holidays, but its more noticeable because the fall off is from a much higher average attendances. I dont think the weather would have made a major difference bar this weekend's heatwave, we've pretty much avoided temperatures above the average, though less rain which should generally help attendances. I think we all suspected that the 1st and 2nd round surge in crowds could fall off as there was some post pandemic novelty in play. Hopefully heading in to the final round of game crowds will be up again for the run in if things are tight so everyone should be hoping for a Dundalk win on Sunday- for the sake of the league and all that.

[Jd2793]

shocking crowd for a huge game, good waterford crowd too. monday game + holidays but still would have expected 3k for this one.

[ontheotherhand]

Is it me, or has there been a bigger drop off than usual in crowds this Summer ? Is it the weather, or what's behind it ? Seems strange in the First anyway, given how competitive and entertaining it is this year.

Everything's getting pricier?

[EatYerGreens]

Everything's getting pricier?

Except LOI football.

[ontheotherhand]

Except LOI football.

It is a bit to be fair. We had to increase certain ticket prices to deal with extra security etc.


But either way, people just have less money to spend. To be honest it's been amazing the crowds have been as healthy as they are. Imagine if people had disposable income to burn?

[nr637]

[QUOTE=Jd2793;2120811]shocking crowd for a huge game, good waterford crowd too. monday game + holidays but still would have expected 3k for this one.[/QUOTE

City will probably bring that 2265 shocking attendance in away support down to St. Colmans Park on Friday night for the away game with Cobh Ramblers! :confused:

[JC_GUFC]

1668 at the RSC last night. Best atmosphere of the season too.

I'd estimated 1,700!!

Great atmosphere created by the Blues fans alright - had we managed to stay ahead for more than 8 minutes maybe things would have turned. Well deserved win in the end, I was unsure about the 2nd penalty but on the balance of play Waterford deserved it. I guess it's a pity for you that you didn't back it up last night but down to 10 men after 8 minutes you did well to get a draw.

You'll definitely be a very tough team to beat in the playoffs.

[Jd2793]

[QUOTE=Jd2793;2120811]shocking crowd for a huge game, good waterford crowd too. monday game + holidays but still would have expected 3k for this one.[/QUOTE

City will probably bring that 2265 shocking attendance in away support down to St. Colmans Park on Friday night for the away game with Cobh Ramblers! :confused:

yep will be close to that id imagine.

[sulywaterfordfc]

2265 at Turners Cross, for the visit of Waterford. Not great for a top v third game.

I was extremely surprised myself, normally cork do be out in their numbers when they’re doing well. Factor in there was probably 4/500 away fans last night that’s like 1700/1800 home fans, I expected there to be at least 3k at the game.

[El-Pietro]

I was extremely surprised myself, normally cork do be out in their numbers when they’re doing well. Factor in there was probably 4/500 away fans last night that’s like 1700/1800 home fans, I expected there to be at least 3k at the game.

No chance there was that many away fans. 300 tops. Definitely less than earlier in the season.

With regards the home attendance, we've had 3 home games (Athlone, Treaty, Waterford) in 11 days, and we're following that up with Cobh away on Friday.

[nigel-harps1954]

Harps v Sligo - 1,230. 130 away fans scanned in.

[El-Pietro]

1953 in Cobh tonight. Was supposed to be a limit of 600 tickets available for City but I'd say you could easily double that number.

[EatYerGreens]

Harps v Sligo - 1,230. 130 away fans scanned in.

That sounds like a decent crowd consideruing what Harps have had recently. Big win for the club as well.

How does that away crowd compare to the usual from Sligo ?

[joey B]

That sounds like a decent crowd consideruing what Harps have had recently. Big win for the club as well.

How does that away crowd compare to the usual from Sligo ?

Definitely a smaller crowd than usual up from Sligo,they'd always usually be the second biggest after Derry in terms of an away following that come up,Bohs took more in the cup a couple of weeks ago,I suppose their domestic form has taken a hit after their exploits in Europe.....

[outspoken]

450+ at Longford v Wexford. Maybe 30 away fans who brought great noise with them, actually a really good atmosphere at what was an enjoyable game

[joey B]

5525 for Rovers/Dundalk last night ….

[Neish]

Definitely a smaller crowd than usual up from Sligo,they'd always usually be the second biggest after Derry in terms of an away following that come up,Bohs took more in the cup a couple of weeks ago,I suppose their domestic form has taken a hit after their exploits in Europe.....

Last weekend of school holidays too played a part there too I'd say.

Was in the ticket booth there were a lot of late arrivals on friday though, usually from about 7:45-8:05 would be busy then just stragglers after that , but it was 8:20/8:30 before it calmed down on friday. I say a lot saw the good weather in the evening a decided last minute to head to Finn Park

[nr637]

The NI Football League has revealed a 32% increase of fans.
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/irish-league-boast-huge-rise-23906483

[bohsmug]

Just reading back over this but how exactly is a crowd of over 2k on a Monday in a first division match "shocking". :D

Cork's attendances have been brilliant and that's still an attendance that few clubs would achieve in the first division, even on a Friday. Unless it was a night to seal the championship. Cork will probably have 5 - 7k if they get to that point.

[EatYerGreens]

The NI Football League has revealed a 32% increase of fans.
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/irish-league-boast-huge-rise-23906483

I think you have to poke at those figures with a stick to get to the facts beneath them.

Anyone who's been to watch Warrenpoint play can confirm that the club literally has feck all supporters. So if they posted a 75% increase in attendances then that would reflect 1) A small increase from a low base, and 2) Mostly driven by away fans.

The attendances in the north are good for the regional clubs like Coleraine, Larne and Ballymena. Much less so for the Belfast clubs, given the size of their city. Linfield's average last year was less than 3,000. For a club that dominates pretty much all the time and has the best stadium on the island in a large city, that is pretty poor really. Also - as European money means that Linfield is likely to continue dominating the IL, surely the attendnaces at other clubs will tail off longer term as it becomes even more of a one horse race?

[nigel-harps1954]

The NI Football League has revealed a 32% increase of fans.
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/irish-league-boast-huge-rise-23906483

Yet, there were only just over 4,700 in Windsor Park last night for one of Linfields biggest ever games. I thought, for the occasion, it was a shocking crowd. Would have thought they'd top 7,000 or more for that game.

[EatYerGreens]

Yet, there were only just over 4,700 in Windsor Park last night for one of Linfields biggest ever games. I thought, for the occasion, it was a shocking crowd. Would have thought they'd top 7,000 or more for that game.

Unless they're playing Glentoran in the paraochial Belfast 'super-prod' derby, then they tend to not get crowds that are all that good really. It muts be pretty boring to win most of the time.

[D24Saint]

Yet, there were only just over 4,700 in Windsor Park last night for one of Linfields biggest ever games. I thought, for the occasion, it was a shocking crowd. Would have thought they'd top 7,000 or more for that game.

Looked a shocker alright. The football fans up north are too strung out on Celtic and Rangers. If they cant get a decent crowd and atmosphere for that game last night then they are a lost cause.

[nigel-harps1954]

There were 11,000 in for the League Cup final back in March in Windsor Park. If they can get that sort of a crowd in for a League Cup final, you would have expected something similar for the play-off round for a potential first ever European group stage qualification.

[EatYerGreens]

Looked a shocker alright. The football fans up north are too strung out on Celtic and Rangers. If they cant get a decent crowd and atmosphere for that game last night then they are a lost cause.

I think it's more the parochial nature of the north (or at least certain communities up there anyway).

It wasn't until the last couple of years that IL clubs started taking European football seriously by not letting key players and even managers go on holiday when the games are on. The Setanta cup never really captured the attention of IL clubs even though 2 of them won it. If it's not local, and especially if they'll struggle to win, then they just aren't interested.

Sure fans of Belfast clubs used to complain about having to travel an hour and a half to games in Ballinamallard. Small minds that are happy in a small league. The 'our wee country' outlook. It's why an all-island league will always struggle to get support up there.

[Nesta99]

Maybe the way clubs have not been interested in competing in Europe, manager and players being on holidays, home ground booked out for home game, well the crowds may still have disinterest. Linfield were the first side that publicly said that European progression was a target and were damn close to the ECL groups. They have to mature to a level of being more ruthless and cynical at this level. You'd still have thought there'd be more Bluesmen through the gate. Is there any neutral following of the Irish league in Europe that you get in LoI? I doubt it though.

[EalingGreen]

The NI Football League has revealed a 32% increase of fans.
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/irish-league-boast-huge-rise-23906483


The NI Football League has revealed a 32% increase of fans.
https://www.belfastlive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/irish-league-boast-huge-rise-23906483
That was for last season (2021/22).

Meanwhile, they've had an encouraging start to this season, too, with crowds higher again than last season's 1,440 average:

https://www.irishleaguesupporters.com/attendances.php

https://www.nifootballleague.com/premiership/2022-2023/results/

Some points to note:
1. Glenavon's reported 586 vs Larne was understated because their ticket scanners weren't working, so they had to wave some ticket holders through without recording them;
2. Newry will be delighted at breaking the 2k mark against Linfield on a Sunday;
3. Linfield also had a decent crowd of 2,806 at home to Portadown also on a Sunday(!);
4. Glentoran's 3,175 at home to Crues was especially notable for (a ) being on a Friday evening, and (b ) live streamed on BBC;
5. Coleraine have resumed where they left off last season with 2,657 vs Cliftonville (not sure what's behind it);
6. Larne's 2,695 season opener vs Glentoran on a Friday evening, livestreamed on BBC, shows just what can be achieved with decent investment in players and stadium (esp). Before Bruce took over they hardly broke 3 figures in a run down Inver Park.

[EalingGreen]

I think you have to poke at those figures with a stick to get to the facts beneath them.

Anyone who's been to watch Warrenpoint play can confirm that the club literally has feck all supporters. So if they posted a 75% increase in attendances then that would reflect 1) A small increase from a low base, and 2) Mostly driven by away fans.

Warrtenpoint have been replaced this season by Newry City, who should draw bigger crowds Remains to be seen exactly how much bigger.



The attendances in the north are good for the regional clubs like Coleraine, Larne and Ballymena. Much less so for the Belfast clubs, given the size of their city. Linfield's average last year was less than 3,000. For a club that dominates pretty much all the time and has the best stadium on the island in a large city, that is pretty poor really. Also - as European money means that Linfield is likely to continue dominating the IL, surely the attendnaces at other clubs will tail off longer term as it becomes even more of a one horse race?
The metropolitan area population of Belfast is 585k (285k for the city itself). There are 4 top flight clubs in the city.

The population of Dublin City is is 1.4m(?), with the Greater Dublin area bringing it up to 2m. There are 5 top flight clubs in the city, incl. UCD.

[EalingGreen]

Yet, there were only just over 4,700 in Windsor Park last night for one of Linfields biggest ever games. I thought, for the occasion, it was a shocking crowd. Would have thought they'd top 7,000 or more for that game.Yeah, it's a shame there werent a whole lot more there.

You know, to witness the humiliation... ;)

FTB (and the horse they rode in on)!

[EalingGreen]

There were 11,000 in for the League Cup final back in March in Windsor Park. If they can get that sort of a crowd in for a League Cup final, you would have expected something similar for the play-off round for a potential first ever European group stage qualification.Not only that, but the final didn't even involve Linfield!

It was between Cliftonville and Coleraine and on a Sunday. Seems that it was very well publicised and promoted, also very well priced, so the fans didn't feel gouged.

And the League Cup plays very much second fiddle to the Irish Cup.

[ger121]

Yet, there were only just over 4,700 in Windsor Park last night for one of Linfields biggest ever games. I thought, for the occasion, it was a shocking crowd. Would have thought they'd top 7,000 or more for that game.

They’ve been trying for so long to get out of Europe, that the attraction of getting back into Europe is just not that appealing to a lot of their fanbase😬

[Philosophizer]

The population of Dublin City is is 1.4m(?), with the Greater Dublin area bringing it up to 2m. There are 5 top flight clubs in the city, incl. UCD.
Urban population of Dublin is 1.17m I believe.
The definition of greater Dublin or the metropolitan area or whatever can be a bit mad. Some include Dundalk down as far as Wexford.

[EalingGreen]

Urban population of Dublin is 1.17m I believe.
The definition of greater Dublin or the metropolitan area or whatever can be a bit mad. Some include Dundalk down as far as Wexford.
Fair enough.

But however you measure it, Dublin's population is somewhere between 3 and 4 times that of Belfast's.

Btw, the 1891 Census showed that Belfast's population had overtaken that of Dublin, a circumstance that prevailed for some years:
https://www.historyireland.com/belfast-at-its-zenith/

Which situation correlated closely with the introduction and development of football in Ireland (IFA founded 1880).

[nigel-harps1954]

1. Glenavon's reported 586 vs Larne was understated because their ticket scanners weren't working, so they had to wave some ticket holders through without recording them.

To be fair, that happens at almost every ground. I think my ticket into Finn Park this season has been scanned properly maybe three or four times all season..after a couple of failed attempts to scan I'm just waved through the gate.

[joey B]

Fair enough.

But however you measure it, Dublin's population is somewhere between 3 and 4 times that of Belfast's.

Btw, the 1891 Census showed that Belfast's population had overtaken that of Dublin, a circumstance that prevailed for some years:
https://www.historyireland.com/belfast-at-its-zenith/

Which situation correlated closely with the introduction and development of football in Ireland (IFA founded 1880).

What happened to Portadown Ealing? seen a picture of their game against yourselves tonight and the home end looked empty compared to the crowd Glentoran brought.....

[Shinkicker]

There were 11,000 in for the League Cup final back in March in Windsor Park. If they can get that sort of a crowd in for a League Cup final, you would have expected something similar for the play-off round for a potential first ever European group stage qualification.
That final in March was played on a Sunday. This was a first. I've said before that all amateur and intermediate football is played on Saturday 2pm kick off, so anyone who plays football can't go to watch their Irish league team play. Linfield have now played a number of games on Sundays and have stated the attendances are up considerably against the same opposition comoared to when the matches were played on Saturday.

[Shinkicker]

Warrtenpoint have been replaced this season by Newry City, who should draw bigger crowds Remains to be seen exactly how much bigger.


The metropolitan area population of Belfast is 585k (285k for the city itself). There are 4 top flight clubs in the city.

The population of Dublin City is is 1.4m(?), with the Greater Dublin area bringing it up to 2m. There are 5 top flight clubs in the city, incl. UCD.
Newry will draw bigger crowds than Warrenpoint as Warrenpoint is hard to get to and in most cases you have to go through Newry to get to Warrenpoint. Newry have always had a well run Football club but a bit of financial skulduggery was their down fall. Only the fact that someone seperated the team from the facility they would have lost everything. They are well positioned to attract players from across the border but they certainly won't attract support. As for the big 4 in Belfast their supporters are very local. I lived in a village 10 miles from Belfast and full of cliftonville and Linfield supporters but they only went to 2-3 games a year including Cup finals and thought the football was brilliant when it really wasn't.

[EalingGreen]

What happened to Portadown Ealing? seen a picture of their game against yourselves tonight and the home end looked empty compared to the crowd Glentoran brought.....
Cant really comment on the Ports' support, but I suspect that generally, crowds are suffering from recent years in the doldrums, plus a poor season back in the Prem last tiime out.

More specific to last night, losing their first 3 league games on the trot this season can't have helped (albeit against decent teams).

Last night the crowd was 1,443, which you might have said wasn't too bad, except that the Glens sold out their allocation a couple of days in advance. I think the away end holds c.1,000, which means maybe 500 Ports max?

Which if correct is very poor for what should be a leading provincial side. Interestingly, PFC have recently unveiled plans to opem a 1k seater stand to replace the currently disused former Main Stand, which would boost capacity to 3,800 all seated. (Also install a 4G pitch and build an indoor training "dome" facility behind the fourth end):
https://portadownfc.co.uk/shamrock-park-development/

I can only assume they're hoping ro fund it via a big chunk of the £36m earmarked for sub-regional stadium funding from Stormont. As against that, it's already been there for a decade, being eaten away by inflation, and who knows how long it will take for those clowns to get their heads from their arses and actually do something with it.

[nr637]

Meanwhile lets get back to our wonderful League & Cup!

Any attendances for the FAI Cup games so far, Bonagee supposed to have sold out around 1,000 for their home game with Shels.

[brendy_éire]

To be fair, that happens at almost every ground. I think my ticket into Finn Park this season has been scanned properly maybe three or four times all season..after a couple of failed attempts to scan I'm just waved through the gate.

Though maybe it's in the interests of northern clubs for tickets not to be scanned, since it makes tracking the VAT payable more difficult.

Would always take IL attendances figures with a pinch of salt, they could often be higher.

[oriel]

Warrtenpoint have been replaced this season by Newry City, who should draw bigger crowds Remains to be seen exactly how much bigger.


The metropolitan area population of Belfast is 585k (285k for the city itself). There are 4 top flight clubs in the city.

The population of Dublin City is is 1.4m(?), with the Greater Dublin area bringing it up to 2m. There are 5 top flight clubs in the city, incl. UCD.

The 2.2k crowd for Newry v Linfield was high for a few reasons, first game back top flight, Sunday and Linfield prob took around 800+ but that said its still a decent crowd, however once they return to Sat 3pm (and for the life of me I just cannot understand this why IL clubs continue with it), I think they'll be doing well to get over 500 at most games. The interest in the town is just not there, have relations living up there, and its a GAA town mixed with Liverpool and Man U in pubs !

[brendy_éire]

Derry-Cork last night was sold out. 3.7k-ish.

[El-Pietro]

Derry-Cork last night was sold out. 3.7k-ish.
43 travelling fans.

[oldfan]

Does the Nationalist/Catholic population of Newry and Warrenpoint take any interest in the 2 IL Clubs?