The growth of women’s soccer attendance over the past years

I’ve watched the soccer world transform from near-empty stadiums to packed houses… and the growth of women’s soccer attendance tells a story most people don’t fully understand yet. You’re looking at a decade-long journey where average numbers more than doubled. It wasn’t a steady climb—it was a rollercoaster with unexpected drops and explosive surges.

In 2013, a mere 4,270 fans showed up on average, but by 2024, that number hit 11,235. This surge pushed past 2 million spectators for the first time in history! Commissioner Jessica Berman calls these sales the “rocket fuel” for future growth.

Did you know that today, gates bring in more revenue for clubs than big broadcast deals? Even with a slight dip in 2025, the impact of these loyal fans remains undeniable. I have seen how dedicated fans can change a club’s destiny and how these women changed the business forever.

Key Takeaways

• NWSL average attendance jumped from 4,270 in 2013 to over 11,000 by 2024.
• Total league spectators surpassed the 2 million milestone for the first time recently.
• Ticket sales currently represent a larger revenue source for clubs than television rights.
• The 2025 season experienced a minor five percent decline in average game-day turnout.
• Commissioner Jessica Berman identifies ticket revenue as the primary engine for league expansion.
• Club financial success is now heavily dependent on building a loyal, local fan base.

The Numbers Behind the Surge

I’ve spent hours digging through the archives to understand how we got to where we are today. When you look at the raw statistics, the journey of women’s soccer is anything but a straight line. It is a story of resilience, sudden breakthroughs, and a community that refuses to stay small.

The Early Years: Building From 4,270 to 7,337 Average Attendance

The NWSL’s first season in 2013 drew just 4,270 fans per game. While it was a solid foundation, growth remained shaky for quite a while. By 2014, the numbers actually dipped to 4,137, and 2017 saw another slump despite steady expansion efforts.

I’ve analyzed the data, and the pattern shows a slow build. The league finally crossed the 7,000 mark in 2019. This proved that a dedicated audience was finally taking root in major cities.

The Pandemic Disruption and 2021 Reset

Then, the world stopped. COVID-19 forced the league to cancel the 2020 campaign entirely, wiping out years of hard-earned momentum. When play resumed, the attendance had dropped back to 5,528 per match.

It felt like the league had to start from scratch. However, this “reset” year actually set the stage for something much bigger. The hunger for live sports was about to reach an all-time high.

The Explosive Growth: 2022-2024 Breaks Every Record

This is where the rocket fuel finally ignited. In 2022, the league saw a massive 42.8% jump, followed by a stunning 32.2% increase in 2023. These aren’t just minor gains; they represent a fundamental change in how we view the sport.

• The 2023 average attendance reached 10,432, selling 1.2 million total tickets.
• Opening weekend in 2023 averaged 15,000 fans, shattering the previous year‘s record by nearly 50%.
• By 2024, the league hit a new 11,235 average, doubling its attendance from just three years prior.

This surge shows soccer’s impact on the modern world goes far beyond just the pitch. Even with a small 5% dip in 2025, the league is now operating on a completely different level than its humble beginnings.

Breaking Records and Making History

I’ve spent years tracking stats, but nothing prepared me for the day the ceiling on women’s sports attendance simply vanished. It is a thrilling era where old benchmarks are shattered every single season.

We used to dream about reaching five-figure crowds consistently. Now, those numbers serve as the baseline for a cultural revolution that shows no signs of slowing down.

Portland Thorns: First Team to Break the 20,000 Mark

The Portland Thorns shattered expectations in 2019 when they became the first team to average over 20,000 fans. They hit exactly 20,098 people per game, proving the market was ready for more.

Expansion clubs quickly followed this lead, with Angel City FC and San Diego Wave pushing the limits even further. These organizations treated their players like stars and their matches like major events.

Denver Summit’s 63,004 Fans Rewrites the Record Book

But even Portland’s legendary run looks quiet compared to the explosion on March 28, 2026. The Denver Summit drew 63,004 soccer fans to Empower Field for their inaugural home opener.

It was the first time I truly realized the massive scale this league could reach. Seeing a massive NFL stadium filled to the brim changed everything for the sport’s future.

When Major League Stadiums Opened Their Doors

I’ve noticed a shift as NFL and MLB venues finally opened their gates to women’s soccer. OL Reign drew 42,054 supporters for a single match at Lumen Field in 2023.

The momentum continued as the Chicago Red Stars packed Wrigley Field with over 35,000 people. These high-profile matches proved that when the venue is accessible, the fans will show up in droves.

• Bay FC: Drew 40,091 attendees to Oracle Park in 2025.
• NWSL Championship: Brought 25,011 people to Snapdragon Stadium in 2023.
• San Diego Wave: Maintained the highest single-season average in league history.

What Drove the Growth of Women’s Soccer Attendance

The sudden rise in stadium attendance didn’t happen by accident, and I’ve been digging into the “why” behind it. It wasn’t just one lucky moment—it was a perfect storm of smart business and incredible talent. Let’s explore the specific gears that started turning to create this massive surge in fan interest.

Expansion Teams Entering Premium Markets

The league’s growth skyrocketed when it targeted huge markets like Los Angeles and San Diego. When Angel City FC launched, they didn’t just play; they filled the stadium with 20,000 fans right away. This wasn’t slow building… it was instant proof that these major markets were ready for elite women’s soccer.

The World Cup Effect and Star Power

Every four years, the World Cup captures the nation’s heart, but the real magic happens afterward. You see your favorite player on the global stage and then realize you can watch them live in your own city. The World Cup effect turned local matches into must-see events for families and die-hard fans alike.

Media Rights Deals and Local Broadcasting

While the NWSL signed a massive $60 million annual media deal, broadcast money isn’t everything. Commissioner Berman notes that ticket sales are the real “rocket fuel” for these clubs. Still, media visibility helped casual fans discover their home teams, making it much easier to buy a ticket for the next game.

Stadium Quality and Accessibility Improvements

Have you ever watched a game in a cramped minor league baseball park? It’s a huge difference when you move to purpose-built venues like Snapdragon Stadium. Better seats and better views have fueled the growth of the overall fan experience. Higher quality venues make fans want to return week after week.

How NWSL Compares to Other Leagues

Is the NWSL truly the biggest women’s league on the planet, or are we just seeing a localized bubble of success? I decided to dig into the global numbers to see how our favorite sports leagues actually stack up against one another.

The results might surprise you because the data tells a story of incredible dominance. We often think of European soccer as the gold standard, but the American league landscape is shifting the power balance.

Second Place Among North American Women’s Sports

The NWSL currently sits in a strong second place among North American professional women’s sports. With a 2025 average attendance of 10,669, it trails only the WNBA, which leads with 11,069 fans per game.

The gap between these two leagues is remarkably small when you consider basketball’s decades-long head start. Meanwhile, newer ventures like the PWHL follow further behind with an average of 5,448 fans.

It is clear that three sports leagues really matter in this conversation. The NWSL has built an enormous lead over the third-place PWHL, maintaining a cushion of nearly 5,000 fans every single game.

Leading the World in Women’s Soccer Attendance

When I looked at the global stage, I found that the NWSL absolutely dominates every other women super league competition. For instance, the England women super league draws about 6,639 fans, which is significantly lower than American numbers.

The attendance gap between the NWSL and the European women super league isn’t even close. Our domestic women soccer matches draw nearly 60% more fans than the top super league in England.

Other European giants like Germany’s super league (Frauen-Bundesliga) average only 2,692. Spain’s women super competition, Liga F, brings in just 1,393 fans per match, proving that the American model is the global leader.

Even the brand-new Northern super league in Canada and the USL super league trail behind. These leagues average 3,633 and 2,487 respectively, showing how established the NWSL has become in the women soccer market.

Closing the Gap with Men’s Soccer Leagues

The most exciting part is how the NWSL is closing the gap with men’s leagues. During the last season, the NWSL attendance figures actually surpassed the USL Championship, which averaged 7,622 fans.

While the MLS and Liga MX still pull in over 20,000 fans, the current season growth trajectory is promising. If this expansion continues into major super league markets, the NWSL will legitimately compete with established men’s leagues in ways we never thought possible.

Every women super match is now a major event. This proves that the women super league model in America is setting the pace for the rest of the world to follow.

The Reality Behind the Headlines

Have you ever wondered if every NWSL team is actually riding the same wave of success? While the league celebrates major milestones, the latest data reveals that growth does not happen equally among all clubs. It is easy to get lost in the hype, but a closer look shows some uncomfortable gaps.

Not Every Team Shares the Success Story

Each club faces unique challenges in building its local following during the year. For instance, the Portland Thorns drew 18,173 fans in 2025, but Racing Louisville averaged only 5,521. This 3X difference proves that league-wide momentum doesn’t always account for local struggles or a shrinking fanbase.

Why Ticket Sales Still Matter More Than Broadcast Money

You might think big media deals solve every financial problem, but ticket sales remain the primary revenue source. It is still unclear how many clubs receive a direct cut of the $60 million annual media rights account. A loyal fanbase is the only way a team survives financially during a difficult season.

We must account for the fact that gate receipts provide the most immediate cash flow. When a team fails to fill seats, it loses more than just atmosphere—it loses the ability to compete for top talent. Another source confirms that teams without their own stadiums often struggle more with these financial margins.

The 2025 Dip: A Warning Sign or Natural Fluctuation

After a three-year winning streak, the average attendance dipped 5% to 10,669 in 2025. This report suggests the interest women‘s soccer created might be stabilizing instead of continuously accelerating. How do we account for this cooling period? It is possible the novelty of new stadiums is beginning to fade.

The data from this report shows that even major markets like Chicago are feeling the pressure. Every fanbase needs constant nurturing to account for shifting interest women‘s sports trends over time. This 2025 season serves as a reminder that attendance growth requires active effort and better marketing, not just league momentum. A struggling fanbase is a risk that no owner can afford to ignore in today’s competitive landscape.

Conclusion

I have tracked the records and analyzed the research—the result is clear. The growth of women soccer attendance shows a fundamental shift in how fans engage with the game. Crossing 2 million spectators for the first time in 2024 wasn’t just a win… it was a statement to the world.

From 4,270 soccer fans per match to over 11,000, this league now leads the global stage. I’ve seen the list of record-breaking matches grow, including the massive 63,004 turnout in Denver. These teams prove that when you invest in a player and quality games, the soccer community responds.

However, the 2025 dip reminds us that growth requires constant execution. Women in sports need fans who return for every match, season after season. If you are attending your first women soccer game, you are joining a movement that competes with the world‘s best soccer fans.