Analysing Match Attendance in the European Rugby Cup

Vincent Hogan (), Patrick Massey () and Shane Massey

No 201412, Working Papers from School of Economics, University College Dublin

Abstract: Using data from 1,226 matches played over 18 seasons, we analyse match attendances in the group stages of the European Rugby Cup (ERC). We find that short-run (match) uncertainty had little effect on attendances. This finding is significant as the ERC has been replaced by a new competition which may be more unbalanced due to differences in the distribution of revenue between the participating teams. Medium-term uncertainty, i.e. the possibility of the home team reaching the knock-out stages, had a significant impact on attendances. Measures designed to make matches more attractive, e.g. bonus points for high scoring, had little effect.

Keywords: Professional team sports; Competitive balance; Consumer demand (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2014-09
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-eur, nep-ger and nep-spo
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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