With the 2022 NRL season finished and the Penrith Panthers crowned the Premiers for the second season running, the average crowd attendances for each club has now been released.
The runaway leader was the Brisbane Broncos with an average attendance of 29,594. The Broncos looked set for a return to finals football in 2022 before their season ended in disappoint in the final few weeks, but with large crowds still attending games at Suncorp stadium expect another push for a top 8 finish in 2023.
The team with the lowest average attendance in 2022 was Cronulla Sharks which is surprising considering their on field success as they came second on the ladder. PointsBet Stadium, or as it more commonly referred to ‘Shark Park’, is one of the smaller grounds in the NRL with maximum capacity of 20,000. Coupled along side the fact it was under renovations during the past season it is no surprise Cronulla’s average attendance suffered, with the renovation set to be complete in mid 2023 expect to see the Sharks average attendance higher next season.
The 2022 season also saw two clubs return to their home grounds for the first time since the Covid pandemic, Melbourne Storm and New Zealand Warriors. The people of Melbourne welcomed their team back to Victoria for the first time since their 2020 Premiership win and AAMI Park had an average attendance of 18,390.
The Warriors also returned home for the first time since 2020 as they had been based in Redcliffe in Queensland during the 2021 season, their first few games back at Mt Smart Stadium brought in an average attendance of 12,930.
Reigning Premiers, Penrith Panthers had an average attendance of 17,588. A respectable figure as BlueBet stadium has a maximum capacity of 22,550 – a reflection of their on field success.
See below the average attendances for each club;
Brisbane Broncos – 29,594
Parramatta Eels – 20,015
Melbourne Storm – 18,390
Sydney Roosters – 17,705
Penrith Panthers – 17,588
North Queensland Cowboys – 17,210
Newcastle Knights – 16,890
Gold Coast Titans 15,184
Canterbury Bulldogs – 14,851
Manly Sea Eagles – 14,851
South Sydney Rabbitohs – 14,309
Wests Tigers – 13,699
New Zealand Warriors – 12,930
Canberra Raiders – 12,620
St George Illawarra Dragons – 12,116
Cronulla Sharks – 12,044