Major League Soccer: Attendance down, NY, KC, and Dallas averaging under 10,000
After almost 2 months of games, Major League Soccer has seen a significant drop in attendance in several key markets. Is this reason for concern, a sign of today’s struggling economy, or are serious changes needed in these cities. First, let’s look at which teams and markets are showing significant drops in attendances numbers from last season.
Dallas, NY, and KC averaging under 10,000 at home
FC Dallas has been a disappointment on and off the pitch with their poor play and even worse attendance numbers. They are currently averaging 9,747 through 3 home games. Last season, Dallas averaged 13,024 after 15 home games. The season opener at Pizza Hut Park drew 15, 905, but the next 2 games were 6,524 (Chivas USA), and 6,813 (Toronto FC). Overall, the attendance for Dallas has never been great and peaked in 2007 with 15,145.
Besides Dallas, the New York Red Bulls have never been able to draw consistent attendance at Giants Stadium. The Red Bulls highest attendance was their first season, in 1996, averaging 23, 898. The last few seasons saw some positive momentum with over 16,000 for each of the last two seasons. Unfortunately, the team is averaging 9,829, with their last two games averaging about 8250.
The other market that’s averaging under 10,000 at their home games is Kansas City but has several differences from Dallas and New York. One is that the Wizards are playing in a stadium with only about 10,300 capacity so if one game draws under that capacity, it’s tough to improve the overll attendance average. However, its not a good sign when a team can’t sell out a stadium of that capacity. San Jose has a similar issue, playing in a small capacity venue, but does have the option of using larger venues (Arrowhead is undergoing construction in KC).
Is there reason to be concerned about early attendance numbers?
It’s not good that attendance is down for most MLS teams so far but its still very early. Seattle has sold out every home game and continues to have an impressive following in the Northwest. Toronto continues to sell out and is looking to expand BMO Field to meet demand. While not selling out their stadiums, Houston and DC United have strong home crowds. The Galaxy, while down from previous years, still are averaging close to 20,000 at home and will probably sell-out every home game when Beckham returns.
While most teams still have 10 or more home games, its entirely possible that attendance will actually be up from last season by October. Beckham will have a boost on the attendance, and other factors such as the summer weather, should have positive effects on the numbers. the good news is that there are teams like Seattle that have been able to create a buzz in the community where home games are events, just as in the NBA, NFL, or NHL. Here are the figures through this past weekend (May 10) and the season ending numbers for last season
TEAM ATTENDANCE REPORT
HOME GAMES ROAD GAMES
DATES TOTAL AVERAGE DATES TOTAL AVERAGE
Chicago Fire 4 43,991 10,998 4 58,145 14,536
Chivas USA 5 72,775 14,555 4 59,805 14,951
Colorado Rapids 3 33,110 11,037 4 53,335 13,334
Columbus Crew 4 53,050 13,263 4 60,684 15,171
FC Dallas 3 29,242 9,747 5 77,354 15,471
D.C. United 5 72,807 14,561 4 49,186 12,297
Houston Dynamo 4 65,187 16,297 3 30,883 10,294
Kansas City Wizards 4 36,769 9,192 5 85,740 17,148
Los Angeles Galaxy 4 79,045 19,761 4 73,222 18,306
New England Revolution 2 20,426 10,213 5 62,577 12,515
New York Red Bulls 4 39,315 9,829 5 95,041 19,008
Real Salt Lake 4 53,805 13,451 4 59,522 14,881
San Jose Earthquakes 5 55,140 11,028 3 43,802 14,601
Seattle Sounders FC 5 147,680 29,536 3 46,409 15,470
Toronto FC 5 100,899 20,180 4 47,536 11,884
MLS Totals 61 903,241 14,807 61 903,241 14,807
CLUB ATTENDANCE REPORT
HOME GAMES ROAD GAMES
DATES TOTAL AVERAGE DATES TOTAL AVERAGE
Chicago Fire 15 255,511 17,034 15 264,652 17,643
Chivas USA 15 226,717 15,114 15 255,975 17,065
Colorado Rapids 15 204,884 13,659 15 220,131 14,675
Columbus Crew 15 219,332 14,622 15 227,115 15,141
FC Dallas 15 195,356 13,024 15 281,712 18,781
D.C. United 15 297,531 19,835 15 233,133 15,542
Houston Dynamo 15 254,083 16,939 15 214,773 14,318
Kansas City Wizards 15 160,286 10,686 15 237,319 15,821
Los Angeles Galaxy 15 390,132 26,009 15 421,978 28,132
New England Revolution 15 263,706 17,580 15 211,938 14,129
New York Red Bulls 15 238,925 15,928 15 234,331 15,622
Real Salt Lake 15 242,690 16,179 15 231,367 15,424
San Jose Earthquakes 15 205,695 13,713 15 210,563 14,038
Toronto FC 15 301,793 20,120 15 211,654 14,110
MLS Totals 210 3,456,641 16,460 210 3,456,641 16,460
[...] Major League Soccer: Attendance down, NY, KC, and Dallas averaging under 10,000 [...]
Bring a team to Miami FL Don Garber.
I agree with Frank, they need to make a MLS team in Miami again!
While the Earthquakes play in a bandbox on the campus of Santa Clara University….it is the most beautiful setting in the MLS…
Anyone who hsa been there for a 7.30 pm kickoff, and the attendant sunsets… will agree.
The natural bowl that is Santa Clara Valley…is gorgeous.
When the Quakes build their new stadium nearby…their attendance will increase.
I think the stadia in Seattle, Toronto, and Colorado…play a big part in their crowds… in a positive way.
Houston has decent crowds IN SPITE of their dump…(totally configured for American football.
A VERY LARGE part for the popularity of the Barclay’s EPL is that their stadia are wonderful…
jack barry in S.F.