Brighton start their home programme at the Triangle next Sunday when old rivals Thames Valley Tigers visit.

Tigers are desperate to make up for last season's poor showing and have undergone a lengthy pre-season build-up, including a win over Portuguese champions Telecom.

Indications are, however, that many fans cannot wait that long to see a game and Bears expect good support at Leicester next Saturday.

Owner Romek Kriwald said: "There is a lot of interest and season ticket sales are well up but we won't really know until the first game."

The imaginative Early Bird and Flying Duck offers are reported to have got ticket sales off a flyer.