Breaking down the biggest soccer crowds in the US in 2021

After a COVID-19 hiatus, the biggest soccer crowds in the U.S. in 2021 returned to some normalcy.

Generally speaking, attendance is the principal metric to gauge the popularity of the sport in the country. However, we look beyond national teams to see how well the sport fits in. After all, the diversity and sheer size of the country warrants different crowds for different competitions. For instance, club competitions often happen in lavish and large NFL stadiums, so you will see that trend below.

In 2020, we lost the opportunity to view sporting events at full capacity. That is, of course, with the exception of a handful of games at the beginning of the year. Games in February or March went on before the world essentially shut down. In February, Nissan Stadium hosted 59,069 people in Nashville SC’s home debut against Atlanta United. March had two games exceed 40,000 spectators. The Seattle Sounders and Chicago Fire played in front of 40,126 at CenturyLink Field, now Lumen Field. Then, an immense 69,301 fans packed into Mercedes-Benz Stadium to watch Atlanta United take on FC Cincinnati.

That year is unforgettable, largely for unfortunate and, frankly, frustrating reasons. This past year provided a little more freedom in regards to stadium capacity. Therefore, competitions for club and country could welcome more fans more frequently.

Biggest soccer crowds in the US in 2021

Below is how well the soccer market in the U.S. turned around in 2021. These are all the games that exceeded 40,000 fans in both club and international competitions.

Certain trends exist on surface level, particularly involving a certain MLS team.

50,000 and up

40,000-50,000 fans

Breaking it Down

Immediately, one of the more recognizable trends is the frequency in which Mexico appears on this list. The fact that the U.S. hosts the Gold Cup every two years surely helps that trend. Yet, it also speaks volumes for the popularity of the neighbors to the south in the United States. That being said, it is nice to see the USMNT crack the biggest crowds in the U.S. in 2021.

We expect the Americans to make the list against Mexico. But, the World Cup qualifier against Canada is the first time the USMNT attracted more than 40,000 since 2017. That game was the Gold Cup opener against Panama. Interestingly, that game also came in Nashville.

On the down-side, COVID travel restrictions did cause fans to miss out on some opportunities. The usual International Champions Cup frequently welcomes the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Real Madrid or Barcelona. That tournament did not take place. Thus, restrictions reduced the possibility for even more games with massive crowds.

However, plenty of MLS made the biggest soccer crowds in the U.S. in 2021. Once again, Atlanta United led that particular charge. In conclusion, Atlanta comfortably surpassed Seattle as the league’s biggest crowd draw.