The Danske Bank Premiership opening weekend didn’t disappoint with almost 11,000 fans treated to great games and great goals as the crowds flocked to stadiums for the new season.

The 10,951 collective attendance across the six matches spread over three days was the highest ever for an opening round of fixtures on record in the Irish League since figures have been officially recorded in 2008, an average of 1,825 fans per game!

It marked a remarkable 22% increase on the previous record for the first weekend of matches, set in August 2018.

The first Sunday game of the new season proved a huge success with an attendance of 2,806 at Windsor Park for Linfield’s start to their title defence against Portadown attracted a record attendance for that specific fixture (up 13% from the previous highest attendance set in October 2011).

Attendance records were broken both collectively and individually, as three of the other Premiership games also marked a record attendance for the specific fixture at that venue with Larne v Glentoran, Coleraine v Cliftonville and Crusaders v Dungannon Swifts all setting new benchmarks.

Thanks to all the fans across the leagues who came out in force to support their clubs this weekend and we look forward to you all joining us for more great games throughout the season!

Opening Weekend Attendances

Friday 12 August 2022
Larne 0-0 Glentoran (Att: 2,695)

Saturday 13 August 2022
Ballymena United 2-2 Glenavon (Att: 1,206)
Carrick Rangers 2-1 Newry City (Att: 348)
Coleraine 3-1 Cliftonville (Att: 2,657)
Crusaders 5-1 Dungannon Swifts (Att: 1,239)

Sunday 14 August 2022
Linfield 4-0 Portadown (Att: 2,806)