Fans the key to stadium crowds

NORTH Queensland fans will have the opportunity to prove they can house big crowds at Queensland Country Bank Stadium this weekend.

For the first time since March, the stadium will throw open the doors to the fans – but in a limited capacity with only 2000 spectators allowed in for the Cowboys clash against the Knights.

But the experience of those few fans will be key to getting more fans in the future.

The game will act as a trial run with the State Government likely to open it up to a 25 per cent capacity crowd if successful.

Suncorp Stadium and the Gabba in Brisbane have already housed their trial runs at the weekend, and will be allowed to host 10,000 fans next weekend.

It will be a major boost for the southeast Queensland NRL derby between the Broncos and Titans.

For North Queensland fans, it means there could be 6000 in the stadium grandstands to watch the Cowboys host reigning premiers Sydney Roosters on Thursday, July 9.

Health Minister and Deputy Premier Steven Miles yesterday announced the increase in fan numbers.

“The trial of a small number of spectators has been very successful. It worked very well. And so the only thing better than having fans back at the football is having more fans back at the football,” Mr Miles said.

Over the weekend up to 2000 patrons were allowed into Queensland grounds with Sport Minister Mick de Brenni saying the “trials” were “a roaring success”.

“Yesterday was really like a pre-season trial for stadium crowds and the game plan was a winner, it was an absolute success,” Mr de Brenni said yesterday.