Rugby League World Cup semi-final attendances outstanding compared to previous years

We’re headed to the Rugby League World Cup Final in 2022 as Australia take on Samoa in the decider at Old Trafford. 

It comes after two classic semi-finals both of which were watched by substantial crowds.

The first between Australia and New Zealand, which ended 16-14 in the favour of Mal Meninga’s side, was played out in front of 28,113 fans.

Only five semi-finals in the past have been watched by bigger crowds in the shape of the first semi-final in 1995 at Old Trafford, the crowd at Wembley for the 2013 double header, the brilliant atmosphere as England edged Tonga in 2017 and the other 2022 semi-final.

That of course saw England heartbreakingly lose to Samoa in Golden Point in front of 40,489 fans at the Emirates Stadium.

This attendance is only second to the 67,545 fans who watched Australia vs Fiji and England vs New Zealand in 2013.

Here’s a full list of attendances in semi-finals of the World Cup which only became a part of the format in 1995 after the predominate use of group games and round robins prior:

1995 England 25-10 Wales – Old Trafford – 30,042
1995 Australia 30-20 New Zealand – John Smith’s Stadium 16,608
2000 England 6-49 New Zealand – Rebok Stadium 16,032
2000 Australia 46-22 Wales – John Smith’s Stadium 8,114
2008 New Zealand 32-22 England – Suncorp Stadium 26,659
2008 Australia 52-0 Fiji – Sydney Football Stadium 15,855
2013 Australia 64-0 Fiji – Wembley 67,545
2013 England 14-18 New Zealand – Wembley 67,545
2017 Australia 54-6 Fiji – Suncorp Stadium 22,073
2017 Tonga 18-20 England – Mount Smart Stadium 30,003
2022 Australia 16-14 New Zealand – Elland Road 28,113
2022 England 26-27 Samoa – Emirates Stadium 40,489