
<p>The Women’s World Cup is nearly here.  For the teams that qualified, it is the culmination of a four year cycle.  And since it’s the end of the cycle, it’s time to look back and see what the USWNT attendance was from 2019 to 2023.  </p>



<p>Unfortunately, the USWNT attendance dropped 6% during the 2015-2019 period.  From 2015 to 2019, the average attendance was 18,145 over the course of 69 games.  For the current cycle (2019-2023), the average dropped down to 16,975 over 46 games.  </p>



<p>Here’s how the crowds break down:  </p>



<h2><strong>2019 Friendlies</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date</strong></td><td><strong>Match-Up</strong></td><td><strong>Stadium</strong></td><td><strong>Attendance</strong></td></tr><tr><td>8/3/19</td><td>USA vs. Republic of Ireland</td><td>Rose Bowl</td><td>37,040</td></tr><tr><td>8/29/19</td><td>USA vs. Portugal</td><td>Lincoln Financial Field</td><td>49,504</td></tr><tr><td>9/3/19</td><td>USA vs. Portugal</td><td>Allianz Field</td><td>19,600</td></tr><tr><td>10/3/19</td><td>USA vs. South Korea</td><td>Bank of America Stadium</td><td>30,071</td></tr><tr><td>10/6/19</td><td>USA vs. South Korea</td><td>Soldier Field</td><td>33,027</td></tr><tr><td>11/7/19</td><td>USA vs. Sweden</td><td>Historic Crew Stadium</td><td>20,903</td></tr><tr><td>11/10/19</td><td>USA vs. Costa Rica</td><td>TIAA Bank Field</td><td>12,914</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>The friendlies immediately following the Women’s World Cup in France were immensely successful.  This Victory Tour was even more successful than the one after the 2015 Women’s World Cup.  Average attendance for these seven friendly games was 29,008.  The 49,504 against Portugal was also the largest home crowd for a USWNT game since the 1999 Women’s World Cup Final.  </p>



<h2><strong>Olympic Qualifying</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date</strong></td><td><strong>Match-Up</strong></td><td><strong>Stadium</strong></td><td><strong>Attendance</strong></td></tr><tr><td>1/28/20</td><td>USA vs. Haiti</td><td>Shell Energy Stadium</td><td>4,363</td></tr><tr><td>1/31/20</td><td>USA vs. Panama</td><td>Shell Energy Stadium</td><td>14,121</td></tr><tr><td>2/3/20</td><td>USA vs. Costa Rica</td><td>Shell Energy Stadium</td><td>7,082</td></tr><tr><td>2/7/20</td><td>USA vs. Mexico</td><td>Dignity Health Sports Park</td><td>11,292</td></tr><tr><td>2/9/20</td><td>USA vs. Canada</td><td>Dignity Health Sports Park</td><td>17,489</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>Attendance at the Olympic Qualifying Tournament was much lower than it was for the friendlies at the end of 2019.  Perhaps the biggest reason for this is CONCACAF’s decision to limit the number of venues.  Crowds are always smaller, on average, when fans in a city can choose between three games in a week rather than once a year.  Average attendance for the five Olympic qualifiers was 10,869.</p>



<h2><strong>2020 She Believes Cup</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date</strong></td><td><strong>Match-Up</strong></td><td><strong>Stadium</strong></td><td><strong>Attendance</strong></td></tr><tr><td>3/5/20</td><td>USA vs. England</td><td>Exploria  Stadium</td><td>16,531</td></tr><tr><td>3/8/20</td><td>USA vs. Spain</td><td>Red Bull Arena</td><td>26,500</td></tr><tr><td>3/11/20</td><td>USA vs. Japan</td><td>Toyota Stadium</td><td>19,096</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>While some can knock the nature of the She Believes Cup as a series of glorified friendlies, what can’t be knocked is the crowds that these games draw.  Despite it being mostly the same cast of characters in the same half dozen stadiums (a <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/30/usmnt-top-20-overlooked-cities/">common trend with US Soccer</a>) the She Believes Cup games usually sell out or come close to it.  2020’s edition of the tournament drew an average of 20,709 right before COVID shut down the world.</p>



<h2><strong>2021 Friendlies</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date</strong></td><td><strong>Match-Up</strong></td><td><strong>Stadium</strong></td><td><strong>Attendance</strong></td></tr><tr><td>1/18/21</td><td>USA vs. Colombia</td><td>Exploria Stadium</td><td>2,042</td></tr><tr><td>1/22/21</td><td>USA vs. Colombia</td><td>Exploria Stadium</td><td>3,202</td></tr><tr><td>6/10/21</td><td>USA vs. Portugal</td><td>Shell Energy Stadium</td><td>9,951</td></tr><tr><td>6/13/21</td><td>USA vs. Jamaica</td><td>Shell Energy Stadium</td><td>8,737</td></tr><tr><td>6/16/21</td><td>USA vs. Nigeria</td><td>Q2 Stadium</td><td>20,500</td></tr><tr><td>7/1/21</td><td>USA vs. Mexico</td><td>Pratt &amp; Whitney Stadium</td><td>21,637</td></tr><tr><td>7/5/21</td><td>USA vs. Mexico</td><td>Pratt &amp; Whitney Stadium</td><td>27,758</td></tr><tr><td>9/16/21</td><td>USA vs. Paraguay</td><td>FirstEnergy Stadium</td><td>14,117</td></tr><tr><td>9/21/21</td><td>USA vs. Paraguay</td><td>TQL Stadium</td><td>22,515</td></tr><tr><td>10/21/21</td><td>USA vs. South Korea</td><td>Children’s Mercy Park</td><td>18,467</td></tr><tr><td>10/26/21</td><td>USA vs. South Korea</td><td>Allianz Field</td><td>18,115</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>Attendance for friendlies in 2021 was noticeably lower in 2021 than it was in 2019.  However, there is a fairly reasonable explanation.  The first four friendlies in 2021 were played at a time when many cities still had capacity restrictions for sporting events.  But overall the average attendance for the eleven USWNT friendlies in 2021 was 15,186.  </p>



<h2><strong>2021 She Believes Cup</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date</strong></td><td><strong>Match-Up</strong></td><td><strong>Stadium</strong></td><td><strong>Attendance</strong></td></tr><tr><td>2/18/21</td><td>USA vs. Canada</td><td>Exploria Stadium</td><td>3,104</td></tr><tr><td>2/21/21</td><td>USA vs. Brazil</td><td>Exploria Stadium</td><td>4,000</td></tr><tr><td>2/24/21</td><td>USA vs. Argentina</td><td>Exploria Stadium</td><td>3,702</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>The situation for the 2021 She Believes Cup was very much the same as it was for the first few friendlies that year in regards to capacity restrictions.  There was also the additional quirk of all three games being in the same stadium (which we’ve already seen typically causes smaller crowds).  As such, the average attendance for these three games was a mere 3,602.</p>



<h2><strong>2022 She Believes Cup</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date</strong></td><td><strong>Match-Up</strong></td><td><strong>Stadium</strong></td><td><strong>Attendance</strong></td></tr><tr><td>2/17/22</td><td>USA vs. Czech Republic</td><td>Dignity Health Sports Park</td><td>7,333</td></tr><tr><td>2/20/22</td><td>USA vs. New Zealand</td><td>Dignity Health Sports Park</td><td>16,587</td></tr><tr><td>2/23/22</td><td>USA vs. Iceland</td><td>Toyota Stadium</td><td>7,444</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>The crowds for this version of the She Believes Cup were, somewhat surprisingly, not all that great.  Yes, two of the three games were played in the same venue, but one would have expected a boost following the strong showings after capacity restrictions were lifted in the second half of the prior year.  Average for these three games was 10,455.</p>



<h2><strong>2022 Friendlies</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date</strong></td><td><strong>Match-Up</strong></td><td><strong>Stadium</strong></td><td><strong>Attendance</strong></td></tr><tr><td>4/9/22</td><td>USA vs. Uzbekistan</td><td>Lower.com Field</td><td>12,071</td></tr><tr><td>4/12/22</td><td>USA vs. Uzbekistan</td><td>Subaru Park</td><td>11,373</td></tr><tr><td>6/25/22</td><td>USA vs. Colombia</td><td>Dick’s Sporting Goods Park</td><td>17,143</td></tr><tr><td>6/28/22</td><td>USA vs. Colombia</td><td>America First Field</td><td>16,077</td></tr><tr><td>9/3/22</td><td>USA vs. Nigeria</td><td>Children’s Mercy Park</td><td>14,502</td></tr><tr><td>9/6/22</td><td>USA vs. Nigeria</td><td>Audi Field</td><td>18,869</td></tr><tr><td>11/10/22</td><td>USA vs. Germany</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td><td>16,917</td></tr><tr><td>11/13/22</td><td>USA vs. Germany</td><td>Red Bull Arena</td><td>26,317</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>The USWNT friendlies in 2022 tell a much better tale than the She Believes Cup.  The eight friendly games drew an average of 16,659.  The biggest crowds were for the biggest names while the two smallest crowds were for the smallest name in Uzbekistan, who the USMNT will also be playing in September.  </p>



<h2><strong>2023 She Believes Cup</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date</strong></td><td><strong>Match-Up</strong></td><td><strong>Stadium</strong></td><td><strong>Attendance</strong></td></tr><tr><td>2/16/23</td><td>USA vs. Canada</td><td>Exploria Stadium</td><td>14,697</td></tr><tr><td>2/19/23</td><td>USA vs. Japan</td><td>Geodis Park</td><td>25,471</td></tr><tr><td>2/22/23</td><td>USA vs. Brazil</td><td>Toyota Stadium</td><td>17,784</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>The 2023 She Believes Cup saw the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/usa-defeat-japan-in-shebelieves-cup-with-swanson-goal-20230219-WST-420550.html">USWNT return to Nashville</a> (where they had played in previous editions of the tournament against France in 2016 and against England in 2019).  But this time was the first ever international game at the brand new Geodis Park, home of Nashville SC in MLS.  The average attendance for the three games was 19,317, the best since the 2020 tournament</p>



<h2><strong>2023 Friendlies</strong></h2>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date</strong></td><td><strong>Match-Up</strong></td><td><strong>Stadium</strong></td><td><strong>Attendance</strong></td></tr><tr><td>4/8/23</td><td>USA vs. Republic of Ireland</td><td>Q2 Stadium</td><td>20,593</td></tr><tr><td>4/11/23</td><td>USA vs. Republic of Ireland</td><td>CityPark</td><td>22,294</td></tr><tr><td>7/9/23</td><td>USA vs. Wales</td><td>PayPal Park</td><td>18,000</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<p>And it’s not a surprise that the last three friendlies the USWNT played before heading off to New Zealand were all stone cold sellouts.  While they didn’t get a true send-off series, these three games still showed tremendous support.  Three games in MLS stadiums, three sellouts: average attendance – 20,296.  </p>



<h2><strong>Takeaways</strong></h2>



<p>So despite the USWNT attendance being down over the course of the four years cycle, there are still some positives.  First, it seems unlikely that there will be another pandemic that shuts everything down any time in the near future.  Second is that the US are favorites to three-peat down under, which would lead to another successful Victory Tour. </p>



<p>And lastly, there is a possibility that <a href="https://www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/u-s-soccer-to-officially-bid-for-2027-womens-world-cup-alongside-mexican-football-federation/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">the next Women’s World Cup could be played in the US</a>.  If that happens, it would not only usher in the greatest opportunity for soccer growth in American soccer history (c<a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/07/world-cups-and-olympics-present-historic-opportunity-for-u-s/">ombined with the World Cup here in 2016 and Olympic soccer in LA in 2028</a>) but it would also serve to boost WNT attendance even further.   </p>


As the USWNT gets ready for the Women's World Cup, we look at their attendance over the course of the last four year cycle.

USWNT attendance down 6% during 2019-2023 cycle - World Soccer Talk

USWNT attendance down 6% during 2019-2023  cycle

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<p>While the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/tv/uswnt-tv-ratings-down-10-from-2021-20221225-WST-413143.html">USWNT’s TV ratings may have dropped 10% in 2022</a>, that was not the case with their attendance.  USWNT attendance in 2022 was up compared to 2021.  In fact, it was their best year in the stands since 2019.  And that does include 2020, when they were able to play 8 home games prior to the worldwide COVID shutdown.  </p>



<h2>2022 USWNT attendance</h2>



<p>Here’s how the crowds break down:</p>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Date</strong></td><td><strong>Competition</strong></td><td><strong>Match-Up</strong></td><td><strong>Stadium</strong></td><td><strong>Attendance</strong></td></tr><tr><td>February 17</td><td>She Believes Cup</td><td>USA vs. Czech Republic</td><td>Dignity Health Sports Park</td><td>7,333</td></tr><tr><td>February 20</td><td>She Believes Cup</td><td>USA vs. New Zealand</td><td>Dignity Health Sports Park</td><td>16,587</td></tr><tr><td>February 23</td><td>She Believes Cup</td><td>USA vs. Iceland</td><td>Toyota Stadium</td><td>7,444</td></tr><tr><td>April 9</td><td>Friendly</td><td>USA vs. Uzbekistan</td><td>Lower.com Field</td><td>12,071</td></tr><tr><td>April 12</td><td>Friendly</td><td>USA vs. Uzbekistan</td><td>Subaru Park</td><td>11,373</td></tr><tr><td>June 25</td><td>Friendly</td><td>USA vs. Colombia</td><td>Dick’s Sporting Goods Park</td><td>17,143</td></tr><tr><td>June 28</td><td>Friendly</td><td>USA vs. Colombia</td><td>America First Field</td><td>16,077</td></tr><tr><td>September 3</td><td>Friendly</td><td>USA vs. Nigeria</td><td>Children’s Mercy Park</td><td>14,502</td></tr><tr><td>September 6</td><td>Friendly</td><td>USA vs. Nigeria</td><td>Audi Field</td><td>18,869</td></tr><tr><td>November 10</td><td>Friendly</td><td>USA vs. Germany</td><td>DRV PNK Stadium</td><td>16,917</td></tr><tr><td>November 13</td><td>Friendly</td><td>USA vs. Germany</td><td>Red Bull Arena</td><td>26,317</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



<h2>Best attendance since 2019</h2>



<p>In 2022, the USWNT totaled 164,633 fans over the course of eleven games.  That averages 14,967 fans per game.  That’s the highest since 2019 when, coming off a Women’s World Cup title, they totaled 376,834 fans over 15 home games for an average of 25,122 per game.  </p>



<p>USWNT attendance in 2022 was also up 18% from 2021, when they averaged 12,703 per game through 14 home games.  However, it is surprisingly still 30% lower than what the <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/news/usmnt-attendance-in-2022-worst-since-2006-20230103-WST-414114.html">USMNT averaged this year, their worst attendance since 2006.</a>  But perhaps more importantly, it is higher than at the same stage in the previous cycle when they averaged 14,064 per game in 2018.</p>



<h2>Location variety</h2>



<p>While it’s been well documented how US Soccer has the USMNT play all their games in the same few select stadiums, that has not been an issue of late for the USWNT.  In 2022 they only played in one stadium that they made an appearance at in 2021.  That was Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City.  Furthermore, only two of the stadiums they played at in 2022 were used in 2020: Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, CA and Red Bull Arena in the New York area.  That means that seven of the eleven games played by the USWNT were played in venues where they made not made an appearance in several years.  </p>



<h2>Women’s World Cup</h2>



<p>Much like the USMNT sees an attendance bump in the year following the World Cup, the USWNT usually sees their bump the year of the Women’s World Cup.  2011 saw a 100% increase from 2010, up to 11,645 from 5,784.  The jump in 2015 was even greater as it rose a staggering 157% from 10,791 up to 27,766.  And in 2019 it was more of the same as the increase was 79% from 14,064 in 2018 to 25,122 the next year.  </p>



<p>Next year’s <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/">Women’s World Cup</a> is in Australia and New Zealand.  If they accomplish the three-peat, there’s no telling how big the crowds will be when they have their victory tour.  </p>


With preparations ramping up for the Women's World Cup next summer, the 2022 USWNT attendance was the best average since 2019.

2022 USWNT attendance best since 2019 - World Soccer Talk

2022 USWNT attendance best since 2019

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<div id="attachment_363501" style="width: 1210px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><div><figure class="image"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-363501" class="wp-caption-text">Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images</p></div>
<p>This year brought many things to celebrate for the US Men’s National Team. The same cannot be said for the US Women’s National Team.</p>
<p>On one hand, the men’s side pulled in its <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/12/23/usmnt-annual-attendance-show-8-increase-since-2019/">highest audience in recent years</a> while lifting the CONCACAF Nations League and Gold Cup. Contrarily, the USWNT failed to even <a href="https:\/\/worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2021/08/05/rapinoe-lloyd-doubles-secure-usa-amazing-bronze-at-olympics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reach the gold medal game</a> at the Olympics for the second consecutive Games. Additionally, the attendance at home left much to be desired.</p>
<p>Some of the factors that led to the poor attendance were outside of their control. For example, repeated use of the same venues took away some of the grandeur. Similarly, COVID-19 restrictions on capacity limited attendance numbers, especially early in the year.</p>
<p>However, failing to win the gold medal in Tokyo prevented the USWNT from being going on a <a href="https:\/\/www.ussoccer.com/stories/2019/08/victory-tour-2019-uswnt-vs-portugal-preview-roster-schedule-tv-channels-start-time" target="_blank" rel="noopener">long victory tour</a>. That is something they did after lifting the Women’s World Cup in 2015 and 2019.</p>
<p>Here’s how the USWNT attendance in 2021 panned out.</p>
<h3>USWNT attendance in 2021</h3>
<table class="tableizer-table">
<thead>
<tr class="tableizer-firstrow">
<th>Date</th>
<th>Competition</th>
<th>Opponent</th>
<th>Stadium</th>
<th>City</th>
<th>Attendance</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>January 18</td>
<td>Friendly</td>
<td>Colombia</td>
<td>Exploria Stadium</td>
<td>Orlando, FL</td>
<td>2,042</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>January 22</td>
<td>Friendly</td>
<td>Colombia</td>
<td>Exploria Stadium</td>
<td>Orlando, FL</td>
<td>3,202</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>February 18</td>
<td>She Believes Cup</td>
<td>Canada</td>
<td>Exploria Stadium</td>
<td>Orlando, FL</td>
<td>3,104</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>February 21</td>
<td>She Believes Cup</td>
<td>Brazil</td>
<td>Exploria Stadium</td>
<td>Orlando, FL</td>
<td>4,000</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>February 24</td>
<td>She Believes Cup</td>
<td>Argentina</td>
<td>Exploria Stadium</td>
<td>Orlando, FL</td>
<td>3,702</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 10</td>
<td>Friendly</td>
<td>Portugal</td>
<td>BBVA Stadium</td>
<td>Houston, TX</td>
<td>9,951</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 13</td>
<td>Friendly</td>
<td>Jamaica</td>
<td>BBVA Stadium</td>
<td>Houston, TX</td>
<td>8,737</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>June 16</td>
<td>Friendly</td>
<td>Nigeria</td>
<td>Q2 Stadium</td>
<td>Austin, TX</td>
<td>20,500</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>July 1</td>
<td>Friendly</td>
<td>Mexico</td>
<td>Pratt and Whitney Stadium</td>
<td>East Hartford, CT</td>
<td>21,637</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>July 5</td>
<td>Friendly</td>
<td>Mexico</td>
<td>Pratt and Whitney Stadium</td>
<td>East Hartford, CT</td>
<td>27,758</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>September 16</td>
<td>Friendly</td>
<td>Paraguay</td>
<td>FirstEnergy Stadium</td>
<td>Cleveland, OH</td>
<td>14,117</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>September 21</td>
<td>Friendly</td>
<td>Paraguay</td>
<td>TQL Stadium</td>
<td>Cincinnati, OH</td>
<td>22,515</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>October 21</td>
<td>Friendly</td>
<td>South Korea</td>
<td>Children’s Mercy Park</td>
<td>Kansas City, KS</td>
<td>18,467</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>October 26</td>
<td>Friendly</td>
<td>South Korea</td>
<td>Allianz Field</td>
<td>Saint Paul, MN</td>
<td>18,115</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>TOTAL: 177,847</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td>AVERAGE: 12,703</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>The 14-game average of 12,703 for the USWNT in 2021 marks their lowest average attendance since 2014 when they drew 10,791 through 15 games. That average represents a 13% drop from 2020 when the four-time World Cup Winners averaged 14,559. The USWNT attendance in 2020 benefitted from eight home games prior to COVID shutdowns. Moreover, the USWNT attendance in 2021 shows a drop of an eye-popping 49% from 2019. That year, the World Cup Winners pulled 25,122 per game. That was also the last year with a full slate of home games.</p>
<h5>Standout numbers</h5>
<p>One of the biggest things that stands out is first seven games of the year all drawing fewer than 10,000 fans per game. The reason is probably two-fold. First, similar to the Gold Cup group stage for the MNT this year, multiple games being played in the same stadium over the course of a few days is usually going to hurt the attendance for several of those games. Furthermore, games that were played in January and February were still subject to COVID capacity restrictions. And, as mentioned earlier, the lack of a gold medal victory tour in the late summer and early fall caused US Soccer to miss out on</p>
<p>Despite the overall depressing tone of the attendance for the USWNT this year, there were still one or two bright spots. Selling out the brand new Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas was certainly a positive as was drawing a large crowd for the first international game at the brand new TQL Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. With qualification for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia set to take place in July of 2022, hopes are high that bigger crowds will come back to see the USWNT play in meaningful matches.</p>


USWNT attendance in 2021 did not benefit from COVID restrictions. A relative lack of success for the World Champions hampered that as well.

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USWNT attendance down 6% during 2019-2023 cycle

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