A user on Reddit has complied a comprehensive list regarding soccer attendances in 2023. 



Although the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/premier-league-tv-schedule/">Premier League</a> is widely considered to be the top division in the world, the English top flight did not earn the top spot on attendance.



Germany’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/bundesliga-tv-schedule/">Bundesliga</a> edged the Premier League by averaging nearly 43,000 fans per fixture. This is almost 3,000 more people per game than the English division.



German giants <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/borussia-dortmund-tv-schedule/">Borussia Dortmund</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/bayern-munich-tv-schedule/">Bayern Munich</a> anchored the German league by both averaging over 75,000 fans per match. Only two teams across the world recorded higher attendance figures on the year than the Bundesliga duo.



<h2>European giants unsurprisingly dominate chart</h2>



According to the <a href="https://old.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/18ynux8/2023_world_attendance_rankings/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Reddit</a> post, the Premier League does, however, hold the second spot in the rankings by considerable margin. The division averaged more than 10,000 fans per game compared to the third-placed Italian <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/serie-a-tv-schedule/">Serie A</a>. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/manchester-united-tv-schedule/">Manchester United</a> unsurprisingly led the English top flight by recording 73,671 fans each home game.



Nevertheless, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/west-ham-tv-schedule/">West Ham</a> actually finished second in England by averaging 62,000 supporters per match. The Hammers previously moved into the spacious London Stadium back in 2016 after leaving Upton Park. The club’s previous historic home could only accommodate around 35,000 fans.



Europe continued to dominate the attendance charts, as the Serie A and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/la-liga-tv-schedule/">LaLiga</a> were both included in the top four of the rankings. The Italian league only narrowly topped the Spanish top flight in attendance during 2023. Serie A was boosted thanks to rivals <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/ac-milan-tv-schedule/">AC Milan</a> and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/inter-milan-tv-schedule/">Inter Milan</a>, as well as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/roma-tv-schedule-for-us-viewers/">Roma</a>.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="800" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20240106_WST_481706_imago1027691020h-1200x800_0d3dbbea.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=800" alt="" class="wp-image-481745" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1027691020h-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1027691020h-300x200.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1027691020h-768x512.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1027691020h-1536x1025.jpg 1536w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2024/01/imago1027691020h-2048x1366.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure><figcaption>Barcelona’s place in the top-spot will not be repeated in 2024 due to the ongoing construction work on the Camp Nou</figcaption></figure>



The two Milan sides currently share the San Siro. Despite playing matches in the same stadium, Inter Milan actually edged their bitter rivals in the attendance department. I Nerazzurri averaged about 800 more fans per game than AC Milan.



<h2>MLS manages to crack top 10 of attendance rankings</h2>



Although Europe predictably dominated the peak of the attendance rankings, four North/South American leagues did make the top 10 of the list. Brazil’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/brasileirao-tv-schedule-and-streaming-links/">Serie A</a> and Argentina’s <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/superliga-argentina-tv-schedule/">Primera Division</a> both finished in the top five of the rankings. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/river-plate-tv-schedule/">River Plate</a>, one of Argentina’s premier clubs, actually averaged just over 81,000 fans per game during the calendar year. Only <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/barcelona-tv-schedule/">Barcelona</a> managed to record a higher attendance in this timeframe.



<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/mls-tv-schedule/">Major League Soccer</a> finished ninth in the list, as North American clubs averaged 22,111 fans per match. Although no MLS side cracked the top 10, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/teams/atlanta-united-tv-schedule-for-fans-of-the-five-stripes/">Atlanta United</a> grabbed the top attendance spot in the league by averaging 47,526 fans each game. This is good enough for 31st in the club rankings. It, however, must be noted that MLS counts its attendances as <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/are-mls-reported-attendance-numbers-a-game-of-smoke-and-mirrors-20151223-CMS-155077.html">tickets distributed</a> instead of actual fans in the seats.



Top 10 soccer league attendance rankings:



1. Bundesliga – 42,997 (Germany) 2. Premier League – 40,236 (England) 3. Serie A – 29,551 (Italy) 4. La Liga – 29,488 (Spain) 5. Primera División – 27,293 (Argentina) 6. Brasileiro Série A – 25,544 (Brazil) 7. Ligue 1 – 23,803 (France) 8. 2. Bundesliga – 22,183 (Germany) 9. Major League Soccer – 22,111 (United States) 10. Liga MX – 21,007 (Mexico)



Top 10 soccer club attendance rankings:



1. Barcelona – 83,415 (Spain) 2. River Plate – 81,853 (Argentina) 3. Borussia Dortmund – 81,228 (Germany) 4. Bayern Munich – 75,000 (Germany) 5. Manchester United – 73,671 (England) 6. Inter Milan – 72,630 (Italy) 7. AC Milan – 71,828 (Italy) 8. Olympique de Marseille – 62,739 (France) 9. West Ham United – 62,462 (England) 10. AS Roma – 62,043 (Italy)



Photo credits: IMAGO / Revierfoto : IMAGO / NurPhoto

Top 10 soccer leagues with best attendances

Usual European powerhouses dominated the annual list of crowd attendances among world soccer leagues in 2023

Top 10 soccer leagues with best attendances - World Soccer Talk

Attendance is one of the most significant metrics used to gauge the growth of soccer in the United States. Bigger crowds mean more eyeballs and more money. That, in theory, leads back to more sizeable crowds until it becomes a self-sustaining cycle. 



In 2023, it was a remarkable year for many reasons, namely the introduction of Lionel Messi to our shores.



Here are the top 25 largest soccer crowds in the US during 2023:



<h2>Largest soccer crowds in the United States in 2023</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Date</td><td>Event</td><td>Match-Up</td><td>Stadium</td><td>Attendance</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 15</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Chivas vs. Club America</td><td>Rose Bowl</td><td>86,134</td></tr><tr><td>July 22</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Manchester United vs. Arsenal</td><td>MetLife Stadium</td><td>82,262</td></tr><tr><td>July 4</td><td>MLS</td><td>LA Galaxy vs. LAFC</td><td>Rose Bowl</td><td>82,110</td></tr><tr><td>July 29</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Barcelona vs. Real Madrid</td><td>AT&amp;T Stadium</td><td>82,026</td></tr><tr><td>July 16</td><td>Gold Cup</td><td>Mexico vs. Panama</td><td>SoFi Stadium</td><td>72,963</td></tr><tr><td>Sept. 16</td><td>MLS</td><td>Atlanta United vs. Inter Miami</td><td>Mercedes-Benz Stadium</td><td>71,635</td></tr><tr><td>July 23</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Real Madrid vs. AC Milan</td><td>Rose Bowl</td><td>70,814</td></tr><tr><td>July 26</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Chelsea vs. Newcastle &amp; Brentford vs. Brighton</td><td>Mercedes-Benz Stadium</td><td>70,789</td></tr><tr><td>July 26</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Arsenal vs. Barcelona</td><td>SoFi Stadium</td><td>70,223</td></tr><tr><td>Feb. 25</td><td>MLS</td><td>Charlotte FC vs. New England Revolution</td><td>Bank of America Stadium</td><td>69,345</td></tr><tr><td>July 26</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Real Madrid vs. Manchester United</td><td>NRG Stadium</td><td>67,801</td></tr><tr><td>Feb. 25</td><td>MLS</td><td>Atlanta United vs. San Jose Earthquakes</td><td>Mercedes-Benz Stadium</td><td>67,538</td></tr><tr><td>Aug. 26</td><td>MLS</td><td>Atlanta United vs. Nashville SC</td><td>Mercedes-Benz Stadium</td><td>67,514</td></tr><tr><td>June 25</td><td>Gold Cup</td><td>Mexico vs. Honduras &amp; Haiti vs. Qatar</td><td>NRG Stadium</td><td>66,255</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 21</td><td>MLS</td><td>Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami</td><td>Bank of America Stadium</td><td>66,101</td></tr><tr><td>July 22</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Chelsea vs. Brighton</td><td>Lincoln Financial Field</td><td>65,128</td></tr><tr><td>June 15</td><td>Nations League</td><td>USA vs. Mexico &amp; Canada vs. Panama</td><td>Allegiant Stadium</td><td>65,000</td></tr><tr><td>Dec. 16</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Mexico vs. Colombia</td><td>LA Coliseum</td><td>64,609</td></tr><tr><td>Aug. 2</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Juventus vs. Real Madrid</td><td>Camping World Stadium</td><td>63,503</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 17</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Mexico vs. Germany</td><td>Lincoln Financial Field</td><td>62,284</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 4</td><td>MLS</td><td>Chicago Fire vs. Inter Miami</td><td>Soldier Field</td><td>62,124</td></tr><tr><td>Oct. 14</td><td>Friendly</td><td>Mexico vs. Ghana</td><td>Bank of America Stadium</td><td>60,963</td></tr><tr><td>July 8</td><td>Gold Cup</td><td>Mexico vs. Costa Rica &amp; Panama vs. Qatar</td><td>AT&amp;T Stadium</td><td>60,355</td></tr><tr><td>July 2</td><td>Gold Cup</td><td>Qatar vs. Mexico &amp; Jamaica vs. St. Kitts &amp; Nevis</td><td>Levi’s Stadium</td><td>60,347</td></tr><tr><td>April 19</td><td>Friendly</td><td>USA vs. Mexico</td><td>State Farm Stadium</td><td>55,730</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2>Messi-mania plays a part</h2>



All told, there were 54 games played in the US in 2023 that drew over 40,000 people. That number is up from 38 such games last year. And it is also up compared to 2021 when there were only 28 such games. The crowds can be broken down as follows:



<ul><li>26 crowds in the 40,000’s</li><li>4 crowds in the 50,000’s</li><li>15 crowds in the 60,000’s</li><li>5 crowds in the 70,000’s</li><li>4 crowds in the 80,000’s</li></ul>



Messi making the move to MLS and signing with Inter Miami might have been the biggest soccer story in America in years. His arrival certainly helped boost the number of games in the largest soccer crowds in the US. 



Of the 25 games on this list, seven of them are MLS games. Of those seven MLS games, three of them were Inter Miami games. Those games were on the road given DRV PNK Stadium’s capacity is 18,000.



<h2>European clubs continue to draw well</h2>



It has long been the case that European clubs are always well-represented in the largest soccer crowds in the US. This year was no different. 



Eight of the games on this list saw two European clubs <a href="https://www.soccerchampionstour.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">square off against each other</a>. Additionally, a number of the biggest clubs in the world took part in these games: Manchester United and Arsenal from England, Barcelona and Real Madrid from Spain and Juventus from Italy. 



<h2>Where are the US national teams?</h2>



US fans have been frustrated with the poor attendance for several years now. Last year, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/top-20-biggest-soccer-attendances-in-usa-during-2022-20221231-WST-413598.html">neither the USMNT nor the USWNT made the list</a> of the largest soccer crowds in the US. 



In 2023, the USWNT did not feature in the largest soccer crowds in the United States once again. The side had its worst-ever performance at a Women’s World Cup with elimination in the round of 16. Consequently, the side did not have a victory tour.



The USMNT saw its attendance improve in 2023 but they were only able to land multiple games on this list <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usmnt-2023-attendance-best-since-2017-thanks-to-mexico-20231121-WST-471061.html">because they played Mexico twice in NFL venues</a>. 



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><figure class="image"><img loading="lazy" width="1200" height="675" src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/full/WST_20231220_WST_478497_America-Chivas-crowd-1200x675_b4105935.webp&amp;width=1200&amp;height=675" alt="" class="wp-image-478564" srcset="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/America-Chivas-crowd-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/America-Chivas-crowd-300x169.jpg 300w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/America-Chivas-crowd-768x432.jpg 768w, https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/12/America-Chivas-crowd.jpg 1280w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px"></figure></figure>



<h2>Mexico fans make their presence felt</h2>



Mexico national team games always draw huge crowds. Just this year, the average attendance for El Tri games was <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/2023-mexico-attendance-in-us-77-higher-than-usmnt-20231219-WST-478096.html">77% higher than the USMNT’s</a> attendance<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/2023-mexico-attendance-in-us-77-higher-than-usmnt-20231219-WST-478096.html">.</a>



This year, only three of Mexico’s stateside games failed to make the largest soccer crowds in the US. Each of those three still drew over 30,000. 



But, also worth noting, the largest soccer crowd of the year was not a Mexican national team game but a Mexican club game. Chivas played Club America at the Rose Bowl in October and drew the largest soccer crowd of the year in the US. 



<h2>The next five years could see explosive crowd growth</h2>



It feels almost like a broken record at this point, but the next five years of soccer in the United States could finally be what <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/will-soccer-make-it-or-break-it-in-usa-between-2024-and-2028-20231219-WST-476085.html">gets soccer on par</a> with the other American sports leagues.



The year 2024 will see the Copa America played in the US. That means Argentina and Messi, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, the US and Mexico. In 2025, the newly expanded <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/does-anyone-care-about-the-fifa-club-world-cup-20231215-WST-477204.html">Club World Cup takes place in the US</a>. American soccer fans can see big-time clubs from around the world in real, competitive games. Finally, 2026 is the big one. The United States, Canada, and Mexico are jointly hosting the World Cup in that year.



In 2027, there is a possibility that the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/recommended-us-venues-to-co-host-the-2027-womens-world-cup-20230816-WST-450107.html">US will co-host the Women’s World Cup</a> (along with Mexico). Rounding out a busy set of years, the 2028 Summer Olympics are in Los Angeles. While it may not bring every major name in the men’s or women’s game, it does signify more high-level soccer.



With all of those events coming here, the list of the largest soccer crowds in the US only figures to get longer and larger. 



PHOTOS: IMAGO

Most-attended soccer games in the United States during 2023

With the year drawing to a close, it's time to look back at the top 25 most-attended soccer games in the United States in 2023.

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Attendance

Top 10 soccer leagues with best attendances

Attendance

Most-attended soccer games in the United States during 2023