**Manchester United Tops European Clubs in Attendance Despite Low League Finish**
Manchester United may have finished eighth in the Premier League last season, their lowest finish in the league’s history, but they still managed to achieve the highest aggregate attendance in domestic league football among all European men’s clubs. This revelation comes from the latest ‘European Club Talent and Competition Landscape report’ published by UEFA. Despite their disappointing performance on the pitch, Manchester United attracted a total of 1,397,148 fans to their home league matches, surpassing all other European teams in terms of attendance.
It is worth noting that Borussia Dortmund, a German side, had the highest average attendance in home league matches with an impressive 81,305 fans per Bundesliga match. However, Dortmund played two fewer home league matches compared to clubs in England, Spain, and Italy. In terms of total attendance across all competitions, Dortmund came out on top with a remarkable figure of 1,951,745. This achievement was aided by their participation in the Champions League, where they reached the final but ultimately lost to Real Madrid.
While Manchester United ranked third in terms of total home attendances across all competitions with 1,834,291 fans, Italian club AC Milan secured the second spot with an aggregate home attendance of 1,860,964. Other English clubs including West Ham, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool also had total home league attendances exceeding one million.
The Premier League proved to be the best attended league overall, with a staggering 14.7 million attendees. However, there was a 4% drop in Premier League attendances in the 2023-24 season compared to the previous year. This decline can be attributed to a decrease in average stadium capacity by more than 5%. Nonetheless, with an average match attendance of over 23,000, the Championship, the second tier of English football, ranked as the seventh-best attended league in Europe during the same season.
**Growing Attendances in Women’s Football**
It’s not just the men’s game that saw impressive attendance numbers. Attendances in top-flight women’s football across Europe experienced a significant surge, reaching over 2.6 million spectators, a remarkable 38% increase from the previous season. English teams, in particular, played a significant role in driving this growth. Arsenal, with a total home league attendance of 329,986, drew in more than 200,000 fans, surpassing every other European club.
Joining Arsenal in attracting substantial attendance figures were Manchester United, Barcelona, and Chelsea, each with total season attendances exceeding 100,000 for league matches. Barcelona, in particular, stood out with a total attendance of 216,974 across all competitions. They were the only club in Europe to achieve a total above 100,000 for their Champions League matches alone.
Notably, the UEFA Women’s Champions League final between Barcelona and Lyon held in Bilbao saw an impressive turnout of 50,827 spectators, making it the fifth-best attended women’s match in Europe last season. However, Arsenal’s home matches in the Women’s Super League against Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea, and Liverpool outperformed that figure, showcasing the growing popularity and appeal of women’s football.
The significant increase in attendance figures for women’s football demonstrates the rising interest and support for the women’s game across Europe. With more fans filling stadiums, women’s football is gaining recognition and carving out its space in the sporting landscape.
In conclusion, despite Manchester United’s disappointing league finish, their ability to attract the highest aggregate attendance among all European men’s clubs highlights the unwavering support of their fanbase. Additionally, the impressive growth in attendance figures for women’s football reflects the increasing popularity and momentum of the women’s game. As football continues to captivate audiences worldwide, both the men’s and women’s game offer exciting opportunities for fans to experience the thrill and joy of live matches.