Major League Soccer attendance
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.[1] The average attendance of 21,692 in 2016 was a 57% increase over the 13,756 average in 2000. The total attendance of 7,375,144 in 2016 is more than triple the 2,215,019 total of 2002. 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, average attendance is 22,111 per match—a league record. The league drew over 10 million spectators overall during the 2022 and 2023 seasons.[3] The previous average attendance record was 22,106, set in the 2017 season.[3] 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.[4] 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.[3]
2023 season
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.[3]
Rank | 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 | 30,000 | 94.2% |
5 | FC Cincinnati | 25,367 | 22,487 | +12.8% | TQL Stadium | 25,513 | 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[lower-alpha 1] | 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[lower-alpha 2] | 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% | Exploria 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*[lower-alpha 3] | 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.
- One match played at the Rose Bowl (capacity 92,542).
- St. Louis City SC entered MLS in 2023.[3]
- New York City FC played home matches at several other venues in the New York metropolitan area.[5]
Key | |
---|---|
* | Stadium capacity artificially reduced for soccer matches |
Season averages
Season | Total attendance | 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 | [6] |
1997 | 2,336,889 | 160 | 14,606 | –16.1% | 21,298 | New England Revolution | 9,058 | Kansas City Wizards | [7] |
1998 | 2,747,897 | 192 | 14,312 | –2.1% | 21,784 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 8,073 | Kansas City Wizards | [8] |
1999 | 2,742,102 | 192 | 14,282 | –0.2% | 17,696 | Columbus Crew | 8,183 | Kansas City Wizards | [9] |
2000 | 2,641,085 | 192 | 13,756 | –3.7% | 20,400 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 7,460 | Miami Fusion | [10] |
2001 | 2,363,859 | 158 | 14,961 | +8.8% | 21,518 | D.C. United | 9,112 | Kansas City Wizards | [11] |
2002 | 2,215,019 | 140 | 15,822 | +5.8% | 20,690 | Colorado Rapids | 11,150 | San Jose Earthquakes | [12] |
2003 | 2,234,747 | 150 | 14,898 | –5.8% | 21,983 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 7,906 | Dallas Burn | [13] |
2004 | 2,333,797 | 150 | 15,559 | +4.4% | 23,809 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 9,088 | Dallas Burn | [14] |
2005 | 2,900,716 | 192 | 15,108 | –2.9% | 24,204 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 9,691 | Kansas City Wizards | [15] |
2006 | 2,976,787 | 192 | 15,504 | +2.6% | 20,814 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 11,083 | Kansas City Wizards | [16] |
2007 | 3,270,210 | 195 | 16,770 | +8.2% | 24,252 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 11,586 | Kansas City Wizards | [17] |
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 | |
2017 | 8,270,187 | 374 | 22,106 | +1.9% | 48,200 | Atlanta United FC | 15,122 | FC Dallas | |
2018 | 8,553,245 | 391 | 21,875 | –1.1% | 53,002 | Atlanta United FC | 12,447 | Columbus Crew SC | |
2019 | 8,676,109 | 408 | 21,330 | –2.7% | 52,510 | Atlanta United FC | 12,324 | Chicago Fire | [18] |
2020* | 637,020 | 292 | 2,182 | N/A | 6,101 | Seattle Sounders FC | 0 | Multiple teams | [19] |
2021* | 6,213,022 | 459 | 13,536 | N/A | 43,964 | Atlanta United FC | 647 | CF Montréal | [20] |
2022 | 10,011,578 | 476 | 21,033 | –1.4% | 47,116 | Atlanta United FC | 12,637 | Inter Miami CF | [5] |
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:
- Green shading indicates record highs; red shading indicates record lows.
- 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 Cup Playoffs attendance
Season | Total attendance[21] | Games[21] | Average[21] |
---|---|---|---|
1996 | 300,435 | 17 | 17,673 |
1997 | 208,192 | 13 | 16,015 |
1998 | 249,968 | 14 | 17,855 |
1999 | 257,417 | 16 | 16,089 |
2000 | 203,548 | 17 | 11,973 |
2001 | 212,485 | 18 | 11,805 |
2002 | 235,827 | 17 | 13,872 |
2003 | 164,758 | 11 | 14,978 |
2004 | 153,691 | 11 | 13,972 |
2005 | 158,285 | 11 | 14,390 |
2006 | 166,972 | 11 | 15,179 |
2007 | 217,479 | 11 | 19,771 |
2008 | 181,382 | 11 | 16,489 |
2009 | 259,149 | 11 | 23,559 |
2010 | 214,885 | 11 | 19,535 |
2011 | 247,762 | 13 | 22,524 |
2012 | 309,717 | 15 | 23,824 |
2013 | 285,722 | 15 | 21,979 |
2014 | 354,489 | 15 | 23,633 |
2015 | 388,289 | 17 | 22,841 |
2016 | 472,461 | 17 | 27,792 |
2017 | 453,781 | 17 | 26,693 |
2018 | 494,511 | 17 | 29,089 |
2019 | 442,476 | 13 | 34,037 |
2020 | — | — | — |
2021 | 299,891 | 13 | 23,069 |
2022 | 263,192 | 13 | 20,245 |
2023 | 646,677 | 28 | 23,096 |
Key | |
---|---|
Record high | |
Record low | |
* | Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic |
Notes:
- 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
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 that have average attendances of at least 10,000 spectators per game.
League | Sport | # Teams | Season | Average attendance | Chg from prior season avg | Total Attendance | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
National Football League | American football | 32 | 2022 | 69,198 | +2625[lower-alpha 1] | 18,819,164 | [22][23] |
Major League Baseball | Baseball | 30 | 2022 | 26,567 | -1637[lower-alpha 1] | 64,556,658 | [24][25] |
Canadian Football League | Canadian football | 9 | 2019 | 22,917 | -938 | 1,856,263 | [26] |
Liga MX[lower-alpha 2] | Soccer | 18 | 2018-19 | 22,787 | -1624 | 6,972,952 | [27][28] |
Major League Soccer | Soccer | 28 | 2022 | 21,033 | +4019 | 10,011,578 | [5] |
National Basketball Association | Basketball | 30 | 2022–23 | 18,077 | +220[lower-alpha 3] | 22,234,502 | [29] |
National Hockey League | Ice hockey | 30 | 2022–23 | 17,101 | -355[lower-alpha 3] | 22,436,532 | [30] |
- Comparison is between the 2022 and 2019 seasons, the latter being the last to be completely unaffected by COVID-19 restrictions.
- Dual-season league; Apertura 2018 & Clausura 2019
- Comparison is between the 2022–23 and 2018–19 seasons, the latter being the last to be completely unaffected by COVID-19 restrictions.
MLS attendance vs. other soccer leagues worldwide
No. | League | Country | Federation | Season | Teams | Games | Total attendance | Average attendance | Ref |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bundesliga | Germany | UEFA | 2022–23 | 18 | 306 | 13,147,701 | 42,966 | [31] |
2 | Premier League | England / Wales | UEFA | 2022–23 | 20 | 380 | 15,261,764 | 40,269 | [32] |
3 | Serie A | Italy | UEFA | 2022–23 | 20 | 380 | 11,213,040 | 29,508 | [33] |
4 | La Liga | Spain | UEFA | 2022–23 | 20 | 380 | 11,179,866 | 29,420 | [34] |
5 | Série A | Brazil | CONMEBOL | 2023 | 20 | 380 | 10,213,460 | 26,878 | [35] |
6 | Ligue 1 | France / Monaco | UEFA | 2022–23 | 20 | 380 | 9,047,612 | 23,810 | [36] |
7 | 2. Bundesliga | Germany | UEFA | 2022–23 | 18 | 306 | 6,800,413 | 22,224 | [37] |
8 | Major League Soccer | United States / Canada | CONCACAF | 2023 | 29 | 493 | 10,900,804 | 22,111 | |
9 | Liga MX | Mexico | CONCACAF | 2022–23 | 18 | 306 | 6,382,928 | 20,933 | [38][39] |
10 | Chinese Super League | China | AFC | 2023 | 16 | 240 | 4,769,541 | 19,873 | [40] |
11 | J1 League | Japan | AFC | 2023 | 18 | 306 | 5,811,987 | 18,993 | [41] |
12 | EFL Championship | England / Wales | UEFA | 2022–23 | 24 | 551 | 10,351,379 | 18,787 | [42] |
13 | Eredivisie | The Netherlands | UEFA | 2022–23 | 18 | 306 | 5,539,486 | 18,162 | [43] |
14 | Primera División | Argentina | CONMEBOL | 2022 | 28 | 378 | 5,960,304 | 15,768 | [44] |
Historic average attendances
Current active teams
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 | 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[18] | 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[19] | 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[20] | 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[5] | 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[3] | 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 | 23,490 | 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
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
Regular season
Rank | Home team | Score | Away team | Attendance | Stadium | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LA Galaxy | 2–1 | Los Angeles FC | 82,110 | Rose Bowl | July 4, 2023 | [45] |
2 | Charlotte FC | 0–1 | LA Galaxy | 74,479 | Bank of America Stadium | March 5, 2022 | [46] |
3 | Sporting Kansas City | 2–3 | Inter Miami CF | 72,610 | Arrowhead Stadium | April 13, 2024 | [47] |
4 | Atlanta United FC | 3–0 | LA Galaxy | 72,548 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | August 3, 2019 | [48] |
5 | Atlanta United FC | 1–1 | Seattle Sounders FC | 72,243 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | July 15, 2018 | [49] |
6 | Atlanta United FC | 3–1 | D.C. United | 72,035 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | March 11, 2018 | [50] |
7 | Atlanta United FC | 2–0 | Real Salt Lake | 72,017 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | September 22, 2018 | [51] |
8 | Atlanta United FC | 4–0 | Orlando City SC | 71,932 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | June 30, 2018 | [52] |
9 | Atlanta United FC | 2–2 | Toronto FC | 71,874 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | October 22, 2017 | [53] |
10 | Atlanta United FC | 2–1 | Chicago Fire | 71,812 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | October 21, 2018 | [54] |
MLS Cup Playoffs
Rank | Home team | Score | Away team | Round | Attendance | Stadium | Date | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Atlanta United FC | 2–0 | Portland Timbers | Final | 73,019 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | December 8, 2018 | [55] |
2 | Atlanta United FC | 3–1 | New York City FC | Conference Semifinals | 70,526 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | November 11, 2018 | [56] |
3 | Atlanta United FC | 3–0 | New York Red Bulls | Conference Final | 70,016 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | November 25, 2018 | [57] |
4 | Seattle Sounders FC | 3–1 | Toronto FC | Final | 69,274 | CenturyLink Field | November 10, 2019 | [58] |
5 | Atlanta United FC | 0–0 (1–3 pen.) | Columbus Crew | Knockout Round | 67,221 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | October 26, 2017 | [57] |
6 | Atlanta United FC | 1–0 | New England Revolution | Knockout Round | 66,114 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | October 19, 2019 | [57] |
7 | New England Revolution | 0–1 | LA Galaxy | Final | 61,316 | Gillette Stadium | October 20, 2002 | [59] |
8 | Montreal Impact | 3–2 | Toronto FC | Conference Final | 61,004 | Olympic Stadium | November 23, 2016 | [60] |
9 | D.C. United | 2–1 | Colorado Rapids | Final | 57,431 | RFK Memorial Stadium | October 26, 1997 | [59] |
10 | Chicago Fire | 2–0 | D.C. United | Final | 51,350 | Rose Bowl | October 25, 1998 | [59] |
By team
Rank | Home team | Score | Away team | Round | Attendance | Stadium | Date |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | LA Galaxy | 2–1 | Los Angeles FC | Regular season | 82,110 | Rose Bowl | July 4, 2023 |
2 | Charlotte FC | 0–1 | LA Galaxy | Regular season | 74,479 | Bank of America Stadium | March 5, 2022 |
3 | Atlanta United FC | 2–0 | Portland Timbers | Final | 73,019 | Mercedes-Benz Stadium | December 8, 2018 |
4 | Sporting Kansas City | 2–3 | Inter Miami CF | Regular season | 72,610 | Arrowhead Stadium | April 13, 2024[61] |
5 | Seattle Sounders FC | 3–1 | Toronto FC | Final | 69,274 | CenturyLink Field | November 10, 2019 |
6 | New England Revolution | 1–4 | Inter Miami CF | Regular season | 65,612 | Gillette Stadium | April 27, 2024[62] |
7 | Chicago Fire FC | 4–1 | Inter Miami CF | Regular season | 62,214 | Soldier Field | October 4, 2023[63] |
Vancouver Whitecaps FC | 0–1 | Los Angeles FC | Playoffs, Round One | 30,204 | BC Place | November 5, 2023[64] |
Doubleheader games highest attendance
Rank | Home team | Score | Away team | Attendance | Stadium | Date | Source | Doubleheader with |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Chivas USA | 1–1 | New England Revolution | 92,650 | August 6, 2006 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | [59] | Barcelona vs. Guadalajara[65] |
2 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 2–2 | Tampa Bay Mutiny | 92,216 | June 16, 1996 | Rose Bowl | [59] | United States vs. Mexico[66] |
3 | Chivas USA | 0–1 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 88,816 | August 10, 2005 | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum | [59] | Guadalajara vs. América[67][68] |
4 | San Jose Clash | 1–1 | D.C. United | 73,123 | July 4, 1999 | Stanford Stadium | [59] | United States women vs. Brazil women (1999 FIFA Women's World Cup)[69] |
5 | Houston Dynamo | 0–1 | Los Angeles Galaxy | 70,550 | August 9, 2006 | Reliant Stadium | [59] | Barcelona vs. América[70] |
6 | San Jose Earthquakes | 0–3 | Columbus Crew | 61,572 | August 8, 2009 | Candlestick Park | [59] | Barcelona vs. Guadalajara[69] |
7 | New England Revolution | 2–1 | Tampa Bay Mutiny | 57,407 | April 20, 1997 | Foxboro Stadium | [59] | United States vs. Mexico[71] |
MLS ranking among pro sports leagues average attendance by metro area
The table is sorted by MLS attendance average rank, and then by MLS attendance.
Only attendances in MLS and the traditional major professional sports leagues of the U.S. and Canada are listed here. Not listed are college football teams, some of which outdraw some major professional teams.
Metro area | MLS Attend Rank | Higher attendance | MLS attendance | Lower attendance |
---|---|---|---|---|
Portland, OR | 1st | — | 23,103 Timbers | 18,379 Trail Blazers (NBA) |
Orlando, FL | 1st | — | 20,590 City SC | 18,937 Magic (NBA) |
Columbus, OH | 1st | — | 20,314 Crew | 16,702 Blue Jackets (NHL) |
Salt Lake City, UT | 1st | — | 19,429 Real Salt Lake | 18,306 Jazz (NBA) |
Atlanta, GA | 2nd | 69,603 Falcons (NFL) | 47,526 United FC | 39,401 Braves (MLB) 16,885 Hawks (NBA) |
Charlotte, NC | 2nd | 71,635 Panthers (NFL) | 36,337 Charlotte FC | 16,493 Hornets (NBA) |
Nashville, TN | 2nd | 64,520 Titans (NFL) | 28,257 Nashville SC | 17,285 Predators (NHL) |
St. Louis, MO | 2nd | 40,013 Cardinals (MLB) | 22,423 City SC | 18,077 Blues (NHL) |
Toronto, ON | 2nd | 37,307 Blue Jays (MLB) | 25,310 Toronto FC | 19,559 Raptors (NBA) 18,781 Maple Leafs (NHL) 11,875 Argonauts (CFL) |
Cincinnati, OH | 2nd | 66,040 Bengals (NFL) | 25,367 FC Cincinnati | 25,164 Reds (MLB) |
Kansas City, MO/KS | 2nd | 70,968 Chiefs (NFL) | 18,616 SKC | 16,136 Royals (MLB) |
Montreal, QC | 2nd | 21,092 Canadiens (NHL) | 17,552 CF Montreal | 17,682 Alouettes (CFL) |
Seattle, WA | 3rd | 68,735 Seahawks (NFL) 33,215 Mariners (MLB) | 32,161 Sounders FC | 18,408 Kraken (NHL) |
Boston, MA | 3rd | 63,018 Patriots (NFL) 32,989 Red Sox (MLB) | 16,737 Revolution | 19,156 Celtics (NBA) 17,850 Bruins (NHL) |
Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN | 3rd | 66,849 Vikings (NFL) 28,322 Twins (MLB) | 19,723 MNUFC | 18,907 Wild (NHL) 15,305 Timberwolves (NBA) |
San Francisco Bay Area, CA | 3rd | 71,655 49ers (NFL) 30,866 Giants (MLB) | 18,412 Earthquakes | 18,064 Warriors (NBA) 13,768 Sharks (NHL) 10,276 Athletics (MLB) |
Vancouver, BC | 3rd | 20,387 BC Lions (CFL) 18,795 Canucks (NHL) | 16,745 Whitecaps FC | — |
Philadelphia, PA | 4th | 69,878 Eagles (NFL) 37,686 Phillies (MLB) 20,011 76ers (NBA) | 18,907 Union | 18,181 Flyers (NHL) |
Miami, FL | 4th | 65,922 Dolphins (NFL) 19,744 Heat (NBA) 18,435 Panthers (NHL) | 17,786 Inter Miami CF | 14,356 Marlins (MLB) |
Washington, DC | 4th | 63,950 Commanders (NFL) 23,035 Nationals (MLB) 17,566 Capitals (NHL) | 17,540 D.C. United | 16,561 Wizards (NBA) |
Houston, TX | 4th | 71,193 Texans (NFL) 37,683 Astros (MLB) 17,534 Rockets (NBA) | 15,029 Dynamo FC | — |
Los Angeles, CA | 5th 6th | 73,150 Rams (NFL) 69,736 Chargers (NFL) 47,371 Dodgers (MLB) 32,600 Angels (MLB) | 24,106 Galaxy 22,155 LAFC | 18,859 Lakers (NBA) 18,614 Clippers (NBA) 18,064 Kings (NHL) 15,499 Ducks (NHL) |
New York, NY | 5th 8th | 79,307 Giants (NFL) 77,890 Jets (NFL) 40,358 Yankees (MLB) 31,772 Mets (MLB) | 19,816 NYCFC 17,698 Red Bulls | 19,696 Knicks (NBA) 17,973 Rangers (NHL) 17,552 Nets (NBA) 16,399 Devils (NHL) 16,170 Islanders (NHL) |
Dallas, TX | 5th | 93,594 Cowboys (NFL) 31,272 Rangers (MLB) 20,185 Mavericks (NBA) 18,532 Stars (NHL) | 18,220 FC Dallas | — |
Denver, CO | 5th | 76,388 Broncos (NFL) 32,197 Rockies (MLB) 19,678 Nuggets (NBA) 18,089 Avalanche (NHL) | 15,409 Rapids | — |
Chicago, IL | 6th | 61,916 Bears (NFL) 34,261 Cubs (MLB) 20,613 White Sox (MLB) 20,273 Bulls (NBA) 18,747 Blackhawks (NHL) | 18,710 Fire FC | — |
MLS, NFL, and MLB attendances are for their 2023 seasons. NBA and NHL attendances are for their 2022–23 seasons. CFL attendances are for their 2022 seasons.
See also
- Record attendances in United States club soccer
- List of Major League Soccer stadiums
- National Women's Soccer League attendance
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