The Rugby League World Cup’s first round of fixtures have been and gone.
It was absolutely outstanding from start to finish beginning with a brilliant game between England and Samoa as England stunned the favourites for the game with a 10-try demolition of the Samoans in front of 43,119 fans at St James’ Park as well 1.8 million tv viewers which has contributed to a 3.8 million accumulative TV audience.
There’s been some real fantastic contests between the likes of Tonga and Papua New Guinea – which also recorded a brilliant attendance of over 10,000 – and Wales and Cook Islands.
Meanwhile, 13,000 fans watched Australia vs Fiji at Headingley and got to share in a lovely moment as the players spent 45 minutes taking pictures with fans.
However, after what Jon Dutton described as a “disappointing” attendance for New Zealand vs Lebanon at Warrington, many have shared concerns about ticket sales and attendances and this only intensified with 4000 fans watching France vs Greece this week.
Some have said that they believe the prices are too high in a cost of living crisis currently in the country but tournament organisers have revealed amazing ticket sales in the wake of the World Cup opener between England and Samoa on Saturday night.
Organisers revealed that on Saturday there were more tickets sold than at any other point with a huge 35,000 tickets already being sold for the semi-final England are likely to contest at Arsenal’s Emirates stadium as plenty of fans looked to plot England’s route to the final and bought tickets for those games.
What’s more important is the fact that the highest selling postcode was in London showing the growth of the sport in the capital which is something IMG recognised is a must for the sport in their recommendations.
Jon Dutton said: “There were more tickets sold more than any other point on Saturday. The most buying postcode was from London.”
Huddersfield Giants
Jake Connor takes swipe at Leeds Rhinos fans
