The Telstra Premiership tonight smashed through the three million attendance mark and is on track to become the biggest in NRL history.
Following tonight’s matches in Auckland and at Brookvale Oval and Toyota Stadium in Sydney, attendances for 2009 Telstra Premiership matches have climbed to 3,014,308 with three games still to be played.
The highest regular season attendance in NRL history was 3,024,149 set in 2007, while the highest attendance in the game’s history of 3,061,338 was set in a 20-team competition in 1995.
“This is a significant achievement given some of the forecasts at the start of the season and a reflection of the work the NRL and the clubs have placed in building memberships and game-day activities such as Family Fun Days,” Mr Gallop said.
“The quality of play has reached new levels in recent weeks and once again the race for the finals is going down to the last day of the regular season.
“We have the Knights and Panthers fighting for the last finals spot, the Roosters farewelling one of the game’s great servants in Craig Fitzgibbon and the Broncos looking to improve their position in the top eight.
“For some fans tomorrow will be the last chance to see their team play this year, so I encourage everyone to get out and enjoy Father’s Day at the footy.”