The content provides information about the MLS stadiums with the highest average attendance for the 2023 season. The top five stadiums are Saputo Stadium, BMO Field, Providence Park, Dignity Health Sports Park, and CITYPARK. The article also highlights some of the challenges that teams are facing with poor attendance numbers, including the Vancouver Whitecaps, San Jose Earthquakes, and Chicago Fire. Additionally, it mentions the potential for teams to improve their attendance rankings, such as Austin FC and Inter Miami with the possible addition of Lionel Messi. Finally, the article notes the importance of home support for teams, particularly for Minnesota United, who have made the playoffs in every season apart from their first, and Orlando City, who have had some of the best crowd support over the last few years.
MLS is expected to achieve growth in match attendees in 2023 due to the addition of another expansion team and a new streaming rights deal. The average number of fans per match in MLS stadiums has surpassed the 20,000 threshold; however, the attendance figures differ significantly across various venues. Atlanta United has consistently led MLS in attendance, drawing in over 50,000 fans per game, while the Chicago Fire has had trouble filling the stands of Soldier Field.
Atlanta United, the commercial success story of MLS expansion, tops the ranking of average attendance in MLS so far. The team shares the Mercedes-Benz Stadium with their co-inhabitants. Despite a poor start to their season, Charlotte FC still ranks second in attendance, thanks to their ownership strategy, which is based on owning an interest in the entire local sports industry rather than just one team. Bank of America Stadium, the home of Charlotte FC, has an average attendance of 50,442.
Lumen Field has long been considered one of the best atmospheres in MLS, with the Seattle Sounders always popular in their community. The club has remained unbeaten at home this year with two dominant wins and a draw. Lumen Field’s average attendance is 30,856.
Nashville SC, a newcomer to MLS, joined the league in 2020 and made the playoffs in the same year. The club is expected to aim for the playoffs again this season. Geodis Park, the stadium where Nashville SC plays its home games, has an average attendance of 27,005.
Cincinnati has emerged as one of the most soccer-loving cities in the US in recent years, backed by the club boasting one of the highest seat-filling percentages in MLS. TQL Stadium, where Cincinnati plays its home games, has an average attendance of 25,513.
In conclusion, the clubs’ average attendance in MLS stadiums varies greatly by venue. Atlanta United remains at the top of the attendance ranking, followed by Charlotte FC, the Seattle Sounders, Nashville SC, and Cincinnati. If you want to watch every MLS match, including the playoffs, you can sign up for MLS Season Pass through Apple TV.
Saputo Stadium, situated at Olympic Park in Montreal, is currently the second-largest soccer stadium in Canada, with an average attendance of 23,352. Toronto FC will have the highest average MLS attendance north of the border once CF Montreal’s season opener at the Olympic Stadium is discounted over the course of the season by more home samples. The Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment-owned club has had a below-par start to their season and will be hoping for better results.
BMO Field, the home of Toronto FC, has an average attendance of 23,249, followed closely by Providence Park, where Portland Timbers play their home games. The Timbers have almost always been in the top 10 of highest attendance in MLS despite not having the largest market compared to other clubs.
Despite having dropped off from their early and mid-2010s dominance in MLS, LA Galaxy has still had one of the best home supports in the league. Dignity Health Sports Park, the home stadium of LA Galaxy, has an average attendance of 23,112.
St. Louis City SC, the newest MLS team led by Carolyn Kindle and the league’s first majority-female-owned club, has surprised everyone with its form and sits on top of the table. CITYPARK, the stadium where St. Louis City SC plays its home games, has an average attendance of 22,423.
Banc of California Stadium, where last season’s MLS Cup champions play their home games, boasts a serious following on par with LA Galaxy, with an average attendance of 22,105. New York City FC, owned by the City Football Group, is one of the most globally recognized brands outside the US, and the same is true within the country. Yankee Stadium, their home ground, has an average attendance of 20,885.
Austin FC is still in the early stages of their season, but their attendance figures are expected to improve compared to the previous season. Q2 Stadium, their home stadium, has an average attendance of 20,738.
Columbus almost lost the Crew back in 2018 before fans rallied to save the club, which was later purchased by the Haslam family. Since then, the Crew has played at Lower.com Field, a soccer-specific stadium, occupying the middle of the attendance table with an average attendance of 20,391.
Exploria Stadium, the home of Orlando City, has some of the best crowd support over the last few years, and the club will be looking to maintain their record at home, with an average attendance of 20,091. Real Salt Lake has played only one match at home so far and failed to win, with an average attendance of 20,052 at their home stadium, Rio Tinto Stadium.
In conclusion, the clubs’ average attendance in MLS stadiums varies greatly, with Toronto FC and Saputo Stadium leading the way in Canada, followed by Portland Timbers, LA Galaxy, and St. Louis City SC. Other clubs such as Columbus, Orlando City, and Real Salt Lake occupy the middle of the attendance table.
MLS Attendance 2023: Ranking the Average Number of Fans for Every Club’s Stadium, Including the Most Supported American Team
Major League Soccer (MLS) is expected to experience a growth in total match attendees in 2023 after the addition of another expansion team and the signing of a new streaming rights deal. MLS stadiums now have an average of over 20,000 fans per match, but the numbers vary significantly by venue. In this article, we will rank all the MLS clubs in terms of their average attendance.
Atlanta United: Kings of Attendance
As co-inhabitants of the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta United has consistently led MLS in attendance, making them one of the largest commercial success stories of MLS expansion. The Red & Blacks lead yet again in terms of average attendance in MLS so far.
Stadium Name: Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Average 2023 Attendance: 51,001 (3)
Toronto FC: Highest Average MLS Attendance in Canada
Yet again, Toronto will boast the highest average MLS attendance north of the border, once CF Montreal’s outlier season opener at the Olympic Stadium is washed out over the course of the season by more home samples. Despite a below-par start, the Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment-owned club will be hoping the results start flooding their way.
Stadium Name: BMO Field
Average Attendance: 23,249 (2)
Minnesota United: Consistent Playoff Qualifiers
Minnesota United played their inaugural MLS match in 2017 and have made the playoffs in every season apart from their first. A key has been their home support, and they will be hoping for more filled seats this campaign.
Stadium Name: Allianz Field
Average Attendance: 19,614 (1)
Houston Dynamo: Attendance in the New Era
Houston Dynamo fans have had a lot of hopes after their recent takeover by Ted Segal, but will they improve in attendance in this new era?
Stadium Name: Shell Energy Stadium
Average Attendance: 19,047 (1)
Portland Timbers: Top 10 of Highest Attendance
The Portland Timbers have almost always been in the top 10 of highest attendance in MLS despite not having the biggest market compared to the other clubs.
Stadium Name: Providence Park
Average Attendance: 23,156 (2)
LA Galaxy: Best Home Support in the League
Despite having dropped off of their early and mid-2010s dominance in MLS on the pitch, LA Galaxy has still boasted one of the best home supports in the league.
Stadium Name: Dignity Health Sports Park
Average Attendance: 23,112 (1)
St. Louis City SC: Leading the Table
The newest MLS team, St. Louis City SC, is led by Carolyn Kindle and is the league’s first majority-female-owned club. The club has surprised everyone with its form and sits on top of the table. Fan support is in a good place.
Stadium Name: CITYPARK
Average Attendance: 22,423 (2)
FC Dallas: Exciting Offensive Play
FC Dallas boasts some of the best and most exciting offensive play in MLS and fill Toyota Stadium to near capacity on a regular basis.
Stadium Name: Toyota Stadium
Average Attendance: 18,823 (3)
Sporting KC: Consistent Fans
Sporting KC are another group with stadium capacity limitations, but fans regularly show up and fill the seats that do exist.
Stadium Name: Children’s Mercy Park
Average Attendance: 18,612 (1)
Philadelphia Union: Model for Youth Player Growth
The Union have become a model for helping youth players grow into first-team stalwarts – a key reason for
Low Attendance Figures at Gillette and DSK Parks
Despite a hopeful start to their 2023 campaign, the New England Revolution have suffered a dip in attendance at Gillette Stadium, with just over 14,000 fans on average attending matches. Similarly, the Colorado Rapids have seen a significant decrease in attendance at DSK Park, with an average of 13,746 fans attending games. These figures are lower than the league average, and both clubs will need to address this issue to improve their financial stability and competitiveness on the field.
Struggles for Chicago Fire at Soldier Field
The Chicago Fire has faced a difficult time in recent years, failing to make the playoffs except for once in the last ten years. This has resulted in poor attendance numbers and on-field performance, which hasn’t helped their cause to construct their own stadium. Currently, they are playing at Soldier Field, the longtime home of the NFL’s Chicago Bears, with an average attendance of 13,743 fans.
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