The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top-tier professional women's soccer league in the United States.
![Fans celebrating after a goal in Portland, Oregon.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/69/Thorns%2C_Oct._2016_-_8.jpg/280px-Thorns%2C_Oct._2016_-_8.jpg)
Total attendance
editSeason | 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 | [1] |
2014 | 446,820 | 108 | 4,137 | −3.1% | 13,362 | Portland Thorns FC | 1,640 | Sky Blue FC | [2] |
2015 | 454,100 | 90 | 5,046 | 21.9% | 15,639 | Portland Thorns FC | 2,189 | Sky Blue FC | [3] |
2016 | 555,775 | 100 | 5,558 | 10.1% | 16,945 | Portland Thorns FC | 2,162 | Sky Blue FC | [4] |
2017 | 609,960 | 120 | 5,083 | −8.5% | 17,653 | Portland Thorns FC | 1,788 | FC Kansas City | [5] |
2018 | 650,564 | 108 | 6,024 | 18.5% | 16,959 | Portland Thorns FC | 2,531 | Sky Blue FC | [6] |
2019 | 792,409 | 108 | 7,337 | 21.8% | 20,098 | Portland Thorns FC | 3,338 | Sky Blue FC | [7] |
2021 | 592,074 | 116[b] | 5,528[8] | −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 | [8] |
2023 | 1,366,581 | 132 | 10,432 | 32.2% | 20,718 | San Diego Wave FC | 4,848 | Chicago Red Stars | [9] |
- ^ Green shading indicates record highs; red shading indicates record lows.
- ^ 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.
Attendance by team
editSeason | BOS | CHI | FCKC | HOU | KCC | LA | LOU | NC | NJY | ORL | POR | RGN | SD | UTA | WAS | WNY |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013[10] | 2,427 | 1,711 | 4,626 | — | — | — | — | — | 1,666 | — | 13,320 | 2,306 | — | — | 3,625 | 4,485 |
2014[11] | 2,437 | 2,949 | 2,018 | 4,650 | -- | — | — | -- | 1,656 | -- | 13,362 | 3,666 | — | — | 3,335 | 3,177 |
2015[12] | 2,863 | 4,210 | 3,091 | 6,413 | -- | — | — | -- | 2,189 | -- | 15,639 | 4,060 | — | — | 4,087 | 2,860 |
2016[13] | 3,570 | 3,005 | 3,162 | 5,696 | -- | — | — | -- | 2,162 | 8,785 | 16,945 | 4,602 | — | -- | 3,782 | 3,868 |
2017[5] | 2,896 | 3,196 | 1,788 | 4,578 | -- | — | — | 4,389 | 2,613 | 6,186 | 17,653 | 4,037 | — | -- | 3,491 | -- |
2018[6] | — | 4,368 | — | 3,896 | -- | — | — | 5,129 | 2,531 | 4,837 | 16,959 | 3,824 | — | 9,466 | 3,892 | — |
2019[7] | — | 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[8] | — | 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[9] | — | 4,848 | — | 5,857 | 11,353 | 19,756 | 5,999 | 5,384 | 6,293 | 6,005 | 18,918 | 13,610 | 20,718 | — | 10,876 | — |
Attendance records
editRegular season
edit- As of June 8, 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 | [14] |
1 | Chicago Red Stars | 1–2 | Bay FC | 35,038 | Wrigley Field | Chicago, Illinois | June 8, 2024 | [15][16] |
2 | OL Reign | 0–0 | Washington Spirit | 34,130 | Lumen Field | Seattle, Washington | October 6, 2023 | [17] |
3 | San Diego Wave FC | 1–2 | Kansas City Current | 32,066 | Snapdragon Stadium | San Diego, California | March 23, 2024 | [18] |
4 | San Diego Wave FC | 1–0 | Angel City FC | 32,000† | Snapdragon Stadium | San Diego, California | September 17, 2022 | [19] |
5 | San Diego Wave FC | 3–2 | Chicago Red Stars | 30,854 | Snapdragon Stadium | San Diego, California | March 25, 2023 | [20] |
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 | [21][22] |
7 | San Diego Wave FC | 1–2 | Angel City | 25,515 | Snapdragon Stadium | San Diego, California | June 17, 2023 | |
8 | Portland Thorns FC | 2–1 | North Carolina Courage | 25,218† | Providence Park | Portland, Oregon | August 11, 2019 | [23] |
Portland Thorns FC | 2–0 | OL Reign | 25,218† | Providence Park | Portland, Oregon | September 16, 2023 | [24] | |
10 | San Diego Wave FC | 1–0 | Houston Dash | 24,936 | Snapdragon Stadium | San Diego, California | September 3, 2023 |
* indicates part of a doubleheader with other teams; not included in rank
† sellout
Playoffs
edit- As of June 27, 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 | [25] |
2 | San Diego Wave FC | 2–1 (a.e.t.) | Chicago Red Stars | 26,215 | Snapdragon Stadium | October 16, 2022 | Quarterfinal | [26] |
3 | Portland Thorns FC | 0–1 (a.e.t.) | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 25,218 | Providence Park, Portland, Oregon | November 5, 2023 | Semifinal | |
4 | OL Reign | 1–2 | NJ/NY Gotham FC | 25,111 | Snapdragon Stadium | November 11, 2023 | Final | |
5 | Portland Thorns FC | 2–1 | San Diego Wave FC | 22,035 | Providence Park | October 23, 2022 | Semifinal | [27] |
6 | OL Reign | 0–2 | Kansas City Current | 21,491 | Lumen Field | October 23, 2022 | Semifinal | [28] |
7 | Houston Dash | 1–2 | Kansas City Current | 21,284† | PNC Stadium | October 16, 2022 | Quarterfinal | [26] |
8 | Portland Thorns FC* | 0–3 | North Carolina Courage | 21,144† | Providence Park | September 22, 2018 | Final | [29][30] |
9 | Portland Thorns FC | 3–4 | Western New York Flash | 20,086 | Providence Park | October 2, 2016 | Semifinal | [31] |
10 | Portland Thorns FC | 4–1 | Orlando Pride | 18,193 | Providence Park | October 7, 2017 | Semifinal | [32] |
* indicates "home" team in predetermined venue for championship final
† Sellout
NWSL attendance vs. other leagues
editThis section possibly contains original research. (June 2024) |
Vs. other North American women's professional leagues
editThe following table compares the NWSL regular season average attendance against the regular season average attendance for 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 | 12 | 132 | 2023 | 10,432 | +32.2% | 1,366,581 | [9] |
Women's National Basketball Association | 1996 | Basketball | 12 | 216 | 2022 | 5,679 | +115.4%[a] | 1,219,608 | [33] |
Liga MX Femenil | 2016 | Soccer | 18[b] | 306 | 2023 Clausura | 2,483 | +23.8% | 367,442 | [34] |
National Pro Fastpitch | 2004 | Fastpitch | 5 | 72 | 2015[c] | 1,128 | +26% | ~135,360 | [35] |
Premier Hockey Federation[d] | 2015 | Ice hockey | 4 | 60 | 2016–17 | 900 | [36] |
- ^ 2021 had low attendance due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on sports.
- ^ As the consequence of a riot, Querétaro played its first four home matches of the Clausura behind closed doors.
- ^ NPF had 6 teams for its 2016 & 2017 seasons, though attendance numbers for those are not available. Defunct in 2022.
- ^ Known as the National Women's Hockey League before the 2021–22 season. Defunct after the 2022 season.
Vs. other professional soccer leagues in North America
editThe 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 | [34] |
Major League Soccer | 1996 | Men's DI | 28 | 476 | 2022 | 21,033 | -1.4%[b] | 10,011,578 | [37] |
National Women's Soccer League | 2013 | Women's DI | 12 | 132 | 2023 | 10,432 | +32.2% | 1,366,581 | [9] |
USL Championship[c] | 2011 | Men's DII | 27 | 472 | 2022 | 7,622 | +44.5%[b] | 1,983,922 | [38] |
Canadian Premier League | 2019 | Men's DI | 8 | 112 | 2022 | 3,176 | -34.7%[b] | 355,696 | [39] |
Liga MX Femenil | 2016 | Women's DI | 18[a] | 306 | 2023 Clausura | 2,483 | +23.8% | 367,442 | [34] |
USL League One | 2019 | Men's DIII | 11 | 170 | 2022 | 2,203 | +13.3%[b] | 359,107 | [40] |
Vs. other worldwide women's top-division soccer leagues
editThe 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 | 12 | 2023 | 10,869 | +36.2% | 1,423,846 | |
FA WSL 1 | 2011 | England | 12 | 2022-23 | 5,222 | +172% | 689,304 | [41] |
Frauen-Bundesliga | 1990 | Germany | 12 | 2022-23 | 2,718 | +221% | 359,428 | [41] |
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 | [41] |
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 | [41] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Taking Attendance 8/18/2013: Final NWSL Attendance Numbers". Kenn.com. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ^ Gerhke, Sarah (September 30, 2014). "NWSL: Breaking down 2014 attendance numbers, part I". Soccerwire. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ^ Goldberg, Jamie (September 11, 2015). "National Women's Soccer League sees record attendance numbers in third season". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ^ Goldberg, Jamie (November 16, 2016). "National Women's Soccer League once again saw rising attendance numbers in 2016". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ^ a b "2017 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
- ^ a b "2018 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
- ^ a b "2019 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c "2022 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "2023 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ "2013 NWSL Statistics". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ^ "2014 NWSL Statistics". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ^ "2015 NWSL Statistics". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ^ "2016 NWSL Statistics". Retrieved November 27, 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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...
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Evans, Jayda (August 28, 2021). "Sounders, Reign play hosts at unique doubleheader Sunday at Lumen Field". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Sugita, Weaver goals see Portland to Cascadia clash win over OL Reign". National Women's Soccer League. September 17, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
- ^ Kraasovic, Tom (November 5, 2023). "Stunning goal sinks San Diego Wave's season in NWSL semifinals". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ^ a b Linehan, Meg (October 16, 2022). "KC Current, San Diego Wave FC advance to NWSL semifinals". The Athletic.
- ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
- ^ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
- ^ "Courage cap off record-setting season with NWSL Championship win". National Women's Soccer League. October 8, 2016. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "NWSL Playoffs Match Recap: Portland Thorns FC 4, Orlando Pride 1". Portland Thorns FC. October 7, 2017. Retrieved October 21, 2017.
- ^ "Yearly Attendance by Team". Across the Timeline. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Asistencia" [Attendance]. Liga MX. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
- ^ "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) - ^ "Will Female Pro-Hockey Players Ever Get What They're Worth?". Yahoo. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "2022 USL Championship Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. October 17, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Schedule". Canadian Premier League. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "2022 USL League One Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. October 15, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Baer, Bettina. "WOMEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE ATTENDANCES CONTINUE TO GROW, AS UNDERSTANDING OF FANS BUILDS ACROSS EUROPE". Two Circles. Retrieved March 31, 2024.