Premiership Rugby "has had a booming year" in '16-17 with average attendances up 10.1% to 12,875 and average occupancy up 4.5% to 79.6%, according to Ian Field of ATOMIC SPORT. Wasps has "shown the biggest uplift in average occupancy this season," which is "doubly impressive" as it has the biggest stadium to fill, the 32,609-capacity Ricoh Arena. Average occupancy is up 11.1% from 46.2% to 57.2%. The team's average attendance is up 3,611 from 15,051 to 18,662, "representing an uplift of 24% from last season." Wasps also "smashed" last season's best attendance by 6,062, "with the visit of Saracens filling the Ricoh Arena to 30,115" -- 92% of capacity. Of the 12 teams in the Premiership, five "boast an average occupancy of over 90%." Harlequins has had the highest stadium utilization rate of 98%. Saracens leads a "pack of teams including Northampton Saints and Bath Rugby" with 95%, with Exeter Chiefs at 91.2%, followed by Leicester Tigers and Gloucester with 89% and 88%, respectively. Leicester Tigers "actually boast the highest average attendance" with 22,899 (ATOMIC SPORT, 5/17).
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| Source: ATOMIC SPORT |
