Attendances 2023

[Eminence Grise]

Did a quick tot on ground capacity for both divisions and multiplied sell-outs over an 18 home game season - a shade under 1.6m.

But that's an absolute max from Wikipedia figures - so no seats or terraces lost to segregating crowds, or areas that aren't open, for instance. And, of course, the biggest capacity for growth (and the hardest to achieve) is in the first division club rattling around a ground so big it'd need a four or five-fold increase in attendance to fill it. Ah, we live in hope...

[nigel-harps1954]

Hard to see how we'll do that without signnificant capacity increases?

Requires all 20 teams to increase their league average by 310 people. That's not beyond the realms of possibility.

[EatYerGreens]

Requires all 20 teams to increase their league average by 310 people. That's not beyond the realms of possibility.

The problem is that clubs like UCD will see their average fall next seaosn. So that 310 figure per team will need to get higher for everyone else to compensate etc etc. The easiest way to increase total attendances across the league would be for clubs like Bohs and Pats to get extra capacity, rather than expect UCD, Longford, Kerry and Wexford to start pulling up treess all of a ssudden. But those ground improvements are still some way off yet.

I'd be delighted if we could exceed 1 million next year but I sense we're probably still a few years off that yet. I'd be very disappointed if we're not above that level for league fixtures alone by 2030 though, if not earlier.

[Philosophizer]

Will Rovers sell any games out once they've got a 10,000 capacity? If both they and Bohs are doing well, and if they're generous with away tickets, you would hope a derby game would come close anyway.
I’d say the Rovers v Bohs derby will easily get 10k. I don’t think there would be any doubt about that. Rovers v Pats might get it too as long as both teams are going well.

[Kingswood Rover]

I’d say the Rovers v Bohs derby will easily get 10k. I don’t think there would be any doubt about that. Rovers v Pats might get it too as long as both teams are going well.

Speaking with a regular Ireland fan but not LOI fan and he could not believe how 2 LOI clubs could create a better atmosphere when compared to an Ireland game. He spoke about how the Ireland Singing Crowd you would think would be bigger than any club singing section and was blown away by the passion, the numbers and vociferous support of the Bohs fans in that section. I told him to jog on and come to Ringsend next year when Dublins Green and White are in the final for proper atmosphere.

[John83]

The problem is that clubs like UCD will see their average fall next seaosn.
The average fall at UCD should be more than compensated by the average rise at the team that replaces them in the premier.

[LTFC]

I think 310 average would be extraordinary even in Premier....
The 2 relegated teams had 4400 between them and the 2 promoted teams had close to 4k between, so allowing them to average 2500 each theres your first 2 x 310.
Can Bohs, Pats, Drogs - I think all have capacity issues to go much higher than now.
Sligo, Dundalk, Derry, Shels - would all have to be having good seasons to increase by that much next year.
Rovers, just passed 6k, and with extra capacity could hit 6500 average.

In first cant see UCD and Cork staying where they are, and Longford, Athlone, Kerry, Wexford, Finn Harp and Cobh would be probably take this years average if you asked then now. Treaty, well you always feel with size of Limerick it has capacity to grow, and Bray hard to know.
Hopefully my pessimism will be unfounded!

[Knocklyonhoop]

If Cork are going well they’ll get big crowds. They did last time in 1st division ?

[Martinho II]

If Cork are going well they’ll get big crowds. They did last time in 1st division ?

yeah correct

[LTFC]

Piece out today on attendances, up 20% since last year. Not much news to us but good to see in the media.

[EatYerGreens]

Piece out today on attendances, up 20% since last year. Not much news to us but good to see in the media.

Does this mean we're no longer classed as a pub-league any more? It's all so very confusing.

[John83]

The pubs are seeing declining custom, too, so the bar is falling even as the LoI jumps higher.

[legendz]

"Only Dundalk (-2%) and relegated UCD (-16%) saw a decrease in the top flight."

17 clubs had more support and Kerry joined of course. A lot of positives this year with a new club joining the league, the increase in attendances, Virgin Media coming on board to show some games and the "sellout" FAI Cup final.
With many of us supporting our own clubs on a Friday night, it's a pity there cannot be a standalone kickoff time for the highest profile game of the weekend, that is being covered by TV or even LOITV.
People have different opinions on it. Monday night is the one night that doesn't clash with other sports that RTÉ or Virgin Media will be contracted to cover. Clubs are accustomed to Monday evenings as well. It seems the one evening that could become established for a standalone game. There are only a few Monday evening full round of fixtures during the season.

[LTFC]

I'm not sure I'd agree. If you look at Rovers, they would argue that Monday games damaged their attendances - pretty sure they were all below 5k. Clubs would need to be compensated properly for that.

[Buckett]

I think having games spread over a few days would be a good thing. Have three games on the Friday, one on Saturday evening and one on Sunday afternoon. LOITV would probably make more money as a result and, I believe, the clubs would get the profits. It's the closest thing to a TV deal that the League has so might as well milk it.

[oriel]

"Only Dundalk (-2%) and relegated UCD (-16%) saw a decrease in the top flight."



Dundalk def slightly down, but at same time there has been a remarkable (modest) consistency last 10 years, (Covid era not included).

Dundalk - 2,636 (2,689; 2,775; 2,738; 2,674; 2,738; 3,158; 2,534)

Just can't seem to get over that 3k figure, and that only one was 2015 in Kenny era, facilities obv won't help, lack of cover, wet night, no thanks from most.

[Nesta99]

It is consistant, maybe different people should have a go at the official guesstimate on match night just to mix things up a bit. Its a a solid base to work from, little growth truly deveoped during a successful era feels like such a missed opportunity but there were few enough people involved already up to their eyeballs in day to day stuff. This is one area that P6 could have been hot on, ground aside, knowing the existing fanbase inside out and looking at where to go to develop beyond that core. Fans wanting, expecting even, a Cat4 ground for these sort of numbers ...

[wonder88]

I would estimate 450-500 approx at the Galway women v Underdogs game to finish off the TG4 tv series. Decent game, and a great effort from the Underdogs, with a great strike from Jodie Griffin to win it.
I suppose we wont feel the time going to the pre-season games.