THE Halliwell Jones Stadium was close to a sell-out as The Wire got their Super League campaign off to a flying start on Saturday night.

More than 13,000 people packed into the ground to watch Wolves beat Leeds Rhinos 26-6 and the exact crowd of 13,098 was the third-highest league opening day crowd in the stadium’s history.

Saturday’s gate was only bettered by the gate of 14,206 in the first ever game at the new stadium against Wakefield back in 2004 while 13,157 people watched The Wire face St Helens in the 2014 season opener.

Here’s the full list:

2004 – 14,206 v Wakefield

2014 – 13,157 v St Helens

2019 – 13,098 v Leeds

2007 – 12,607 v Bradford

2015 – 11,864 v Salford

2010 – 11,678 v Harlequins

2005 – 11,412 v Leigh

2017 – 11,374 v Castleford

2018 – 11,241 v Leeds

2012 – 11,118 v London

2016 – 11,037 v Hull KR

2008 – 11,026 v Hull FC

2006 – 10,845 v Salford

2013 – 10,721 v Castleford

2009 – 7,947 v Catalans