About 18,500 were at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday night to watch the match between the Highlanders and the Crusaders as the Christchurch-based side came out on top 26-20.
Initial estimates were for an attendance of from 15,500 to 16,000, but a good walk-up crowd swelled that number past the 18,000 mark.
Highlanders general manager Roger Clark said the bumper crowd had set a good tone to start the year.
''The scene was certainly well set for our season opening match. To see a great crowd and hear them in full voice for the Highlanders was a wonderful start for the year,'' Clark said.
''We have a series of home games early and we want to encourage folk to get along, to the Zoo, the family stand, the lounge area or the stand areas.
"The deep South was on a high on Saturday and when the crowd at the Forsyth Barr Stadium is in that mood I think we are the best supported team in the country.''
Five of the side's first six games are at home.
The next match is against the Reds on Friday.
It is certainly a lop-sided draw, with no games at Forsyth Barr Stadium after May 1, due to the stadium hosting games in the Fifa under-20 World Cup.
Coach Jamie Joseph said although the result on Saturday night was not what he and the team wanted he could not fault the support of the fans.
''The players love that feeling of playing at home in front of a big crowd of family, friends and our supporters,'' he said.
The Highlanders have a healthy ground membership, combining with DVML members to have more than 5000 ground ticket-holders.
The franchise has also done a deal with the Otago University Students' Association that the orientation ticket also allows entry to the first five home games of the year.
Clark wants to get more than 10% of the franchise's population to the game as a target and it achieved that on Saturday night.
It was well ahead of the match in New Plymouth last Friday night between the Chiefs and the Brumbies, which drew a crowd of 7500.
Highlanders co-captain Ben Smith said the crowd was great on Saturday night and it played a big part for the team.
''I couldn't believe the Zoo on Saturday. In fact, the whole stadium was awesome.
''The fans have to know just how much that means to the team. The crowd was certainly a big part of our comeback. It's a shame we couldn't do it for them. We'll give it another crack on Friday,'' Smith said.