Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/10419/109715 
Year of Publication: 
2014
Series/Report no.: 
UCD Centre for Economic Research Working Paper Series No. WP14/12
Publisher: 
University College Dublin, UCD School of Economics, 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 This finding is significant as the ERC has been replaced by a new competition which may be more unbalanced due to differences in the distribution of revenue between the participating teams.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.
Subjects: 
professional team sports
competitive balance
consumer demand
JEL: 
D12
D21
L22
L23
L83
Document Type: 
Working Paper

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