The URC clash between the Stormers and Bulls earlier this year at Cape Town Stadium attracted around 50 000 spectators.
Image: Henk Kruger Independent Media
Over one million fans have turned up to United Rugby Championship games in just 11 rounds, the shortest time it has taken to break that attendance barrier so far.
Since the URC kicked off in 2021, the one million fan mark has been reached faster each season – two years ago it happened in Round 14 and last season it was Round 12, before taking just 11 rounds this time around.
The single-round attendance record was set for the fourth time in little over a year with confirmation that over 160 780 fans turned up across Round 9.
With seven rounds left to play, 15 of the league’s 16 clubs are involved in the battle to reach the play-offs and that appeal has led to yet more growth in the URC’s attendance, broadcast and social audience figures.
Already this season close to half of games (45.3%) played have been decided by seven points or less.
In addition to the new single-round record, the average attendance so far is up 14% on this point last season (and 20% compared to 2022/23). Clubs across the league are adding to the match-day experience with big events. An example is the Sharks Fest in Durban featuring well-known performers.
Already the single-round record for the biggest broadcast audience in the URC has been broken this season with 3.5 million people tuning in during Round 3.
The URC’s overall following across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, YouTube and X now stands at 1.5million, which is a 12% increase since the season began – making it the fastest-growing club rugby league in the world.
The fixture with the second-highest attendance in Round 9 was the coastal derby between the Stormers and Sharks, which 46 002 fans flocked to.