NWSL Smashes Attendance Records in Historic 2024 Season

The National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) has achieved a landmark season in 2024, breaking multiple attendance records and solidifying its position as a growing force in professional sports. The league not only surpassed its previous regular season attendance record of 1.42 million set in 2023 but reached a historic milestone with over two million attendees in 2024.

This year’s campaign was groundbreaking on several fronts. The league surpassed the one million mark faster than ever before, achieving this milestone by round 13. By round 18, the NWSL had already shattered its previous attendance record, reaching 1.5 million spectators. These milestones underscore the league’s accelerating growth and heightened fan engagement.

Key contributors to this surge in attendance include the introduction of two expansion teams, Bay FC and Utah Royals, which have broadened the league’s geographic reach and attracted new audiences. Additionally, the 2024 schedule was expanded to include an extra home game for each team, offering fans more opportunities to connect with their clubs.

The San Diego Wave led the league in attendance, averaging an impressive 19,575 fans per game. Angel City FC and the Portland Thorns followed closely, both surpassing 18,000 fans on average per game. These figures reflect the growing appeal of women’s soccer in major markets and the league’s ability to draw consistent support across multiple teams.

A standout moment this season was the Chicago Red Stars setting a new single-game attendance record for the NWSL, with 35,038 fans attending their June match against Bay FC at Wrigley Field. This milestone further highlights the league’s growing cultural and commercial significance.

The league also saw its average attendance rise above 11,000 fans per match for the first time, up from 10,000 in 2023. Matches with over 10,000 attendees increased from 55 last year to 89 in 2024, reflecting an overall upward trend in fan interest and stadium engagement.

These record-breaking achievements not only underscore the league’s growing prominence but also signal significant opportunities for stakeholders. The NWSL’s ability to attract larger audiences and sustain this momentum will be pivotal as it navigates media rights negotiations, sponsorship opportunities, and long-term financial sustainability. The 2024 season has set a high benchmark, demonstrating the league’s potential to become a dominant player in the sports industry.