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Major League Soccer attendance

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Fans waving flags and unfurling a large green and blue tifo behind a goal.
The Seattle Sounders' average attendance consistently exceeded 40,000 fans during the 2010s.

Major League Soccer is the premier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Competition began in 1996 and attendance has grown rapidly since the early 2000s, making it one of the fastest-growing sports leagues in the world. The average attendance of 22,111[1] in 2023 was a 60% increase over the 13,756 average in 2000 (the lowest in MLS history). The total attendance of 10,900,804 in 2023 is almost five times that of 2,214,978 in 2002 (the lowest in MLS history). Similar to Major League Baseball and the National Hockey League, attendance is based on the number of tickets distributed.[2]

As of the 2023 regular season,[3] average attendance is 22,111 per match—a league record. The league drew over 10 million spectators overall during the 2022[4] and 2023 seasons. The previous average attendance record was 22,106, set in the 2017 season. The largest standalone attendance for a single match—82,110 spectators—was set on July 4, 2023, at the Rose Bowl between the LA Galaxy and Los Angeles FC.[5] Atlanta United FC has the highest average attendance of any MLS team, at 47,526, and is followed by Charlotte FC and Seattle Sounders FC.

2023 season

[edit]

The following is a list of the average attendance during the 2023 regular season for each of the 29 MLS teams that were active in that season. It also includes the average attendance during the 2022 regular season, the percentage change in attendance from season-to-season, the home venue, the home venue's capacity, and the percent of the home venue's capacity filled by the 2023 season's average attendance. Percentages are adjusted to reflect any home games that were held at venues other than the team's usual stadium.

Team 2023
average 		2022
average 		Percent
change 		Stadium Capacity
(unrestricted) 		Percent
capacity
1 Atlanta United FC 47,526 47,116 +0.9% Mercedes-Benz Stadium* 42,500
(at least 72,035) 		110.9%
(65.4%)
2 Charlotte FC 36,337 35,260 +3.1% Bank of America Stadium* 38,000
(74,867) 		95.6%
(48.5%)
3 Seattle Sounders FC 32,161 33,607 -4.3% Lumen Field* 37,722
(68,740) 		85.3%
(46.8%)
4 Nashville SC 28,257 27,554 +2.6% Geodis Park 30,109 94.2%
5 FC Cincinnati 25,367 22,487 +12.8% TQL Stadium 26,000 99.4%
6 Toronto FC 25,310 25,423 -0.4% BMO Field 28,351 89.3%
7 LA Galaxy 24,106 22,841 +5.5% Dignity Health Sports Park[a] 27,000 84.6%
8 New England Revolution 23,940 21,221 +12.8% Gillette Stadium* 20,000
(65,878) 		119.7%
(36.3%)
9 Portland Timbers 23,103 23,841 -3.1% Providence Park 25,218 91.6%
10 St. Louis City SC[b] 22,423 — — CityPark 22,423 100%
11 Los Angeles FC 22,155 22,089 +0.3% BMO Stadium 22,000 100.7%
12 Austin FC 20,738 20,738 0% Q2 Stadium 20,738 100%
13 Orlando City SC 20,590 17,261 +19.3% Inter&Co Stadium 25,500 80.7%
14 Columbus Crew 20,314 19,237 +5.6% Lower.com Field 20,371 99.7%
15 New York City FC 19,816 17,180 +15.3% Yankee Stadium*[c] 30,321
(47,309) 		65.4%
(41.9%)
16 Minnesota United FC 19,568 19,560 0% Allianz Field 19,400 100.9%
17 Real Salt Lake 19,429 20,470 -5.1% America First Field 20,213 101.3%
18 Philadelphia Union 18,907 18,126 +4.3% Subaru Park 18,500 102.2%
19 Sporting Kansas City 18,616 18,365 +1.4% Children's Mercy Park 18,467 100.8%
20 San Jose Earthquakes 18,412 15,260 +20.7% PayPal Park 18,000 102.3%
21 FC Dallas 18,220 16,469 +10.6% Toyota Stadium 19,096 95.4%
22 Chicago Fire FC 18,170 15,848 +14.7% Soldier Field* 24,955
(61,500) 		72.8%
(29.5%)
23 New York Red Bulls 17,786 17,002 +4.6% Red Bull Arena 25,000 71.1%
24 Inter Miami CF 17,698 12,637 +40% Chase Stadium 21,000 84.3%
25 CF Montréal 17,552 15,769 +11.3% Saputo Stadium 19,619 89.5%
26 D.C. United 17,540 16,256 +7.9% Audi Field 20,000 87.7%
27 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 16,745 16,399 +2.1% BC Place* 22,120
(54,500) 		75.7%
(30.7%)
28 Colorado Rapids 15,409 14,473 +6.5% Dick's Sporting Goods Park 18,061 85.3%
29 Houston Dynamo FC 15,029 16,426 -8.5% Shell Energy Stadium 22,039 68.2%
Notes

Some clubs have attendances over 100% capacity due to limited stadium capacity that is lifted during certain matches, when additional sections are opened. Other clubs use larger venues for certain matches that attract large attendances.

  1. ^ One match played at the Rose Bowl (capacity 92,542).
  2. ^ St. Louis City SC entered MLS in 2023.[6]
  3. ^ New York City FC played home matches at several other venues in the New York metropolitan area.[7]
Key
* Stadium capacity artificially reduced for soccer matches

Season averages

[edit]
See also: Expansion of Major League Soccer

MLS regular season attendance per year + teams with the highest and lowest average per year

[edit]
Season Total attendance Games Average YoY change High average Low average Ref
Attendance Team Attendance Team
1996 2,785,001 160 17,406 - 28,916 Los Angeles Galaxy 10,213 Colorado Rapids [8]
1997 2,336,529 160 14,603 -16.1% 21,298 New England Revolution 9,058 Kansas City Wizards [9]
1998 2,747,897 192 14,312 -2.0% 21,784 Los Angeles Galaxy 8,073 Kansas City Wizards [10]
1999 2,742,102 192 14,282 -0.2% 17,696 Columbus Crew 8,183 Kansas City Wizards [11]
2000 2,641,086 192 13,756 -3.7% 20,400 Los Angeles Galaxy 7,460 Miami Fusion [12]
2001 2,363,889 158 14,961 +8.8% 21,518 D.C. United 9,112 Kansas City Wizards [13]
2002 2,214,978 140 15,821 +5.7% 20,690 Colorado Rapids 11,150 San Jose Earthquakes [14]
2003 2,234,747 150 14,898 -5.8% 21,983 Los Angeles Galaxy 7,906 Dallas Burn [15]
2004 2,333,797 150 15,559 +4.4% 23,809 Los Angeles Galaxy 9,088 Dallas Burn [16]
2005 2,900,716 192 15,108 -2.9% 24,204 Los Angeles Galaxy 9,691 Kansas City Wizards [17]
2006 2,976,787 192 15,504 +2.6% 20,814 Los Angeles Galaxy 11,083 Kansas City Wizards [18]
2007 3,270,210 195 16,770 +8.2% 24,252 Los Angeles Galaxy 11,586 Kansas City Wizards [19]
2008 3,456,641 210 16,460 -1.8% 26,008 Los Angeles Galaxy 10,685 Kansas City Wizards
2009 3,609,048 225 16,040 -2.6% 30,942 Seattle Sounders FC 9,883 FC Dallas
2010 4,002,053 240 16,675 +4.0% 36,173 Seattle Sounders FC 9,659 San Jose Earthquakes
2011 5,468,849 306 17,872 +7.2% 38,496 Seattle Sounders FC 11,858 San Jose Earthquakes
2012 6,074,729 323 18,807 +5.2% 43,144 Seattle Sounders FC 13,056 Chivas USA
2013 6,005,991 323 18,594 -1.3% 44,038 Seattle Sounders FC 8,366 Chivas USA
2014 6,184,350 323 19,147 +3.0% 43,734 Seattle Sounders FC 7,063 Chivas USA [6]
2015 7,329,829 340 21,558 +12.6% 44,247 Seattle Sounders FC 15,657 Colorado Rapids
2016 7,375,287 340 21,692 +0.6% 42,636 Seattle Sounders FC 14,094 FC Dallas
2017 8,267,534 374 22,106 +1.9% 48,200 Atlanta United FC 15,122 FC Dallas
2018 8,552,503 391 21,873 -1.1% 53,002 Atlanta United FC 12,447 Columbus Crew SC
2019 8,702,674 408 21,330 -2.5% 52,510 Atlanta United FC 12,324 Chicago Fire
2020* 637,020 292 2,182 N/A 6,101 Seattle Sounders FC 0   Multiple teams [20]
2021* 6,213,022 459 13,536 N/A 43,964 Atlanta United FC 647 CF Montréal [21]
2022 10,011,578 476 21,033 -1.4% 47,116 Atlanta United FC 12,637 Inter Miami CF [4]
2023 10,900,804 493 22,111 +5.1% 47,526 Atlanta United FC 15,029 Houston Dynamo FC [3]
Key
  Record high
  Record low
* Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

Notes:

  • This chart is mainly based on the "MLS Fact and Record book".[22]
  • For most of the seasons the differences between the numbers in the "Fact and Records book" and other sources are small.
  • Regarding the year 2020, it seems that there is an error in the number of games (26) stated in "MLS Fact and Record book".[22]
  • Another MLS document, the "2020 MLS Standings and Leaders",[20] states that there were up to 292 regular season games.
  • Therefore, the number of games and the average for 2020 are from the "2020 MLS Standings and Leaders".[20]
  • Regarding 2021, the numbers in the "MLS Fact and Record book"[22] and those in yet another MLS document, the "MLS Media Resources: 2021 Stat Sheets"[21] are rather different. The "Attendance", the "Games" and "Average" have been taken from this 2021 source.
  • The drop in number of games and total attendance from 2000 to 2002, and the corresponding increase in average attendance, is attributable to league contraction, when MLS folded the Miami Fusion and Tampa Bay Mutiny.
  • Several seasons saw increases in total attendance, despite drops in average attendance. One such case was due to expansion of the regular-season schedule; all others were due to league expansion.
  • The 2020 and 2021 seasons were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted many matches to zero spectators.

MLS regular season attendance + MLS Cup playoffs attendance + MLS combined attendance[22]

[edit]
Season MLS regular season MLS Cup playoffs MLS complete season
Total
Attendance 		Games Average Total
Attendance 		Games Average Total
Attendance 		Games Average
1996 2,785,001 160 17,406 300,435 17 17,673 3,085,436 177 17,432
1997 2,336,529 160 14,603 208,192 13 16,015 2,544,721 173 14,709
1998 2,747,897 192 14,312 249,968 14 17,855 2,997,865 206 14,553
1999 2,742,102 192 14,282 257,417 16 16,089 2,999,519 208 14,421
2000 2,641,086 192 13,756 203,548 17 11,973 2,844,634 209 13,611
2001 2,363,889 158 14,961 212,485 18 11,805 2,576,374 176 14,638
2002 2,214,978 140 15,821 235,827 17 13,872 2,450,805 157 15,610
2003 2,234,747 150 14,898 164,758 11 14,978 2,399,505 161 14,904
2004 2,333,797 150 15,559 153,691 11 13,972 2,487,488 161 15,450
2005 2,900,716 192 15,108 158,285 11 14,390 3,059,001 203 15,069
2006 2,976,787 192 15,504 166,972 11 15,179 3,143,759 203 15,486
2007 3,270,210 195 16,770 217,479 11 19,771 3,487,689 206 16,931
2008 3,456,641 210 16,460 181,382 11 16,489 3,638,023 221 16,462
2009 3,609,048 225 16,040 259,149 11 23,559 3,868,197 236 16,391
2010 4,002,053 240 16,675 214,885 11 19,535 4,216,938 251 16,801
2011 5,468,849 306 17,872 265,582 13 20,429 5,734,431 319 17,976
2012 6,074,729 323 18,807 335,343 15 22,356 6,410,072 338 18,965
2013 6,005,991 323 18,594 328,402 15 21,893 6,334,393 338 18,741
2014 6,184,350 323 19,147 354,489 15 23,633 6,538,839 338 19,346
2015 7,329,829 340 21,558 388,289 17 22,841 7,718,118 357 21,619
2016 7,375,287 340 21,692 472,461 17 27,792 7,847,748 357 21,982
2017 8,267,534 374 22,106 453,781 17 26,693 8,721,315 391 22,305
2018 8,552,503 391 21,873 494,511 17 29,089 9,047,014 408 22,174
2019 8,702,674 408 21,330 442,476 13 34,037 9,145,150 421 21,722
2020* 637,020 292 2,182 —   —   —   637,020 292 2,182
2021* 6,213,022 459 13,536 299,891 13 23,069 6,512,913 472 13,799
2022 10,011,578 476 21,033 263,192 13 20,246 10,274,770 489 21,012
2023 10,900,804 493 22,111 661,145 28 23,612 11,561,949 521 22,192
Key
  Record high
  Record low
* Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic

Notes:

  • This chart is mainly based on the "MLS Fact and Record book".[22]
  • See the notes below the previous chart regarding the numbers of the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
  • The format for the MLS Cup Playoffs has changed several times during its history, resulting in inconsistent numbers of matches played.
  • The 2020 playoffs were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which restricted many matches to zero spectators. Only two matches were played in front of spectators, each with a maximum capacity of 1,500 people.

MLS attendance vs. other North American leagues

[edit]

The following table compares the regular-season average attendance of MLS with the averages of other professional sports leagues in North America. All these leagues have season average attendances of at least 10,000 spectators per game.

League Sport Season Teams Games Total attendance Average attendance Average attendance
YoY change 		Ref
1 National Football League American football 2023 32 272 18,911,116 69,526 +338 [23][24]
2 Major League Baseball Baseball 2023 30 2,430 70,747,365 29,114 +2,548 [25]
3 Canadian Football League Canadian football 2023 9 81 1,813,837 22,393 +648 [26]
4 Major League Soccer Soccer 2023 29 493 10,900,804 22,111 +1,078 [3]
5 Liga MX Soccer 2023-24 18 306 6,699,379 21,893 +1,034 [27][28] [29][30]
6 National Basketball Association Basketball 2023-24 30 1,230 22,538,518 18,324 +247 [31]
7 National Hockey League Ice hockey 2023-24 32 1,312 22,873,142 17,434 +333 [32]
8 United Football League American football 2024 8 40 513,105 12,828 - [33]
9 National Women's Soccer League Soccer 2023 12 132 1,366,581 10,432 +2,538 [34]

MLS attendance vs. other soccer leagues worldwide

[edit]
League Country Confederation Season Teams Games Total
attendance 		Average
attendance 		Ref
1 1. Bundesliga Germany UEFA 2023-24 18 306 12,083,936 39,490 [35]
2 Premier League England / Wales UEFA 2023-24 20 380 14,661,755 38,584 [36]
3 Serie A Italy UEFA 2023-24 20 380 11,729,280 30,867 [37]
4 2. Bundesliga Germany UEFA 2023-24 18 306 8,931,799 29,189 [38]
5 La Liga Spain UEFA 2023-24 20 380 11,024,398 29,012 [39]
6 Ligue 1 France / Monaco UEFA 2023-24 20 380 8,233,057 26,905 [40]
7 Série A Brazil CONMEBOL 2023 20 380 10,213,460 26,878 [41]
8 EFL Championship England / Wales UEFA 2023-24 24 552 12,719,420 23,042 [42]
9 Major League Soccer USA / Canada CONCACAF 2023 29 493 10,900,804 22,111 [3]
10 Liga MX Mexico CONCACAF 2023-24 18 306 6,699,379 21,893 [43][44]
11 Super League China AFC 2023 16 240 4,769,541 19,873 [45]
12 Primera División Argentina CONMEBOL 2023 28 378 7,388,550 * 19,546 * [46]
13 J1 League Japan AFC 2023 18 306 5,811,987 18,993 [47]
14 Eredivisie The Netherlands UEFA 2023-24 18 306 5,576,822 18,225 [48]

The numbers regarding the Argentine League are aprroximate. One of the 28 teams did not provide figures.

Historic average attendances

[edit]

Current active teams

[edit]
Season ATL ATX CHI CIN CLT COL CLB DAL DCU HOU LAG LAFC MIA MIN MTL NSH NE NYC NYRB ORL PHI POR RSL SJ SEA SKC STL TOR VAN
1996 10,213 18,950 16,011 15,262 28,916 19,205 23,898 17,232 12,878
1997 11,835 15,043 9,678 16,698 20,626 21,423 16,899 13,597 9,058
1998 17,886 14,812 12,274 10,947 16,007 21,784 19,187 16,519 13,653 8,072
1999 16,016 14,029 17,696 12,211 17,419 17,632 16,795 14,706 14,959 8,183
2000 13,387 12,580 15,451 13,102 18,580 20,400 15,463 17,621 12,460 9,112
2001 16,388 16,481 17,511 12,574 21,518 17,387 15,654 20,806 9,635 10,954
2002 12,922 20,690 17,429 13,122 16,519 19,047 16,927 18,155 11,150 12,255
2003 14,005 16,772 16,250 7,906 15,565 21,983 14,641 15,822 10,466 15,573
2004 17,153 14,195 16,872 9,008 17,232 23,809 12,226 17,195 13,001 14,816
2005 17,238 16,638 12,916 11,189 16,664 24,204 12,525 15,077 18,037 13,037 9,691
2006 14,111 12,056 13,294 14,982 18,251 18,935 20,814 11,786 14,570 16,366 11,083
2007 16,490 14,749 15,230 15,154 20,967 15,883 24,252 16,787 16,530 15,960 11,586 20,130
2008 17,034 13,659 14,662 13,024 19,835 16,939 26,009 17,580 15,928 16,179 13,856 10,686 20,120
2009 15,487 13,018 14,175 12,440 15,585 17,624 20,827 12,427 12,744 17,831 10,329 31,203 10,053 20,344
2010 15,814 14,329 14,642 10,815 14,532 17,310 21,437 12,987 18,441 19,254 17,095 9,659 36,173 10,287 20,453
2011 14,274 14,838 12,185 12,861 15,181 17,694 23,335 13,222 19,691 18,259 18,827 17,594 11,858 38,496 17,810 20,267 20,412
2012 16,409 15,175 14,397 14,199 13,846 21,015 23,136 22,772 14,001 18,281 18,053 20,438 19,087 13,293 43,144 19,404 18,155 19,475
2013 15,228 15,440 16,080 15,373 13,646 19,923 22,152 20,602 14,844 19,461 17,867 20,674 19,218 12,765 44,038 19,708 18,131 20,038
2014[6] 16,076 15,082 16,881 16,816 17,030 20,117 21,258 17,421 16,681 19,421 17,631 20,806 20,351 14,947 43,734 20,003 22,086 20,408
2015 16,003 15,657 16,985 16,015 16,244 20,658 23,392 17,750 19,627 29,016 19,657 32,847 17,451 21,144 20,160 20,979 44,247 19,687 23,451 20,507
2016 15,602 16,278 17,125 14,094 17,081 19,021 25,138 20,669 20,185 27,196 20,620 31,324 17,519 21,144 19,759 19,930 42,636 19,597 26,538 22,330
2017 48,200 17,383 15,322 15,439 15,122 17,904 17,500 22,246 20,538 20,046 19,367 22,177 21,175 25,028 16,812 21,144 18,781 19,875 43,666 19,537 27,647 21,416
2018 53,002 14,806 15,333 12,447 15,512 17,635 16,909 24,444 22,042 23,902 18,569 18,347 23,211 18,644 23,866 16,518 21,144 18,605 19,032 40,641 19,950 26,628 21,946
2019[49] 52,510 12,324 27,336 14,284 14,856 14,842 17,744 15,674 23,205 22,251 19,723 16,171 16,737 21,107 17,281 22,761 17,111 25,218 18,121 18,781 40,247 18,601 25,048 19,514
2020[20] 5,331 0 0 1,866 1,588 2,674 2,843 2,204 2,199 3,160 0 0 1,616 5,370 1,529 0 1,570 2,127 0 4,228 1,392 2,748 6,101 1,926 2,181 2,011
2021[21] 43,964 20,738 10,226 19,872 8,481 16,583 13,418 12,791 12,220 15,252 17,439 11,281 11,439 647 18,200 12,204 2,775 9,325 14,723 11,385 13,771 14,532 9,132 25,125 15,442 4,769 3,395
2022[7] 41,116 20,738 15,848 22,487 35,260 14,473 19,237 16,469 16,256 16,426 22,841 22,090 12,637 19,555 15,905 27,554 20,319 17,180 17,002 17,261 18,126 23,841 20,470 15,260 33,607 18,365 25,423 16,399
2023 47,526 20,738 18,170 25,367 36,337 15,409 20,314 18,220 17,540 15,029 24,106 22,155 17,698 19,568 17,552 28,257 23,940 19,816 17,786 20,590 18,907 23,103 19,429 18,412 32,161 18,616 22,423 25,310 16,745

Defunct teams

[edit]
Season CHV MIA TB
1996 11,679
1997 11,333
1998 10,284 10,312
1999 8,689 13,106
2000 7,460 9,452
2001 11,177 10,479
2002
2003
2004
2005 17,080
2006 19,840
2007 14,305
2008 15,114
2009 15,725
2010 14,576
2011 14,830
2012 13,056
2013 8,366
2014 7,064

Notes:

  • Bold indicates franchise record high for season average attendance.

Individual game highest attendance

[edit]
See also: Record attendances in United States club soccer

Regular season

[edit]
Home team Score Away team Attendance Stadium Date Ref
1 LA Galaxy 2–1 Los Angeles FC 82,110 Rose Bowl Jul 4, 2023 [50]
2 Charlotte FC 0–1 LA Galaxy 74,479 Bank of America Stadium Mar 5, 2022 [51]
3 Sporting Kansas City 2–3 Inter Miami CF 72,610 Arrowhead Stadium Apr 13, 2024 [52]
4 Atlanta United FC 3–0 LA Galaxy 72,548 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Aug 3, 2019 [53]
5 Atlanta United FC 1–1 Seattle Sounders FC 72,243 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Jul 15, 2018 [54]
6 Atlanta United FC 3–1 D.C. United 72,035 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Mar 11, 2018 [55]
7 Atlanta United FC 2–0 Real Salt Lake 72,017 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Sep 22, 2018 [56]
8 Atlanta United FC 4–0 Orlando City SC 71,932 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Jun 30, 2018 [57]
9 Atlanta United FC 2–2 Toronto FC 71,874 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Oct 22, 2017 [58]
10 Atlanta United FC 2–1 Chicago Fire 71,812 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Oct 21, 2018 [59]

MLS Cup Playoffs

[edit]
Home team Score Away team Round Attendance Stadium Date Ref
1 Atlanta United FC 2–0 Portland Timbers Final 73,019 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec 8, 2018 [60]
2 Atlanta United FC 3–1 New York City FC Conference Semifinals 70,526 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Nov 11, 2018 [61]
3 Atlanta United FC 3–0 New York Red Bulls Conference Final 70,016 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Nov 25, 2018 [62]
4 Seattle Sounders FC 3–1 Toronto FC Final 69,274 CenturyLink Field Nov 10, 2019 [63]
5 Atlanta United FC 0–0
(1–3 pen.)		 Columbus Crew Knockout Round 67,221 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Oct 26, 2017 [62]
6 Atlanta United FC 1–0 New England Revolution Knockout Round 66,114 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Oct 19, 2019 [62]
7 New England Revolution 0–1 LA Galaxy Final 61,316 Gillette Stadium Oct 20, 2002 [64]
8 Montreal Impact 3–2 Toronto FC Conference Final 61,004 Olympic Stadium Nov 23, 2016 [65]
9 D.C. United 2–1 Colorado Rapids Final 57,431 RFK Memorial Stadium Oct 26, 1997 [64]
10 Chicago Fire FC 2–0 D.C. United Final 51,350 Rose Bowl Oct 25, 1998 [64]

By team

[edit]
Home team Score Away team Attendance Stadium Date Ref
1 LA Galaxy 2–1 Los Angeles FC 82,110 Rose Bowl Jul 4, 2023 [66]
2 Charlotte FC 0–1 LA Galaxy 74,479 Bank of America Stadium Mar 5, 2022 [67]
3 Atlanta United FC 2–0 Portland Timbers 73,019 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Dec 8, 2018 [68]
4 Sporting Kansas City 2–3 Inter Miami CF 72,610 Arrowhead Stadium Apr 13, 2024 [69]
5 Seattle Sounders FC 3–1 Toronto FC 69,274 CenturyLink Field Nov 10, 2019 [70]
6 New England Revolution 1–4 Inter Miami CF 65,612 Gillette Stadium Apr 27, 2024 [71]
7 Orlando City SC 1–1 New York City FC 62,510 Citrus Bowl Mar 8, 2015 [72]
8 Chicago Fire FC 4–1 Inter Miami CF 62,214 Soldier Field Oct 4, 2023 [73]
9 Montreal Impact 3–2 Toronto FC 61,004 Olympic Stadium Nov 23, 2016 [74]
10 Nashville SC 1–2 Atlanta United FC 59,069 Nissan Stadium Feb 29, 2020 [75]
11 D.C. United 2–1 Colorado Rapids 57,431 RFK Memorial Stadium Oct 26, 1997 [64]
12 Vancouver Whitecaps FC 1–2 Inter Miami CF 51,035 BC Place May 25, 2024 [76]
13 San Jose Earthquakes 3–0 LA Galaxy 50,850 Stanford Stadium Jun 29, 2019 [77]
Key
MLS Cup
Conference Final
Otherwise, it is a regular season game.

Doubleheader games highest attendance

[edit]
Home team Score Away team Attendance Doubleheader with Stadium Date Ref
1 Chivas USA 1–1 New England Revolution 92,650 Barcelona vs.
Guadalajara		 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Aug 6, 2006 [78]
2 Los Angeles Galaxy 2–2 Tampa Bay Mutiny 92,216 USA vs.
Mexico		 Rose Bowl Jun 16, 1996 [79]
3 Chivas USA 0–1 Los Angeles Galaxy 88,816 Guadalajara vs.
América		 Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Aug 10, 2005 [80]
4 San Jose Clash 1–1 D.C. United 73,123 USA women vs. Brazil women (1999 FIFA Women's World Cup) Stanford Stadium Jul 4, 1999 [81]
5 Houston Dynamo 0–1 Los Angeles Galaxy 70,550 Barcelona vs.
América		 Reliant Stadium Aug 9, 2006 [82]
6 San Jose Earthquakes 0–3 Columbus Crew 61,572 Barcelona vs.
Guadalajara		 Candlestick Park Aug 8, 2009 [81]
7 New England Revolution 2–1 Tampa Bay Mutiny 57,407 USA vs.
Mexico		 Foxboro Stadium Apr 20, 1997 [83]

MLS ranking among pro sports leagues by metro area

[edit]

The table below is sorted by MLS average attendance rank, and then by MLS average attendance. It only includes regular season numbers and only professional sports leagues in North America that have season averages of at least 10,000 spectators. Those leagues are mainly NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL, CFL and MLS.

In 2023, NWSL surpassed the season average of 10,000 spectators. Five of its teams, which themselves drew more than 10,000 fans per game, have been included in this table.

UFL also produced an average higher than 10,000 spectators for its 2024 season. Two of its teams, which season averages of more than 10,000, have been added as well.

College football teams, some of which outdraw some major professional teams are not listed below.

NFL,[84] MLB,[85] CFL,[86] MLS and NWSL[87] attendances are for their 2023 seasons. NBA[88] and NHL[89] attendances are for their 2023–24 seasons. UFL[90] attendance is for its 2024 season.

Metro area MLS
Attend
Rank 		Higher average MLS 2023 season Lower average
Average Team
Portland, OR 1st — 23,103 Portland
Timbers 		18,326 Thorns (NWSL)
18,156 Trail Blazers (NBA)
Austin, TX 1st — 20,738 Austin FC —
Orlando, FL 1st — 20,590 Orlando City SC 18,876 Magic (NBA)
Columbus, OH 1st — 20,314 Columbus Crew 17,016 Blue Jackets (NHL)
Salt Lake City, UT 1st — 19,429 Real Salt Lake 18,206 Jazz (NBA)
Atlanta, GA 2nd 69,603 Falcons (NFL) 47,526 Atlanta
United FC 		39,401 Braves (MLB)
16,985 Hawks (NBA)
Charlotte, NC 2nd 71,635 Panthers (NFL) 36,337 Charlotte FC 16,448 Hornets (NBA)
Nashville, TN 2nd 64,520 Titans (NFL) 28,257 Nashville SC 17,306 Predators (NHL)
Cincinnati, OH 2nd 66,040 Bengals (NFL) 25,367 FC Cincinnati 25,164 Reds (MLB)
Toronto, ON 2nd 37,307 Blue Jays (MLB) 25,310 Toronto FC 19,515 Raptors (NBA)
18,789 Maple Leafs (NHL)
14,311 Argonauts (CFL)
Kansas City,
MO/KS 		2nd 70,968 Chiefs (NFL) 18,616 Sporting
Kansas City 		16,136 Royals (MLB)
11,353 Current (NWSL)
Seattle, WA 3rd 68,735 Seahawks (NFL)
33,215 Mariners (MLB) 		32,161 Seattle
Sounders FC 		17,887 Kraken (NHL)
13,610 Reign (NWSL)
Boston, MA 3rd 63,018 Patriots (NFL)
32,989 Red Sox (MLB) 		23,940 New England
Revolution 		19,156 Celtics (NBA)
17,850 Bruins (NHL)
St. Louis, MO 3rd 40,013 Cardinals (MLB)
34,365 Battelhawks (UFL) 		22,423 St. Louis
City SC 		18,084 Blues (NHL)
Minneapolis -
St. Paul, MN 		3rd 66,913 Vikings (NFL)
24,371 Twins (MLB) 		19,568 Minnesota
United FC 		18,529 Wild (NHL)
18,024 Timberwolves (NBA)
San Francisco
Bay Area, CA 		3rd 71,655 49ers (NFL)
30,866 Giants (MLB) 		18,412 San Jose
Earthquakes 		18,064 Warriors (NBA)
13,559 Sharks (NHL)
10,275 Athletics (MLB)
Montreal, QC 3rd 21,099 Canadiens (NHL)
17,670 Alouettes (CFL) 		17,552 CF Montreal —
Vancouver, BC 3rd 23,208 BC Lions (CFL)
18,826 Canucks (NHL) 		16,745 Vancouver
Whitecaps FC 		—
Philadelphia, PA 4th 69,878 Eagles (NFL)
38,157 Phillies (MLB)
20,041 76ers (NBA) 		18,907 Philadelphia
Union 		18,438 Flyers (NHL)
Miami, FL 4th 65,922 Dolphins (NFL)
19,749 Heat (NBA)
18,632 Panthers (NHL) 		17,698 Inter
Miami CF 		14,355 Marlins (MLB)
Washington, DC 4th 63,950 Commanders (NFL)
23,034 Nationals (MLB)
17,841 Capitals (NHL) 		17,540 D.C. United 16,898 Wizards (NBA)
14,143 Defenders (UFL)
10,876 Spirit (NWSL)
Houston, TX 4th 71,193 Texans (NFL)
37,683 Astros (MLB)
17,562 Rockets (NBA) 		15,029 Houston
Dynamo FC 		—
Los Angeles, CA
(LA Galaxy) 		5th 73,150 Rams (NFL)
69,736 Chargers (NFL)
47,371 Dodgers (MLB)
32,599 Angels (MLB) 		24,106 LA Galaxy 22,155 LAFC (MLS)
19,756 Angel City (NWSL)
18,945 Clippers (NBA)
18,903 Lakers (NBA)
17,945 Kings (NHL)
15,687 Ducks (NHL)
New York, NY
(NY City FC) 		5th 79,307 Giants (NFL)
77,890 Jets (NFL)
40,862 Yankees (MLB)
32,994 Mets (MLB) 		19,816 New York
City FC 		19,728 Knicks (NBA)
18,099 Islanders (NHL)
17,983 Rangers (NHL)
17,698 Red Bulls (MLS)
17,598 Devils (NHL)
17,568 Nets (NBA)
Dallas, TX 5th 93,594 Cowboys (NFL)
31,272 Rangers (MLB)
20,217 Mavericks (NBA)
18,532 Stars (NHL) 		18,220 FC Dallas —
Denver, CO 5th 76,388 Broncos (NFL)
32,196 Rockies (MLB)
19,684 Nuggets (NBA)
18,103 Avalanche (NHL) 		15,409 Colorado
Rapids 		—
Los Angeles, CA
(LAFC) 		6th 73,150 Rams (NFL)
69,736 Chargers (NFL)
47,371 Dodgers (MLB)
32,599 Angels (MLB)
24,106 Galaxy (MLS) 		22,155 Los Angeles
FC 		19,756 Angel City (NWSL)
18,945 Clippers (NBA)
18,903 Lakers (NBA)
17,945 Kings (NHL)
15,687 Ducks (NHL)
Chicago, IL 6th 61,769 Bears (NFL)
34,261 Cubs (MLB)
21,405 White Sox (MLB)
20,624 Bulls (NBA)
18,836 Blackhawks (NHL) 		18,170 Chicago
Fire FC 		—
New York, NY
(NY Red Bulls) 		9th 79,307 Giants (NFL)
77,890 Jets (NFL)
40,862 Yankees (MLB)
32,994 Mets (MLB)
19,816 NYCFC (MLS)
19,728 Knicks (NBA)
18,099 Islanders (NHL)
17,983 Rangers (NHL) 		17,786 New York
Red Bulls 		17,598 Devils (NHL)
17,568 Nets (NBA)

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
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Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Major_League_Soccer_attendance&oldid=1238814402"