Netball Super League | Season Opener 2020 set to draw the largest crowd for a day event in UK netball history

The Vitality Netball Superleague Season Opener is expected to attract the largest ever crowd for a one-day event in UK netball history, exceeding even that of the 2019 Vitality Netball World Cup final day in July 2019.

The Season Opener, which will see all 10 Superleague teams take to Arena Birmingham on 22 February to mark the return of another Vitality Netball Superleague season, is set to draw more than 8,700 fans.

England Netball has reported that 98% of available tickets for the event have now been sold, which is an increase of 53% from the 2019 event, formerly known as Super 10.

The Season Opener has seen higher ticket sales already than the Vitality Netball World Cup final day, which welcomed a total of 7,233* people to Liverpool for the penultimate day of the most successful Netball World Cup to date.

The upcoming event will mark the start of the first Superleague season following the revered Vitality Netball World Cup, which has helped to draw in new fans and equalled in record ticket sales for England Netball at both the Season Opener and the Vitality Netball Nations Cup which took place last month.

Fran Connolly, CEO of England Netball, commented: “It has been a standout 12 months for netball in England, and the anticipation for the upcoming season is really starting to build which is evident from these fantastic ticket sales for a one-day event.

“The Season Opener is an exciting day in the netball calendar, with all 10 elite netball teams – many featuring England players – all competing under one roof, so it’s not surprising that people want to attend, especially following the impact of the Vitality Netball World Cup.

“We are putting a lot of focus into making the Vitality Netball Superleague fully professional and aim to make it the best women’s league in the country, so to see that the best ticket sales for a one-day event in our history is for our Season Opener event is extremely pleasing and means we are on the right track. I can’t wait to see it continue to grow and for all 10 teams to run out in front of what is likely to be a sold-out crowd later this month.

“I hope fans can help us to keep this momentum going and continue to support these Superleague teams throughout the course of the 2020 season by watching and attending upcoming fixtures, it’s going to be full of jam-packed action for them to enjoy.”

The Season Opener will begin with Strathclyde Sirens taking on London Pulse in the first fixture of the day, followed by Celtic Dragons v Surrey Storm, Saracens Mavericks facing Severn Stars and Team Bath playing Loughborough Lightning.

The final game of the day will see Wasps Netball face reigning champions Manchester Thunder.

Remaining tickets for the Season Opener can be purchased here.

To stay up to date with the Vitality Netball Superleague, including player movements, tickets and the latest news make sure you sign up to the Vitality Netball Superleague mailing list, you can sign up here.