The opening round of the 2009 engage Super League season broke the recors, with the seven matches drawing an all-time high aggregate attendance of 77,944 (an average of 11,132 people per game). That figure easily beats the previous best aggregate for an opening round which was 69,499 set in the opening week of the 2004 season.

The record breaking total set over the weekend is also only 973 supporters behind the record attendance for any round of matches in the 13 year history of the competition (78,917 for Round 25 of the 2007 season).

The RFL’s Chief Executive Nigel Wood said,(quote)this is a tremendous start for the engage Super League and clearly demonstrates that the competition continues to grow and develop at a healthy rate. We believe the League offers a unique family sporting entertainment experience and supporters are responding to this in ever increasing numbers. The players and the coaches have worked extremely hard in the off-season and have already produced some exciting and gripping contests. We would also like to thank and recognise the tremendous efforts of the marketing and PR staff at all the clubs who have worked so energetically and productively to promote and organise what was a highly successful opening weekend. We feel there will be many more exciting occaissions as the 2009 engage Super League progresses.(end quote)