The Dolphins have taken time to say thank you to their massive supporter base in Brisbane and south-east Queensland today as they announced a staggering membership milestone for the NRL’s newest club.
The Dolphins have set new membership and attendance records for a club in their first year in the NRL – ones that are unlikely to ever be surpassed - after smashing the 30,000-member barrier this week.
And with over 35,000 people expected for their final home game of the year against the Warriors on Saturday afternoon, the Dolphins will have achieved an average crowd of over 32,000 in their seven matches at Suncorp Stadium.
Dolphins thank Members as 30,000 milestone passed
In their other five home games the Dolphins have produced three sell-outs at Kayo Stadium at Redcliffe, a match at Sunshine Coast Stadium where tickets were sold out in just 90 minutes, and co-hosted a 46,000-strong crowd for the double header in Perth.
And who could forget the first ever ‘Battle For Brisbane’ back in round four, when Suncorp Stadium was sold out and more than 51,000 people saw the Dolphins take on the Broncos for the first time.
But it is the 30,000 people that have joined as members that is most impressive, earning the Dolphins a spot in the NRL’s top three for membership numbers after just a single season.
The club underlined the debt they felt to their members and fans who have made clear their level of passion for the new kids on the NRL block.
“We thank the NRL for taking the brave decision to bring the Dolphins into the competition because they believed that Brisbane and Queensland could sustain another club,” said Dolphins’ chief executive Terry Reader.
“But what is really important is that through sheer weight of numbers, the people of Brisbane and Queensland have shown that they actually wanted another club.
“To have 30,000 people join as members and to average over 32,000 at the home of rugby league in Queensland, while being part of sell-out after sell-out at our smaller venues, is an amazing achievement for the Dolphins.
Match: Dolphins v Warriors
Round 27 -
home Team
Dolphins
13th Position
away Team
Warriors
4th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
“We have also hit some impressive markers off the field within our sponsorship and commercial areas that will underpin the success of the Dolphins for years to come.
“While we were disappointed to miss out on the finals in our debut year, we have exceeded expectations both on and off the field, and with the new players we have arriving for next season and our continued growth in the commercial area, the Dolphins are set up for the brightest of futures.”
Dolphins – by the numbers:
- Over 30,000 members
- Average crowd at Suncorp Stadium to be in excess of 32,000
- Five home game sellouts – Raiders, Broncos, Dragons, Eels, Panthers
- No.1 in the NRL in on-field apparel sales (jerseys etc)
- No.2 in the NRL in sponsorship revenue
- The documentary ‘Dawn of the Dolphin’ was the most downloaded show in streaming service STAN’s in history
