Major League Soccer attendance

Major League Soccer is the premier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1996, the 2015 season saw an average 21,574 spectators between the 20 teams, the highest average attendance in league history. MLS has the third-highest average attendance among all professional sports leagues with teams in the United States, ranking behind the National Football League and Major League Baseball but ahead of the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League. Among all North American professional sports leagues, MLS ranks fifth in average attendance per game behind the NFL and MLB as well as Liga MX and the Canadian Football League.

MLS attendance has grown since the early 2000s. The average attendance of 21,574 in 2015 was a 64% increase over the 13,756 average in 2000. The total attendance of 7,326,899 in 2015 is more than triple the 2,215,019 total of 2002.

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

2015 season

The following is a list of the average attendance for each of the nineteen MLS teams at their regular-season games. It includes the team, the average attendance for the 2016 regular season and the 2015 regular season, the percentage change in attendance from season-to-season, the home venue, the home venue's capacity, and the percent of capacity.[1]

Team 2016
Attendance
2015
Attendance
Change Stadium Capacity
(Unrestricted)
Percent
(2016)
Seattle Sounders FC 42,636 44,247 -4% CenturyLink Field 39,115
(69,000)
109%
(62%)
Orlando City SC 31,324 32,847-5% Orlando Citrus Bowl 19,500
(65,000)
161%
(48%)
New York City FC 27,196 29,016 -6% Yankee Stadium 27,470
(49,638)
99%
(55%)
Toronto FC 26,583 23,451 +13% BMO Field 30,226 88%
LA Galaxy 25,138 23,392 +7% StubHub Center 27,167 93%
Vancouver Whitecaps FC 22,330 20,507 +9% BC Place 22,120
(54,500)
101%
(41%)
Portland Timbers 21,144 21,144 0%Providence Park21,144 100%
Montreal Impact 20,669 17,750 +16% Saputo Stadium 20,801 99%
New York Red Bulls 20,620 19,657 +5% Red Bull Arena 25,219 82%
New England Revolution 20,185 19,627 +3% Gillette Stadium 20,000
(66,829)
101%
(30%)
San Jose Earthquakes 19,930 20,979 -5% Avaya Stadium 18,000 111%
Real Salt Lake 19,759 20,160 -2% Rio Tinto Stadium 20,213 98%
Sporting Kansas City 19,597 19,687 -0.5% Children's Mercy Park 21,000 93%
Houston Dynamo 19,021 20,658 -8% BBVA Compass Stadium 22,039 86%
Philadelphia Union 17,519 17,451 0% PPL Park 18,500 95%
Columbus Crew 17,125 16,513 +4% Mapfre Stadium 20,145 85%
D.C. United 17,081 16,244 +5% RFK Stadium 20,000
(45,596)
85%
(37%)
Colorado Rapids 16,278 15,657 +4% Dick's Sporting Goods Park 18,061 90%
Chicago Fire 15,602 16,003 -3% Toyota Park 20,000 78%
FC Dallas 14,094 16,015-12% Toyota Stadium 16,500 85%

Note: Vancouver's and Seattle's attendances are both over 100% capacity because, for select games, they open up additional sections above the regular limited capacity. Orlando's and New England's attendances are over 100% because their capacities are artificial; both teams regularly sell more tickets than the limit. San Jose's attendance is over 100% capacity because they played one game at Levi's Stadium (68,000 capacity).

* Stadium capacity artificially reduced for soccer matches

Season averages

Season Total Gate Games Average Change High avg. Team Low avg. Team Ref
1996 2,785,001 160 17,406 -- 28,916 Los Angeles Galaxy 10,213 Colorado Rapids [2]
1997 2,339,019 160 14,619 –16.0% 21,423 New England Revolution 9,058 Kansas City Wizards [3]
1998 2,747,897 192 14,312 –2.1% 21,784 Los Angeles Galaxy 8,072 Kansas City Wizards [4]
1999 2,742,102 192 14,282 –0.2% 17,696 Columbus Crew 8,183 Kansas City Wizards [5]
2000 2,641,085 192 13,756 –3.7% 20,400 Los Angeles Galaxy 7,460 Miami Fusion [6]
2001 2,363,859 158 14,961 +8.8% 21,518 D.C. United 9,112 Kansas City Wizards [7]
2002 2,215,019 140 15,822 +5.8% 20,690 Colorado Rapids 11,150 San Jose Earthquakes [8]
2003 2,234,747 150 14,898 –5.8% 21,983 Los Angeles Galaxy 7,906 Dallas Burn [9]
2004 2,333,797 150 15,559 +4.4% 23,809 Los Angeles Galaxy 9,088 Dallas Burn [10]
2005 2,900,716 192 15,108 –2.9% 24,204 Los Angeles Galaxy 9,691 Kansas City Wizards [11]
2006 2,976,787 192 15,504 +2.6% 20,814 Los Angeles Galaxy 11,083 Kansas City Wizards [12]
2007 3,270,210 195 16,770 +8.2% 24,252 Los Angeles Galaxy 11,586 Kansas City Wizards [13]
2008 3,456,600 210 16,460 –1.8% 26,008 Los Angeles Galaxy 10,685 Kansas City Wizards
2009 3,608,325 225 16,037 –2.6% 30,942 Seattle Sounders FC 9,883 FC Dallas
2010 4,002,000 240 16,675 +4.0% 36,173 Seattle Sounders FC 9,659 San Jose Earthquakes
2011 5,468,951 306 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 6,010,384 323 18,608 –1.1% 44,038 Seattle Sounders FC 8,366 Chivas USA
2014 6,184,804 323 19,148 +2.9% 43,734 Seattle Sounders FC 7,063 Chivas USA
2015 7,326,899 340 21,574 +12.7% 44,247 Seattle Sounders FC 15,657 Colorado Rapids
2016 7,375,144 340 21,692 +0.5% 42,636 Seattle Sounders FC 14,094 FC Dallas

Notes:

MLS attendance vs. other North American professional leagues

The following table compares the Major League Soccer regular season average attendance against the regular season average attendance for the other professional sports leagues in North America with average attendances of at least 10,000 spectators per game.

League Sport # Teams Season Average
attendance
Average vs.
prior season
Total
Attendance
Ref
National Football League American football 32 2015 68,776 +445 17,606,643 [15]
Major League Baseball Baseball 30 2016 30,168 –198 73,158,044
Liga MX Soccer 18 2014–1525,557+4,2507,820,289[16]
Canadian Football League Canadian football 9 2015 24,737 –549 2,003,714 [17]
Major League Soccer Soccer 20 2016 21,692 +118 7,375,144
National Basketball Association Basketball 30 2015-16 17,864 +38 21,972,129 [18]
National Hockey League Ice hockey 30 2015-16 17,482 –20 21,451,041 [19]

MLS attendance vs. other soccer leagues worldwide

Rank League Country Federation Season Teams Games Total
attendance
Average
attendance
Change
1 Bundesliga Germany UEFA 2015-16 18 306 13,249,778 43,300[20] -239
2 Premier League England / Wales UEFA 2015-16 20 380 13,851,829 36,452[21] +276
3 La Liga Spain UEFA 2015-162038010,703,88127,021[22] +1,147
4 Liga MX Mexico CONCACAF 2015-16183068,506,81225,557[23] +2,243
5 Serie A Italy UEFA 2015–16203808,604,53722,199[24] +445
6 Chinese Super League China AFC 2015162405,243,04321,846 +2,861
7 Major League Soccer USA / Canada CONCACAF 2016 20 340 7,375,144 21,692 +118
8 Ligue 1 France / Monaco UEFA 2015-16 20 380 7,970,815 20,976[25] -1,386
9 Primera División Argentina CONMEBOL 2014203726,999,92418,817
10 Eredivisie Netherlands UEFA 2015-16183065,940,00018,744[26] +668
11 J1 League Japan AFC 2015 18 306 5,452,311 17,818[27][28] +579
12 2. Bundesliga Germany UEFA 2015-16 18 306 5,861,328 17,667[29] +1,488
13 Football Championship England / Wales UEFA 2015-16 24 551 9,705,635 17,583[30] +5
14 Campeonato Brasileiro Brazil CONMEBOL 2015 20 380 6,520,677 17,160[31] +228

Historic average attendances

Season CHICHVCOLCLB DALDCUHOULAMIAMTLNENYCNYRBOCPHIPORRSLSJSEAKCTBTORVAN
1996 10,213 18,950 16,011 15,262 28,916 19,205 23,898 17,232 12,878 11,679
1997 11,835 15,043 9,678 16,698 20,626 21,423 16,899 13,597 9,058 11,333
1998 17,886 14,812 12,274 10,947 16,007 21,784 10,284 19,187 16,519 13,653 8,072 10,312
1999 16,016 14,029 17,696 12,211 17,419 17,632 8,689 16,795 14,706 14,959 8,183 13,106
2000 13,387 12,580 15,451 13,102 18,580 20,400 7,460 15,463 17,621 12,460 9,112 9,452
2001 16,388 16,481 17,511 12,574 21,518 17,387 11,177 15,654 20,806 9,63510,954 10,479
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 17,080 16,638 12,916 11,189 16,664 24,204 12,525 15,077 18,037 13,037 9,691
2006 14,111 19,840 12,056 13,294 14,982 18,251 18,935 20,814 11,786 14,570 16,366 11,083
2007 16,490 14,305 14,749 15,230 15,154 20,967 15,88324,252 16,787 16,530 15,960 11,586 20,130
2008 17,034 15,114 13,659 14,662 13,024 19,835 16,93926,009 17,580 15,928 16,179 13,856 10,686 20,120
2009 15,487 15,725 13,018 14,175 12,440 15,585 17,62420,827 12,427 12,744 17,831 10,32931,203 10,053 20,344
2010 15,814 14,576 14,329 14,642 10,815 14,532 17,31021,437 12,987 18,441 19,254 17,095 9,65936,173 10,287 20,453
201114,274 14,830 14,838 12,18512,861 15,181 17,694 23,335 13,222 19,691 18,259 18,827 17,594 11,85838,496 17,810 20,267 20,412
201216,409 13,056 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
201315,228 8,366 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
201416,0767,06315,08216,88116,81617,03020,11721,25817,42116,68119,421 17,631 20,806 20,35114,94743,73420,003 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

Notes:

Individual game highest attendance

Regular season

Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Date Source
1Los Angeles Galaxy 2–1NY/NJ MetroStars 69,255April 13, 1996[32]
2Seattle Sounders FC 1–0Portland Timbers 67,385August 25, 2013[33]
3Seattle Sounders FC 3–0Portland Timbers 66,452October 7, 2012[34]
4New York Red Bulls 5–4Los Angeles Galaxy 66,237August 18, 2007[32]
5Seattle Sounders FC 1–1Los Angeles Galaxy 66,216October 27, 2013[35]
6Seattle Sounders FC 2–1Portland Timbers 64,358August 30, 2015[36]
7Seattle Sounders FC 2–0Portland Timbers 64,207July 13, 2014[32]
8Seattle Sounders FC 2–1San Jose Earthquakes 64,140October 15, 2011[32]
9Los Angeles Galaxy 0–1New England Revolution 62,703July 4, 1996[32]
10Orlando City 1–1New York City 62,510March 8, 2015
11Colorado Rapids 3–2Chicago Fire 61,202July 4, 2002[32]
12Seattle Sounders FC 4–0Los Angeles Galaxy 60,908August 5, 2012[32]
13Montreal Impact 1–1Los Angeles Galaxy 60,860May 12, 2012[37]
14Colorado Rapids 3–1D.C. United 60,500July 4, 2001[32]
15Los Angeles Galaxy 1–2Miami Fusion 60,433July 4, 1999[32]
16Orlando City 2–2Real Salt Lake 60,147March 6, 2016
17Colorado Rapids 3–2Kansas City 60,142July 4, 2003[32]

MLS Cup playoffs

Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Date Source
1New England Revolution 0–1Los Angeles Galaxy 61,316October 20, 2002[38]
2Montreal Impact 3–2Toronto FC 61,004November 22, 2016[39]

Doubleheader games highest attendance

Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Date Source Doubleheader with
1Chivas USA 1–1New England Revolution92,650August 6, 2006[32] FC Barcelona vs. C.D. Guadalajara.[40]
2Los Angeles Galaxy 2–2Tampa Bay Mutiny92,216June 16, 1996[32] United States vs. Mexico
3Chivas USA 0–1Los Angeles Galaxy88,816August 10, 2005[32] C.D. Guadalajara vs. Club América.[41]
4San Jose Clash 1–1D.C. United73,123July 4, 1999[32] USA women vs. Brazil women.[42]
5Houston Dynamo 0–1Los Angeles Galaxy70,550August 9, 2006[32] FC Barcelona vs. Club América.[43]
6San Jose Earthquakes 0–3Columbus Crew61,572August 8, 2009[32] FC Barcelona vs. C.D. Guadalajara.
7New England Revolution 2–1Tampa Bay Mutiny 57,407April 20, 1997[32] United States vs. Mexico.

MLS Attendance Rank By City / Metro Area

The table is sorted by MLS attendance rank, and then by MLS attendance.

City / Metro Area MLS
Attend
Rank
Higher Attendance MLS Attendance Lower Attendance
Orlando, FL 1st --- 32,973 City SC 16,785 Magic (NBA)
San Jose, CA 1st --- 23,065 Earthquakes 18,707 Sharks (NHL)
Portland, OR 1st --- 21,144 Timbers 19,554 Trail Blazers (NBA)
Salt Lake, UT 1st --- 20,138 Real Salt Lake 18,830 Jazz (NBA)
Columbus, OH 1st --- 15,620 Crew 14,564 Blue Jackets (NHL)
Seattle, WA 2nd 68,174 Seahawks (NFL) 41,257 Sounders 27,081 Mariners (MLB)
Toronto, Ontario 2nd 29,327 Blue Jays (MLB) 24,502 Toronto FC 19,751 Raptors (NBA)
19,076 Maple Leafs (NHL)
17,790 Argonauts (CFL)
Houston, TX 2nd 71,644 Texans (NFL) 20,875 Dynamo 20,393 Astros (MLB)
18,229 Rockets (NBA)
Vancouver, B.C. 2nd 28,011 BC Lions (CFL) 20,725 Whitecaps 18,710 Canucks (NHL)
Los Angeles, CA 3rd 46,216 Dodgers (MLB)
37,277 Angels (MLB)
22,619 Galaxy 19,168 Clippers (NBA)
18,737 Lakers (NBA)
18,178 Kings (NHL)
15,887 Ducks (NHL)
Kansas City, MO/KS 3rd 75,354 Chiefs (NFL)
21,614 Royals (MLB)
19,847 Sporting ---
Boston, MA 3rd 68,756 Patriots (NFL)
35,564 Red Sox (MLB)
18,075 Revolution 17,593 Celtics (NBA)
17,565 Bruins (NHL)
Montreal, Quebec 3rd 21,286 Canadiens (NHL)
20,675 Alouettes (CFL)
16,726 Impact ---
New York, NY 5th/
7th
78,967 Giants (NFL)
78,160 Jets (NFL)
39,922 Yankees (MLB)
31,092 Mets (MLB)
28,907 New York City FC
19,627 Red Bulls
19,812 Knicks (NBA)
18,006 Rangers (NHL)
17,037 Nets (NBA)
15,334 Islanders (NHL)
15,189 Devils (NHL)
Dallas, TX 4th 88,043 Cowboys (NFL)
30,763 Rangers (MLB)
20,187 Mavericks (NBA)
15,965 FC Dallas 14,658 Stars (NHL)
Philadelphia, PA 4th 69,144 Eagles (NFL)
23,475 Phillies (MLB)
19,271 Flyers (NHL)
17,706 Union 13,940 76ers (NBA)
Denver, CO 4th 76,939 Broncos (NFL)
31,334 Rockies (MLB)
16,176 Avalanche (NHL)
15,657 Rapids 14,700 Nuggets (NBA)
Washington DC 5th 77,220 Redskins (NFL)
32,745 Nationals (MLB)
18,238 Wizards (NBA)
18,054 Capitals (NHL)
15,393 D.C. United ---
Chicago, IL 6th 61,681 Bears (NFL)
32,742 Cubs (MLB)
21,769 Blackhawks (NHL)
21,343 Bulls (NBA)
20,896 White Sox (MLB)
15,694 Fire ---

MLS attendance is for the 2015 season.

See also

References

  1. "2013 Final Attendance Update". MLS Attendance. Blogger. Retrieved November 10, 2013.
  2. "1996 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  3. "1997 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  4. "1998 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  5. "1999 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  6. "2000 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  7. "2001 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  8. "2002 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  9. "2003 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  10. "2004 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  11. "2005 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  12. "2006 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  13. "2007 Full Season Stats". Major League Soccer. Retrieved May 25, 2011.
  14. MLS attendance second best in history, Soccer America, October 30, 2007. Retrieved April 13, 2014.
  15. "Cowboys Retain NFL Attendance Crown; Rams Rank Last In Home Percent Capacity". Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  16. [worldfootball.net "worldfootball.net"] Check |url= value (help). worldfootball.net. Retrieved October 3, 2015.
  17. 22, 2016 "2015 CFL Attendance" Check |url= value (help).
  18. "2016 NBA Attendance Info". Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  19. "2015-16 NHL Attendance Report". ESPN. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  20. "Bundesliga 2015/2016 - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  21. "Premier League 2015/2016 - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  22. "Primera División 2015/2016 - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  23. "Primera División 2015/2016 Clausura - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  24. "Serie A 2015/2016 - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  25. "Ligue 1 2015/2016 - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  26. "Eredivisie 2015/2016 - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  27. "J1 League 2015 1. Phase - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  28. "J1 League 2015 2. Phase - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  29. "2. Bundesliga 2015/2016 - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  30. "Championship 2015/2016 - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  31. "Série A 2015 - Attendance". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 2016-08-24.
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 "MLS Factbook 2012" (pdf). MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  33. "SEA vs POR".
  34. "SEA vs POR". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved October 7, 2012.
  35. "SEA vs LA". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
  36. "SEA vs POR". soundersfc.com. Retrieved August 31, 2015.
  37. "Match Center". MLSsoccer.com. Retrieved May 14, 2012.
  38. "NE vs LA".
  39. "MTL vs TOR".
  40. "Chivas USA 1-1 New England". ESPN, Inc. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
  41. "Count down to SuperClassico". Chivas. Retrieved May 16, 2012.
  42. "over-35000-tickets-sold-june-30-match-vs-la". San Jose Earthquakes. Retrieved October 16, 2012.
  43. "Los Angeles Galaxy 2006". San Jose Earthquakes. Retrieved October 16, 2012.

Notes

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