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Hyundai A-League crowds and TV on the rise

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The Hyundai A-League set a new attendance record when more than 87,000 fans across five Australian cities attended matches last weekend, continuing the upwards trend for crowds and TV ratings during the 2011/12 season.

The Hyundai A-League set a new attendance record when more than 87,000 fans across five Australian cities attended matches last weekend, continuing the upwards trend for crowds and TV ratings during the 2011/12 season.

The Week 3 total attendance of 87,508 is the highest single round in Hyundai A-League history, eclipsing the previous Hyundai A-League record of 84,685 in Week 20 in the 2007/08 season.

So far in the first three rounds, Sydney FC has played before a combined total of 68,194 fans.

As well as extra fans coming through the turnstiles, more viewers are tuning in to the exclusive coverage on Fox Sports with the live average audience up 62% on last season.

After Week 3, club memberships across the Hyundai A-League are up 16%, but as clubs are still selling packages over the early home games the final increase is expected to be closer to 20%.

“The great numbers reflect the huge interest in the new Hyundai A-League season and I congratulate everyone involved in the competition, especially the fans who create such a wonderful atmosphere and make the game what it is,” said Head of Hyundai A-League Lyall Gorman.

“When we developed the ‘We Are Football- campaign our purpose was to unite the entire football community behind the Hyundai A-League and create a sense of belonging. I think we-ve made a great start and we-ll continue to work hard to connect the league to the grassroots.

“There-s much more to be done, but FFA has made the stability and sustainability of the 10 member clubs our top priority. On this measure, as much as the numbers we-re seeing, the Hyundai A-League is certainly enjoying an upswing.”

Last weekend-s round of matches in Newcastle, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Melbourne also carried the all-time aggregate attendance past the 8 million mark.

The Hyundai A-League accumulated aggregate attendance since inception in 2005 now stands at 8,083,261.