MLS Average Attendance, 1996 to 2025

MLS averaged 21,988 fans per match in 2025, down 5% from the record 23,234 in 2024. The low was 13,756 in 2000.

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What the data shows

MLS league average per match: 17,406 in 1996, 21,988 in 2025. It peaked at 23,234 in 2024.
Highest club average: 28,916 in 1996, 43,992 in 2025 (1.5× higher). It peaked at 53,002 in 2018.

About this chart

MLS attendance fell in 2025 to 21,988 per match, a 5% drop from the league record of 23,234 in 2024, when total attendance reached 11,454,205. The long view is still growth: the inaugural 1996 season averaged 17,406, the low was 13,756 in 2000, and the league has been above 21,000 in most seasons since 2015.

The top club average has been Atlanta United's in every season since 2017 except 2020, peaking at 53,002 in 2018 and falling to 43,992 in 2025. Before them, Seattle Sounders led from 2009 to 2016, and the LA Galaxy topped the first season at 28,916. COVID cut 2020 to 2,182 per match and 2021 to 13,536 at reduced capacity. Figures are regular season only, and 2026 is not shown because the season was still in progress.

The data

Source: Wikipedia, 'Major League Soccer attendance' (Yearly statistics table, regular season). Retrieved November 4, 2026. Ends in 2025: the 2026 regular season runs until 7 Nov 2026 and the playoffs in December, so no final 2026 average exists. 2020 was played largely without fans (COVID) and 2021 at reduced capacity. Top-club row is the highest single-team home average each year.

MLS Average Attendance, Average per match and top club average, 1996-2025, 1996–2025
Date	MLS league average per match	Highest club average
1996	17,406	28,916
1997	14,603	21,298
1998	14,312	21,784
1999	14,282	17,696
2000	13,756	20,400
2001	14,961	21,518
2002	15,821	20,690
2003	14,898	21,983
2004	15,559	23,809
2005	15,108	24,204
2006	15,504	20,814
2007	16,770	24,252
2008	16,460	26,008
2009	16,040	30,942
2010	16,675	36,173
2011	17,872	38,496
2012	18,807	43,144
2013	18,594	44,038
2014	19,147	43,734
2015	21,558	44,247
2016	21,692	42,636
2017	22,106	48,200
2018	21,873	53,002
2019	21,330	52,510
2020	2,182	6,101
2021	13,536	43,964
2022	21,033	47,116
2023	22,111	47,526
2024	23,234	46,831
2025	21,988	43,992

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Frequently asked questions

What is the average attendance in MLS?

MLS averaged 21,988 fans per match in 2025, down 5% from the record 23,234 in 2024. The 2024 season drew 11,454,205 spectators in total.

Which MLS team has the highest attendance?

Atlanta United had the top club average in every season since 2017 except 2020. They peaked at 53,002 in 2018 and averaged 43,992 in 2025.

How did COVID affect MLS attendance?

It cut the 2020 league average to 2,182 per match, played largely without fans. The 2021 average recovered to 13,536 with reduced capacity, then 21,033 in 2022.

Where does this data come from?

Wikipedia, 'Major League Soccer attendance' (Yearly statistics table, regular season). Retrieved November 4, 2026. Ends in 2025: the 2026 regular season runs until 7 Nov 2026 and the playoffs in December, so no final 2026 average exists. 2020 was played largely without fans (COVID) and 2021 at reduced capacity. Top-club row is the highest single-team home average each year. You can download the full table as a CSV from this page.

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