Red Bulls and Philly fans, we hear you! A recent Reddit thread lit up with questions about missing 2024 MLS attendance figures for these two teams. While the league celebrates record-breaking numbers overall, some crucial data remains elusive. Let’s explore the highs and lows of MLS attendance 2024, from packed stadiums to the ongoing data mystery.
Quick Look
- Fans express frustration over missing attendance numbers.
- Speculation arises surrounding the reasons behind the absence.
- Debate ensues on whether Washington Spirit’s attendance should be included.
Key Takeaways
- MLS sets new attendance records: The 2024 season was a landmark year for MLS attendance, with over 11 million fans attending games, demonstrating the league’s growing popularity and the “Messi Effect.”
- Missing attendance data raises questions: The absence of numbers for certain teams sparked debate among fans, highlighting the need for accurate and transparent reporting. Discussions also arose regarding the inclusion of attendance from other leagues.
- MLS faces the complexities of the modern media landscape: While in-person attendance soared, television viewership declined, raising questions about the impact of streaming and competition from other sports. The league’s success on social media, however, offers a bright spot for future growth.
Impact of Missing Red Bulls on MLS 2024 Attendance
One user noted, ‘Still not able to find Red Bulls and Philly’s attendance numbers from their games…if anyone is aware of those pls let me know and I can update the tracker!’ The lack of transparency from these teams left fans puzzled and eager for updates.
Is MLS Attendance Dropping?
‘Attendance was crap. That’s why Red Bulls didn’t report theirs. Still a good chunk of seats left even with upper deck areas tarped off,’ remarked a user, shedding light on the potential reasons behind the missing numbers and hinting at disappointing turnout.
MLS 2024 Attendance: A Record-Breaking Year
Overall League Growth
Record Attendance Numbers
2024 was a monumental year for Major League Soccer (MLS), shattering previous attendance records. The league welcomed over 11 million fans, a significant jump from its lowest point of 2.2 million in 2002. This remarkable growth reflects the league’s increasing popularity. The average attendance per game also reached a new high of over 23,000, a stark contrast to the 13,756 average seen in 2000. You can find more details on these historical attendance figures on Wikipedia.
Stadium Capacity and Sellouts
The 2024 season saw packed stadiums across the league, culminating in a record-breaking total attendance of 11,454,205 for regular season games. The average game attendance hit an all-time high of 23,234. The excitement surrounding MLS was palpable, with two games boasting crowds exceeding 70,000 and another 29 games drawing over 40,000 attendees. MLSSoccer.com highlighted these impressive figures in their season recap.
Team-Specific Performance
Top and Bottom Performers
Atlanta United FC led the league in attendance, drawing a staggering 796,120 fans to their home matches and averaging 46,831 per game. On the other end of the spectrum, the Colorado Rapids recorded the lowest attendance, with 260,720 total attendees and an average of 15,336 per game. WorldFootball.net provides a detailed breakdown of each team’s attendance.
Impact of Stadium Size
Interestingly, some teams consistently exceeded their stadium capacity, suggesting they might need larger venues. Conversely, teams playing in larger NFL stadiums, such as Atlanta, Seattle, and Charlotte, experienced slight dips in attendance, although their overall numbers remained high. This observation sparked a Reddit discussion about the ideal stadium size for MLS teams.
The Messi Effect
Inter Miami’s Surge
Lionel Messi’s arrival undeniably energized MLS. His presence not only elevated the level of play but also significantly boosted the league’s popularity and revenue.
Merchandise Sales
Messi’s impact extended beyond the pitch, driving MLS merchandise sales to new heights. His jersey became a global phenomenon, topping Adidas sales worldwide. This surge further underscores the “Messi Effect” on the league’s commercial success.
MLS Viewership in the Age of Streaming
The Apple TV Deal: A Double-Edged Sword?
Declining TV Viewership
While stadium attendance soared, television viewership for MLS faced challenges. The MLS Cup final, for instance, drew significantly fewer viewers than other major sporting events, even struggling to surpass pickleball viewership, according to The Guardian.
The Streaming Data Dilemma
The league’s exclusive streaming deal with Apple TV+ has made it difficult to accurately measure viewership on the platform. This lack of transparency makes it harder to understand the true reach of MLS broadcasts.
Factors Influencing Viewership
Competition and Scheduling
Experts suggest that the MLS season schedule, overlapping with popular American football, might contribute to lower TV viewership. The Guardian explores aligning the MLS season with European leagues to avoid this conflict.
Playoff Format
The complexity of the MLS playoff format has also been cited as a potential reason for lower viewer numbers. The Guardian suggests a simpler format could improve viewer engagement.
The Business of MLS: Beyond the Stands
Sponsorship and Revenue Growth
Despite the viewership questions, MLS saw significant growth in sponsorship revenue. For MLS and Soccer United Marketing (SUM), it increased by 13% compared to 2023.
Social Media Boom
MLS also thrived on social media, outpacing other major North American men’s sports leagues in follower growth on TikTok (+26%), YouTube (+21%), and Instagram (+10%). This digital success shows the league’s ability to connect with younger audiences and expand its reach, as reported by MLSSoccer.com.
A Look Back and Forward: MLS Attendance Trends
Historical Context
Growth Over Time
MLS attendance has grown explosively since the early 2000s, making it one of the fastest-growing sports leagues globally. Wikipedia offers a historical overview.
Impact of the Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic understandably impacted attendance in 2020 and 2021. However, the league rebounded strongly, showing its resilience and the fans’ enduring passion. More information is available on Wikipedia.
Future Outlook
League Expansion
League expansion has been key to MLS attendance growth, bringing the league to new markets and fans.
Calendar Changes
Potential changes to the MLS calendar, such as aligning the season with European leagues, could further influence viewership and attendance. The Guardian discusses this potential shift.
What About the Washington Spirit’s Numbers?
Another user threw a curveball by suggesting, ‘Washington Spirit officially had 19,897 on Saturday at Audi. Can we count that as ours?’ This led to a lively discussion on whether combining attendance figures from different teams was fair and accurate.
As fans continue to dissect the mysterious absence of crucial attendance data, speculation and debate run rampant in the subreddit. The quest for transparency and accuracy remains a priority for the passionate MLS community.
Related Articles
- 2024 MLS Attendance Tracker: Red Bulls and Philly’s Numbers Missing?
- MLS Attendance 2024: Key Takeaways and Trends
- 2024 MLS Attendance Tracker Reveals Surprising Trends
- MLS Cup Final Sees Dramatic Audience Drop: What Went Wrong?
- Messi’s Playoff Shutout Sparks Controversy: A Deep Dive into MLS’s Current Format
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are some MLS teams’ attendance figures missing from the tracker?
While the tracker aims to be comprehensive, obtaining attendance data for every team can be tricky. Sometimes teams don’t publicly release their numbers immediately, or the information isn’t readily accessible. The tracker relies on publicly available data and fan contributions, so there can be occasional gaps.
Why is there speculation about the missing Red Bulls and Philly attendance numbers?
Fans noticed the missing data and naturally started discussing possible reasons. Some believe the low turnout might be the reason behind the delayed reporting, while others think it could simply be a logistical oversight. Without official statements, it’s hard to know for sure.
Should attendance figures from other soccer leagues, like the Washington Spirit, be included in the MLS tracker?
This sparked a debate among fans. Some argue that including other leagues could skew the MLS data and make comparisons less meaningful. Others believe it offers a broader perspective on soccer attendance in general. Ultimately, it depends on the tracker’s specific goals and how the data is interpreted.
How does the MLS attendance in 2024 compare to previous years?
2024 was a record-breaking year for MLS attendance, surpassing previous highs and demonstrating significant growth in the league’s popularity. This surge in fan interest is a positive sign for the future of MLS. You can find historical data and comparisons online to see the full scope of this growth.
How has the shift to streaming on Apple TV+ affected MLS viewership?
While stadium attendance thrived, measuring TV viewership has become more complex with the move to streaming. The available data suggests a decline in traditional TV viewership, but the full picture, including streaming numbers, remains unclear due to limited data transparency from Apple. This makes it difficult to accurately assess the total reach of MLS broadcasts.