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National Women's Soccer League attendance

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Fans celebrating after a goal in Portland, Oregon.
The Portland Thorns' average regular-season attendance in 2019 was 20,098 fans.

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top-tier professional women's soccer league in the United States. It has the highest average attendance of any professional women's sports league in the United States, surpassing the Women's National Basketball Association and Professional Women's Hockey League.[citation needed] During the 2024 season, the NWSL reached a total attendance of over 2 million spectators for the first time in the league's history.[1] The single-match attendance record of 35,038 spectators was set by the Chicago Red Stars and Bay FC on June 8, 2024, at Wrigley Field in Chicago.[2]

Total regular season attendance

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Season Total gate Games Average Change High avg.[a] Team Low avg. Team Ref.
2013 375,763 88 4,270 — 13,320 Portland Thorns FC 1,664 Sky Blue FC [3]
2014 446,820 108 4,137 −3.1% 13,362 Portland Thorns FC 1,640 Sky Blue FC [4]
2015 454,100 90 5,046 21.9% 15,639 Portland Thorns FC 2,189 Sky Blue FC [5]
2016 555,775 100 5,558 10.1% 16,945 Portland Thorns FC 2,162 Sky Blue FC [6]
2017 609,960 120 5,083 −8.5% 17,653 Portland Thorns FC 1,788 FC Kansas City [7]
2018 650,564 108 6,024 18.5% 16,959 Portland Thorns FC 2,531 Sky Blue FC [8]
2019 792,409 108 7,337 21.8% 20,098 Portland Thorns FC 3,338 Sky Blue FC [9]
2021 592,074 116[b] 5,528[10] −30.5% 12,555 Portland Thorns FC 3,143 Chicago Red Stars [citation needed]
2022 1,042,063 132 7,894 42.8% 19,105 Angel City FC 4,385 Orlando Pride [10]
2023 1,366,581 131[c] 10,432 32.2% 20,718 San Diego Wave FC 4,848 Chicago Red Stars [12]
2024 2,044,848 182 11,235 14.1% 19,575 San Diego Wave FC 6,194 Houston Dash [1]
  1. ^ Green shading indicates record highs; red shading indicates record lows.
  2. ^ Portland Thorns FC did not report two matches during a period of capacity restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic safety policies: versus Louisville on June 5, and Kansas City on June 20. Two further matches (Washington at Portland on September 4, and OL Reign at Washington on September 12) were declared by the league to be forfeits against Washington due to violations of the league's COVID safety protocols and were not played.
  3. ^ The April 28, 2023, match between HOU and NC was abandoned at the 52nd minute before attendance could be reported.[11]

Attendance by team

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Season BAY BOS CHI FCKC HOU KCC LA LOU NC NJY ORL POR RGN SD UTA WAS WNY
2013[13] — 2,427 1,711 4,626 — — — — — 1,666 — 13,320 2,306 — — 3,625 4,485
2014[14] — 2,437 2,949 2,018 4,650 -- — — -- 1,656 -- 13,362 3,666 — — 3,335 3,177
2015[15] — 2,863 4,210 3,091 6,413 -- — — -- 2,189 -- 15,639 4,060 — — 4,087 2,860
2016[16] — 3,570 3,005 3,162 5,696 -- — — -- 2,162 8,785 16,945 4,602 — -- 3,782 3,868
2017[7] — 2,896 3,196 1,788 4,578 -- — — 4,389 2,613 6,186 17,653 4,037 — -- 3,491 --
2018[8] — — 4,368 — 3,896 -- — — 5,129 2,531 4,837 16,959 3,824 — 9,466 3,892 —
2019[9] — — 5,451 — 3,615 -- — — 5,875 3,338 5,565 20,098 5,213 — 10,774 6,105 —
2021[citation needed] — — 3,143 — 3,386 4,837 — 6,610 4,986 3,793 4,227 12,555 5,240 — — 4,130 —
2022[10] — — 5,863 — 5,644 7,657 19,105 6,048 4,545 4,415 4,385 15,543 6,844 8,729 — 5,955 —
2023[12] — — 4,848 — 5,857 11,353 19,756 5,999 5,384 6,293 6,005 18,918 13,610 20,718 — 10,876 —
2024[1] 13,617 — 7,156 — 6,194 11,500 19,313 6,208 6,362 8,589 8,340 18,725 8,503 19,575 10,304 13,937 —

Attendance records

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See also: Record attendances in United States club soccer

Regular season

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As of November 3, 2024
Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Venue Location Date Ref.
— OL Reign 0–2 Portland Thorns FC 42,054* Lumen Field Seattle, Washington June 3, 2023 [17]
1 Chicago Red Stars 1–2 Bay FC 35,038 Wrigley Field Chicago, Illinois June 8, 2024 [18][19]
2 OL Reign 0–0 Washington Spirit 34,130 Lumen Field Seattle, Washington October 6, 2023 [20]
3 San Diego Wave FC 1–2 Kansas City Current 32,066 Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, California March 23, 2024 [21]
4 San Diego Wave FC 1–0 Angel City FC 32,000† Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, California September 17, 2022 [22]
5 San Diego Wave FC 3–2 Chicago Red Stars 30,854 Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, California March 25, 2023 [23]
6 San Diego Wave FC 2–0 Racing Louisville FC 30,312 Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, California October 15, 2023
— OL Reign 2–1 Portland Thorns FC 27,248* Lumen Field Seattle, Washington August 29, 2021 [24][25]
7 San Diego Wave FC 1–4 North Carolina Courage 26,516 Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, California September 8, 2024 [26]
8 San Diego Wave FC 1–2 Angel City FC 25,515 Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, California June 17, 2023 [27]
9 Portland Thorns FC 2–1 North Carolina Courage 25,218† Providence Park Portland, Oregon August 11, 2019 [28]
Portland Thorns FC 2–0 OL Reign 25,218† Providence Park Portland, Oregon September 16, 2023 [29]

* indicates part of a doubleheader with other teams; not included in rank
† indicates sellout

Playoffs

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As of November 17, 2024
Rank Home team Score Away team Attendance Venue Date Stage Ref.
1 San Diego Wave FC 0–1 OL Reign 32,262 Snapdragon Stadium November 5, 2023 Semifinal [30]
2 San Diego Wave FC 2–1 (a.e.t.) Chicago Red Stars 26,215 Snapdragon Stadium October 16, 2022 Quarterfinal [31]
3 Portland Thorns FC 0–1 (a.e.t.) NJ/NY Gotham FC 25,218† Providence Park November 5, 2023 Semifinal [32]
4 OL Reign 1–2 NJ/NY Gotham FC 25,011 Snapdragon Stadium November 11, 2023 Final [33]
5 Portland Thorns FC 2–1 San Diego Wave FC 22,035 Providence Park October 23, 2022 Semifinal [34]
6 OL Reign 0–2 Kansas City Current 21,491 Lumen Field October 23, 2022 Semifinal [35]
7 Houston Dash 1–2 Kansas City Current 21,284† PNC Stadium October 16, 2022 Quarterfinal [31]
8 Portland Thorns FC* 0–3 North Carolina Courage 21,144† Providence Park September 22, 2018 Final [36][37]
9 Portland Thorns FC 3–4 Western New York Flash 20,086 Providence Park October 2, 2016 Semifinal [38]
10 Washington Spirit 3–2 NJ/NY Gotham FC 19,365† Audi Field November 16, 2024 Semifinal [39]

* indicates "home" team in predetermined venue for championship final
† indicates the match was a sellout

NWSL attendance vs. other leagues

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Vs. other North American women's professional leagues

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The following table compares the NWSL regular season average attendance against that of other professional women's sports leagues in North America.

League Year
started 		Sport Teams Games
played 		Season Attendance Ref.
Average Average vs.
prior season 		Total
National Women's Soccer League 2013 Soccer 14 182 2024 11,235 +14.1% 2,044,848 [40]
Women's National Basketball Association 1996 Basketball 12 240 2024 9,807 +48% 2,353,735 [41]
Professional Women's Hockey League 2024[a] Ice hockey 6 72 2023–24 5,448 —[b] 392,259 [42]
Liga MX Femenil 2016 Soccer 18[c] 306 2023 Clausura 2,483 +23.8% 367,442 [43]
National Pro Fastpitch 2004 Fastpitch 5 72 2015[d] 1,128 +26% ~135,360 [44]
  1. ^ The first PWHL season was billed as the 2023–24 season, but took place entirely within calendar 2024.
  2. ^ Inaugural season.
  3. ^ As the consequence of a riot, Querétaro played its first four home matches of the Clausura behind closed doors.
  4. ^ NPF had 6 teams for its 2016 & 2017 seasons, though attendance numbers for those are not available. Defunct in 2022.

Vs. other professional soccer leagues in North America

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The following table compares the NWSL regular season average attendance against the average regular season attendance for other professional soccer leagues in North America.

League Year
started 		Division Teams Matches
played 		Season Attendance Ref.
Average Average vs.
prior season 		Total
Liga MX 1943 Men's DI 18[a] 153 2023 Clausura 23,160 +12.8% 3,450,854 [43]
Major League Soccer 1996 Men's DI 28 476 2022 21,033 -1.4%[b] 10,011,578 [45]
National Women's Soccer League 2013 Women's DI 14 182 2024 11,235 +14.1% 2,044,848 [40]
USL Championship[c] 2011 Men's DII 27 472 2022 7,622 +44.5%[b] 1,983,922 [46]
Canadian Premier League 2019 Men's DI 8 112 2022 3,176 -34.7%[b] 355,696 [47]
Liga MX Femenil 2016 Women's DI 18[a] 306 2023 Clausura 2,483 +23.8% 367,442 [43]
USL League One 2019 Men's DIII 11 170 2022 2,203 +13.3%[b] 359,107 [48]
  1. ^ a b As the consequence of a riot, Querétaro played its first four home matches of the Clausura behind closed doors.
  2. ^ a b c d Compared to 2019, the last previous season unaffected by COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions.
  3. ^ Known as the United Soccer League before the 2019 season.

Vs. other worldwide women's top-division soccer leagues

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The following table compares the NWSL regular season average attendance against the regular season average attendance for a selection other top-flight soccer leagues from around the world; this list is not exhaustive.

League Year Started Nation # Teams Season Average
attendance		 Average vs.
prior season		 Total
Attendance		 Ref
National Women's Soccer League 2013 United States 14 2024 11,235 +14.1% 2,044,848 [40]
Women's Super League 2011 England 12 2023–24 7,363 +41% 971,977 [49]
Frauen-Bundesliga 1990 Germany 12 2022-23 2,718 +221% 359,428 [50]
Liga MX Femenil 2016 Mexico 18 2022-23 2,072 -16% 311,081
WE League 2021 Japan 12 2022-23 1,401 154,141
Liga F 1988 Spain 16 2022-23 1,393 +124% 334,320 [50]
A-League Women 2008 Australia 12 2022-23 1,249 +8% 126,194
Division 1 Féminine 1974 France 12 2022-23 954 +42% 126,292 [50]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Badenhausen, Kurt (November 2, 2024). "NWSL 2024 Attendance Hits Record 2 Million Fans". Sportico. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  2. ^ "Chicago Red Stars break NWSL attendance record at Wrigley Field". ESPN. June 8, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  3. ^ "Taking Attendance 8/18/2013: Final NWSL Attendance Numbers". Kenn.com. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  4. ^ Gerhke, Sarah (September 30, 2014). "NWSL: Breaking down 2014 attendance numbers, part I". Soccerwire. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  5. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (September 11, 2015). "National Women's Soccer League sees record attendance numbers in third season". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  6. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (November 16, 2016). "National Women's Soccer League once again saw rising attendance numbers in 2016". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
  7. ^ a b "2017 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
  8. ^ a b "2018 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
  9. ^ a b "2019 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  10. ^ a b c "2022 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
  11. ^ "Courage defeat Dash 1-0 in weather-shortened match". NWSL. April 28, 2023.
  12. ^ a b "2023 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  13. ^ "2013 NWSL Statistics". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  14. ^ "2014 NWSL Statistics". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  15. ^ "2015 NWSL Statistics". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  16. ^ "2016 NWSL Statistics". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
  17. ^ Evans, Jayda (June 3, 2023). "OL Reign lose to Thorns for first time since 2019 to cap soccer twinbill". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
  18. ^ Kawash, Maher (June 9, 2024). "Historic Chicago Red Stars soccer match at Wrigley Field breaks NWSL attendance record". ABC 7 Chicago. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024. The soccer match between the Chicago Red Stars and Bay FC Saturday night broke the National Women's Soccer League's attendance record, drawing in 35,038 soccer fans...
  19. ^ Melsar, Eileen (June 9, 2024). "Photos: Chicago Red Stars set NWSL attendance record at Wrigley Field". The Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024. The match drew 35,038 fans, setting a National Women's Soccer League record.
  20. ^ Anderson, Jason (October 6, 2023). "OL Reign sets standalone NWSL attendance record for Rapinoe farewell game". Pro Soccer Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  21. ^ The Associated Press (March 24, 2024). "Kansas City Current take winning ways on the road, defeat San Diego Wave FC 2-1". KSHB 41. Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024. ...in front of 32,066 fans, an NWSL home opener record.
  22. ^ "Match Recap: San Diego tops Angel City in front of capacity crowd for first win at Snapdragon Stadium". National Women's Soccer League. September 18, 2022. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  23. ^ "Late Morgan penalty helps Wave FC edge Chicago in front of over 30,000 fans in San Diego". National Women's Soccer League. March 25, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  24. ^ "Match Recap: Reign Earn Hard Fought 2–1 Win Against Portland" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 29, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
  25. ^ Evans, Jayda (August 28, 2021). "Sounders, Reign play hosts at unique doubleheader Sunday at Lumen Field". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
  26. ^ Kassouf, Jeff (September 8, 2024). "Emotional Alex Morgan exits final game early in San Diego". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
  27. ^ "Kristen McNabb Gets 1st Score, but Wave Defeated 2-1 by Angel City at Snapdragon". Times of San Diego. June 17, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  28. ^ Goldberg, Jamie (August 11, 2019). "Portland Thorns fight back to earn massive 2–1 win over North Carolina Courage in front of record-setting crowd". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
  29. ^ "Sugita, Weaver goals see Portland to Cascadia clash win over OL Reign". National Women's Soccer League. September 17, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  30. ^ Kraasovic, Tom (November 5, 2023). "Stunning goal sinks San Diego Wave's season in NWSL semifinals". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
  31. ^ a b Linehan, Meg (October 16, 2022). "KC Current, San Diego Wave FC advance to NWSL semifinals". The Athletic.
  32. ^ White, Austin (November 5, 2023). "Thorns can't get the final push in 1-0 NWSL semifinal loss to Gotham FC". Portland Tribune. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  33. ^ Krasovic, Tom (November 12, 2023). "Big -time players lead Gotham past OL Reign for NWSL championship at Snapdragon Stadium". The San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  34. ^ Schnell, Lindsay (October 23, 2022). "Portland Thorns defeat San Diego Wave in NWSL playoff after wild final minute of stoppage time". USA Today. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  35. ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
  36. ^ "Courage cap off record-setting season with NWSL Championship win". National Women's Soccer League. October 8, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  37. ^ Yang, Meg Linehan and Steph. "This week in NWSL chaos: Current, Wave make it a good day for water in the quarterfinals". The New York Times.
  38. ^ "Flash beat Thorns FC, 4–3, in extra time". National Women's Soccer League. October 2, 2016. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  39. ^ "Aubrey Kingsbury stops 3 penalties to help Washington Spirit advance to the NWSL championship". apnews.com. Associated Press. November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  40. ^ a b c NWSL (November 2, 2024). "NWSL Breaks Two Million in Regular Season Attendance for First Time in League History". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
  41. ^ "WNBA Delivers Record-Setting 2024 Season" (Press release). WNBA. September 27, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  42. ^ "Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Celebrates Historic Inaugural Regular Season" (Press release). Professional Women's Hockey League. May 8, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  43. ^ a b c "Asistencia" [Attendance]. Liga MX. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
  44. ^ "A Look Back At The NPF Year 2015". NPF. Archived from the original on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  45. ^ Kennedy, Paul (October 13, 2022). "Crowd Count: MLS attendance tops 10 million for first time". Soccer America. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  46. ^ "2022 USL Championship Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. October 17, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  47. ^ "Schedule". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  48. ^ "2022 USL League One Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. October 15, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  49. ^ "Record-breaking 2023-24 Barclays WSL season concludes" (Press release). The Football Association. June 21, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
  50. ^ a b c Baer, Bettina. "WOMEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE ATTENDANCES CONTINUE TO GROW, AS UNDERSTANDING OF FANS BUILDS ACROSS EUROPE". Two Circles. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
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