by Elliott Dineen
Munster rugby has been built on fanatical support and is one of the key elements for the success the province has achieved in recent years. Their renowned passion and atmosphere has been built around their admiration of the icons that have graced the fields of Thomond Park and Musgrave Park. However, recent statistics from the Munster Rugby branch of the IRFU suggests this might not be the case. The common perception is that the “special” individuals within a group or team draw crowds. Few would argue that a return of Irish internationals after the November test matches to any league game would add a significant increase in spectators. In the case of Munster rugby and the redevelopment of Thomond Park, a curious case has seemed to emerge. It seems the size of the stadium could be the main factor.
In the 07/08 season, the IRFU decided to expand Thomond Park from 26,000 from the previous full capacity of 13,200. The previous season saw only one game at full capacity league game with Munster’s ever-present rivals Leinster drawing the crowds. No other game came close to filling the stadium and yet the expansion was approved. This decision was a roaring success. That season, the closest to nearing full capacity, besides the Leinster game, was Connacht at 8,000 attendees. It would be future games like those against Connacht that contribute to the apparent importance of stadia size.
The table below shows, for example, the attendances of Munster’s games against Connacht pre- and post-redevelopment of Thomond Park in the then Celtic League. Musgrave Park held all league games during the 07/08 season due to the reconstruction of Thomond Park.
The table below shows, for example, the attendances of Munster’s games against Connacht pre- and post-redevelopment of Thomond Park in the then Celtic League. Musgrave Park held all league games during the 07/08 season due to the reconstruction of Thomond Park.
Unusually, after the redevelopment, the game was sold out despite never coming close to achieving so with two significantly smaller stadiums. Connacht being the weakest Irish rivals to Munster, tended to have less enticement to fans. Note that despite only 3 more internationally capped players in the matchday squad, just under 20,000 more spectators watched the contest in 2008/2009 season. The average attendance figure for the match is equally as significant from the finished expansion period to the 12/13 season. 22,000 people attend the game despite the amount of capped players in the team dropping to 6.7 on average.
It could be said that the significant jump in ticket sales for Thomond’s reopening in 08/09 could be based on Munster’s Heineken Cup triumph the previous season. However, attendances declined the season after Munster’s Maiden victory in the competition in 2005/2006 (This is including capped players playing for Munster remaining largely unchanged.). Therefore, that reasoning is to a certain degree is inconclusive. Leinster matches are the exception to the trend as at least 23,000 spectators have attended the games since the redevelopment with the amount of capped players ranging from 6 – 16 during that period. Games against Edinburgh and Ospreys follow a similar pattern to Connacht. Both playing in Thomond Park and Musgrave Park, viewed in modest numbers prior to returning to the expanded Thomond, only to see an inexplicable rise in ticket sales.
Musgrave Park has seen an increase in attendances of 54.4% with an increase of 21.1% in internationally capped players in the matchday squads over the past 9 seasons. Thomond has seen a 169.45% increase in the same period while there has been a 12.2% decrease in capped players. Keeping in mind, Thomond Park only sold out three games in the previous three seasons leading up to the expansion. With overall increases in attendees, the statistics further devalues the importance of playing high profile players.
In recent times, fans seem to consider where they watch Munster rather than who is actually wearing the famous red jersey. The point must be made that the fan base has significantly differed before and after the expansion, for league games anyway. If it is not the main factor, it is certainly a notable one. Munster fans may now see Thomond Park as a theatre where its atmosphere is just as important as seeing the players they adore.
It could be said that the significant jump in ticket sales for Thomond’s reopening in 08/09 could be based on Munster’s Heineken Cup triumph the previous season. However, attendances declined the season after Munster’s Maiden victory in the competition in 2005/2006 (This is including capped players playing for Munster remaining largely unchanged.). Therefore, that reasoning is to a certain degree is inconclusive. Leinster matches are the exception to the trend as at least 23,000 spectators have attended the games since the redevelopment with the amount of capped players ranging from 6 – 16 during that period. Games against Edinburgh and Ospreys follow a similar pattern to Connacht. Both playing in Thomond Park and Musgrave Park, viewed in modest numbers prior to returning to the expanded Thomond, only to see an inexplicable rise in ticket sales.
Musgrave Park has seen an increase in attendances of 54.4% with an increase of 21.1% in internationally capped players in the matchday squads over the past 9 seasons. Thomond has seen a 169.45% increase in the same period while there has been a 12.2% decrease in capped players. Keeping in mind, Thomond Park only sold out three games in the previous three seasons leading up to the expansion. With overall increases in attendees, the statistics further devalues the importance of playing high profile players.
In recent times, fans seem to consider where they watch Munster rather than who is actually wearing the famous red jersey. The point must be made that the fan base has significantly differed before and after the expansion, for league games anyway. If it is not the main factor, it is certainly a notable one. Munster fans may now see Thomond Park as a theatre where its atmosphere is just as important as seeing the players they adore.
Elliott Dineen is a student in BSc Finance Third Year in UCC.
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