The Championship: The Second-Biggest Attended League in the World
The Championship, the second-tier league in English football, has once again proven its popularity by attracting a staggering 12.7 million fans during the 2023-24 season. According to data compiled by UEFA, this figure makes it the second-most attended league in the world, just behind the Premier League, which garnered a total of 14.7 million attendees.
England’s Love Affair with Football
The figures highlight England’s enduring love affair with the beautiful game, with a total of 44.7 million supporters attending matches from the Premier League down to Tier 6. This impressive number is nearly 50 percent more than the closest rival, Germany, which saw a total of 30.6 million fans. These statistics demonstrate the unmatched depth of support for football in England.
Uefa’s European Club Talent and Competition Landscape Report
These attendance figures were revealed in Uefa’s updated European Club Talent and Competition Landscape report, which provides a comprehensive overview of football across the continent. The report also highlights the enormous support for football in England, with over 5 million fans attending third-tier matches, almost 3.5 million attending fourth-tier matches, and nearly 3 million attending matches in tiers five and six.
Impressive Performance by Premier League Clubs
The report also sheds light on the impressive performance of Premier League clubs in terms of attendance. Six Premier League teams, including Manchester United, West Ham, Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Manchester City, attracted aggregate league gates of over 1 million fans during the previous season. Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United, hosted a total of 1.834 million supporters across all their home matches, second only to Borussia Dortmund, whose average attendance of just over 81,000 resulted in a total attendance of 1.95 million.
Premier League Referees and Stoppage Time
In addition to attendance figures, Uefa’s report also revealed interesting insights about Premier League referees. It was found that Premier League matches had the highest amount of stoppage time compared to any other league. Referees allowed an average of 11 minutes and 33 seconds of added time, with 68 percent of matches lasting over 100 minutes. This increase in stoppage time can be attributed to the adoption of new FIFA guidelines by PGMOL officials. However, this season, with the introduction of a new approach by referees’ chief Howard Webb, the average amount of added time has dropped to nine minutes and 59 seconds per game.
European Transfer Window and Spending Trends
The report also examined the transfer spending trends across European football. It revealed that there was an overall decrease of eight percent in spending during the summer transfer window, dropping from £6.16 billion in 2023 to £5.66 billion this year. Notably, French, Italian, and German clubs were “net spenders,” along with Premier League and Saudi Pro League clubs, marking the first time since the Covid pandemic that these leagues have seen a positive net spending. Despite a slight reduction in spending, Premier League clubs still paid an average of £13.2 million for each signing.
Conclusion
The Championship’s status as the second-most attended league in the world is a testament to the unwavering passion for football in England. The impressive attendance figures, coupled with the success of Premier League clubs and the intriguing insights from Uefa’s report, highlight the enduring popularity and global appeal of English football. With its rich history, passionate fans, and competitive matches, the Championship continues to captivate football enthusiasts worldwide.