NRL’s Warriors welcoming highest home crowds since the 1990s

Marking a strong resurgence after three seasons impacted by the pandemic, the New Zealand Warriors are experiencing their highest average home crowd numbers since 1995.

The team's win over the Dolphins last week at Go Media Stadium Mt Smart was watched by a 23,686, representing the latest peak in a season of heightened attendances.

In the first four home games, there were 86,371 spectators, equating to an average 21,592 per game. The earlier matches against the Bulldogs, Cowboys and Roosters also saw impressive turnouts of 18,595, 23,695 and 20,395 respectively.

Initiatives such as children entering for free have helped boost family attendances at games.

Last season also saw the Warriors attracting significant crowds, averaging 20,282 spectators across four games.

The heightened numbers there were against Wests Tigers, Melbourne, Canterbury-Bankstown, and Gold Coast.

Only twice since 1995 have the Warriors seen 20,000-plus averages for the first four matches of the year at Mount Smart - in 2009 (20,084) and 1996 (20,042). The 2009 spike was attributed to the Kiwis' historic Rugby League World Cup victory over Australia in November of the previous year.

Back in 1995, a total of 110,252 fans were recorded across the first four matches at Ericsson Stadium, averaging 27,563 per game.

Following an away match against Canberra, and then St George Illawarra in Wollongong on 23rd June, the Warriors are set to host five of their last nine games at home. Their opponents include South Sydney, Cronulla-Sutherland, Canberra, Manly Warringah, and St George Illawarra.

An additional away match against the Wests Tigers will take place in Hamilton on Saturday 12th August.

Image credit: Go Media Stadium Mt Smart.