Why are AFL attendances so much higher than NRL?

Question

According to Wikipedia, the Australian Football League (average crowds of 35,250) attracts a little over double the attendances of the National Rugby League (16,485). The Sydney Swans and Brisbane Lions, despite competing in a rubgy league dominated territory attract crowds of 28,448 and 32,877 on average respectively. Conversly, the Melbourne Storm NRL team only attract 12,020 supporters on average.

What is the reason for this difference? Why are rugby supporters less interested in watching live rubgy?

Answer 1

yes, just wondering if that is really true, I just assumed NRL had the bigger crowds given NSW has the largest population base in Aust?  I must confess to not really understanding NRL, but reasons could be smaller stadiums,  and having 2 Rugby competitions, ie League and Union could also impact.

But personally I think AFL is the better game as it is more free flowing than NRL which seems to be always having trussells in a pack and getting nowhere...(but admit I am bias as I'm from SA!).  

Just of interest  -does anyone know which has the highest television ratings AFL or NRL?

Answer 2

Im neither an AFL or NRL fan but my guess is they pull big crowds in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth with AFL simply because theres not much else to do in those cities. If I lived in Sydney or Brisbane (NRL dominant) I can understand everyone probably goes to the beach.

The AFL is so 'politically correct' the game has become a bore, players complaning that so and so called them a nasty name, crying when they get hurt etc. Ive seen tougher action watching Live Poker on tv. At least the NRL boys dont take for any non-sense and get on with it like men, no flies on them.

Answer 3

Dare i say it, obviously the masses know which is the better game and vote it each week with their bums on seats - AFL,90,000+ yesterday for the ANZAC clash a crowd the NRL could only dream of

Answer 4

coz AFL guys r s**y!!

Answer 5

i actually prefer nrl and i was born and bred in Melbourne but the facts are foxtel show all nrl games making it easier for fans to watch at home and all so cheaper but also the big factor is the afl gave away the small suburban grounds about 15 years ago and you get a undercover seat in comfort at the big stadiums but as long as the nrl and its fans have the attitude that they like the small suburban grounds which offer no comfort to fans the afl will always dominate, the fact the dragons went back to kogarah also sent the nrl back about 10 years, just look at the Anzac day games afl 90,000 and the nrl about 15000

Answer 6

AFL games are much better to watch live than NRL games. The size of the ground in Aussie Rules simply does not allow tv audiences to really watch the game, whereas the smaller field of Rugby League is perfect for the small screen. Another thing contributing to this also, I think, is that NRL games are broadcast a lot better than AFL games, think...NRL has Friday Night Footy (primetime), and a Sunday arvo game, both permanent fixtures and, especially Friday night footy, a bit of a tradition.

AFL has been established for longer, and it's is also much more of a family oriented sport, in my opinion, it's much more exciting for the little kids as it's constantly going and goals are kicked far more often than tries are scored.

Answer 7

Because NRL fans are not brainwashed from birth!

Answer 8

AFL is the better game! Simple as that.

Answer 9

NRL is prodominately played and supported in and around Sydney and Brisbane - the rest of the country pretty much plays and supports AFL - the AFL has a many more female supporters.

Answer 10

AFL is more broaded than NRL. NRL teams are based in NSW, ACT, VIC & QLD. Plus AFL has been there longer than NRL.

Answer 11

AFL is a much more exciting game to watch in comparison to Rugby League.  It also is less expensive, I live in Brisbane and it is far more expensive to go to the Broncos than to the Lions especially for families.  The cost of the tickets for both are about the same but once you are in the stadium the cost of food, drinks etc is heaps more at Suncorp than what it is a the Gabba, also security at Suncorp does not allow you to take your own food in, I was forced to bin an unopened bottle of water and told if I want water to buy it inside only to find that water was only 10 cents cheaper than a beer.