Leicester Tigers have set a Guinness Premiership record with an average attendance of 17,206 for league games at Welford Road this season.

Their new Clubhouse Stand allowed for an increased stadium capacity, and more redevelopment will take place in the summer.

Tigers MD David Clayton said: "Over the years this club has set the benchmarks in terms of attendances and an average of more than 17,000 for the season sets another new mark.

"The Clubhouse Stand allowed for an increased capacity this season and enabled us to make more tickets available to supporters on a match-by-match basis."

The Tigers snatched a place in the Guinness Premiership play-off with victory over Harlequins in their final home game of the season, securing a Heineken Cup place into the bargain.

Clayton said: "The passion and commitment of Leicester Tigers supporters was fully demonstrated in the victory over Harlequins when the noise at Welford Road was incredible.

"The directors, coaching staff and players have commented on that and it certainly played its part in encouraging the team to a vital victory, especially in the closing minutes."

The Tigers will face the Classic All Blacks at Welford Road on May 25 before redevelopment work begins at the stadium.

Clayton added: "Demand for tickets at Welford Road has consistently out-stripped the number of places available in the stadium and that is why the club is pressing ahead with the redevelopment plans.

"The first phase of redevelopment features a 10,000-capacity stand on the north side of the stadium, taking capacity up to 23,000.

"Starting this summer, preliminary work will be done around the outside of the stadium, with the current seating unaffected in 2008/09.

"Completion of the entire stadium redevelopment will take capacity up to 30,000."

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