Not all those fans are coming from Hawke's Bay or Wairarapa either with the interest from the likes of Wellington, Kapiti and, naturally, Manawatu said to be high as well.
And according to Wairarapa United coach Phil Keinzley they could actually play a big part in who lifts the Chatham Cup at the game's end.
"You can never under-estimate the importance of sideline support ... in our case there's no question we play better when the crowd is spurring us on."
Wairarapa United are, of course, entering unchartered territory when they run on to Memorial Park.
Never before in the 88-year history of this high-profile competition has a team from the Wairarapa region advanced past the quarterfinal stage, a somewhat different scenario from that of Napier City Rovers who have won the trophy on four previous occasions.
It's hard to imagine this Wairarapa United squad losing any sleep over those sort of stats, however, as they have experience to burn with virtually all of them having played at international or national league level.
They also have the benefit of knowing that in two central league clashes with Napier City Rovers this season they came out on top on each occasion, albeit both times by a solitary goal.
Tactically, the approach by the two sides is likely to be similar with both sides aiming to utilise the speed and flair of their front-runners while still being acutely aware of the importance of a tight defensive structure.
It is a fine line they have to tread and whoever responds best to that challenge will have obviously done themselves a big favour. Parochialism aside this is clearly a match Wairarapa United can win and we see no reason why they shouldn't.
RUGBY
If we were being brutally honest we would say Wairarapa-Bush have no chance to beat North Otago in their Heartland championship match at Oamaru today.
I mean, how could you suggest otherwise when the form book shows North Otago have won three from three in 2011 while Wairarapa-Bush are still to break their Heartland "duck".
Stopping us from completely discounting any hope of a Wairarapa-Bush victory though is the feeling the "nothing to lose, everything to gain" philosophy being adopted by them today just might bring greater rewards than pundits are predicting.
And then there is always the possibility North Otago will pre-empt an easy game by resting some of their key players, a recipe which can often have disastrous consequences.
NETBALL
The clash between unbeaten sides Harcourts and Pioneer Blue will be the highlight of premier one netball action at the Colombo Rd netball complex in Masterton today.
Harcourts are the defending champions and have a habit of rising to the big occasion and we reckon that might just be enough to give them the winning edge. At the same time, however, they can expect some spirited opposition from a Pioneer Blue side who will certainly lack nothing on the score of physical endeavour.'
The other premier one match being played today is between Martinborough and Celtic. Form says Martinborough deserve to start favourites but if they are unlucky enougjh to strike a Celtic line-up somewhere near full strength watch out!
HOCKEY
Dalefield are no longer in contention for a semifinals berth in the Wellington premier division men's hockey competition so their matches against Harbour City-Tawa in Wellington today and Northern United at Clareville tomorrow are more of academic interest than anything else.
That doesn't mean Dalefield won't be in full cry though as they have lost several matches this season where they have played well enough to win but simply haven't found the net often enough. Claiming the scalp of at least one of the top four sides this weekend would at least ease the pain to some degree.
