Was the first one back at Wembley though so probably got more neutrals than normal.

The myth has been well peddled throughout the media and football though that rugby ruins the pitch, so that must be the truth.

Even when they added 10k to club wembley, there were still people in the middle tier, it is better now it's on general sale though! Crowds are definitely down if you look back on photos from 2007, there were a lot more fans in the upper tier than there was on Saturday...the RFL/IMG somehow need to change the mindset of your average rugby league fan that big games that don't feature your team are worth going to.

And attract the casual fan who wants a day out like Union and Cricket seem to invent with ease. Union get big crowds for Barbarian games for what is in effect a made up team playing a freindly.

In 2013 the World Cup used a marketing agency who got a great crowd to Wembley, I know that comes at a cost (and England WC games have wider appeal) but we cant expect to just email the RFL database like its still the 00s and expect a rush of ticket sales.

I'm sure I read next year's challenge cup final is the same day as the rugby union cup final, so there's a lot of potential new fans the RFL have alienated from attending next year's final

It is yes

More fans turned up this year than did last year to watch Wigan

Wigan were playing Huddersfield who despite Ken Davys best efforts only have a coach full of somewhat elderly fans. Cheap season tickets and league leaders sheild winning form still didnt get the turnstyles clicking at the John Smiths.