Record attendances in United States club soccer
Competitive professional soccer has been played in the United States since 1912. Numerous leagues have existed over the years with some recognized by the United States Soccer Federation and some not. The lists below are the single game attendance records for men's outdoor (60,000+), men's indoor (18,000+), and women's outdoor (15,000+) matches in American club soccer.
Contents
Attendance (MLS)
<templatestyles src="Module:Hatnote/styles.css"></templatestyles>
This list includes matches in which at least one Major League Soccer team has participated. This list does not include several matches played in the U.S. between two clubs not based in the United States (e.g. Chelsea vs. AC Milan in the 2009 World Football Challenge).
# | Year | Attendance | Teams | Competition | Venue & Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2015 | 93,226 [1] | FC Barcelona at LA Galaxy | 2015 International Champions Cup | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA |
2 | 2009 | 93,137 [2] | FC Barcelona at LA Galaxy | friendly | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA |
3 | 2010 | 89,134 [3] | Real Madrid at LA Galaxy | friendly | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA |
4 | 2014 | 86,432[4] | Manchester United at LA Galaxy | friendly | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA |
5 | 2010 | 70,728 [5] | Manchester United at MLS All-Stars | MLS All-Star Game | Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX |
6 | 1996 | 69,225 | NY/NJ MetroStars at Los Angeles Galaxy | MLS | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA |
7 | 2013 | 67,385[6] | Portland Timbers at Seattle Sounders FC | MLS | CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA |
8 | 2013 | 67,273 | AC Milan vs Los Angeles Galaxy | 2013 ICC | Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL |
9 | 2011 | 67,052 [7] | Manchester United at Seattle Sounders FC | friendly | CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA |
10 | 2009 | 66,848 [8] | FC Barcelona at Seattle Sounders FC | friendly | Qwest Field, Seattle, WA |
11 | 2006 | 66,830 [9] | Real Madrid vs. D.C. United | friendly | Qwest Field, Seattle, WA |
12 | 2012 | 66,452 [10] | Portland Timbers at Seattle Sounders FC | MLS | CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA |
13 | 2007 | 66,237 | Los Angeles Galaxy at New York Red Bulls | MLS | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
14 | 2009 | 65,289 [11] | Chelsea at Seattle Sounders FC | friendly | Qwest Field, Seattle, WA |
15 | 2015 | 64,358 [12] | Portland Timbers at Seattle Sounders FC | MLS | CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA |
16 | 2014 | 64,207 [13] | Portland Timbers at Seattle Sounders FC | MLS | CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA |
17 | 2011 | 64,140 [14] | San Jose Earthquakes at Seattle Sounders FC | MLS | CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA |
18 | 1996 | 62,703 | New England Revolution at Los Angeles Galaxy | MLS | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA |
19 | 2015 | 62,510 | Orlando City vs New York City FC | MLS | Orlando Citrus Bowl, Orlando, FL |
20 | 2002 | 61,316 | Los Angeles Galaxy vs. New England Revolution | MLS Cup | Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, MA |
21 | 2011 | 61,308 [15] | Manchester United at Chicago Fire | 2011 WFC | Soldier Field, Chicago, IL |
22 | 2002 | 61,202 | Chicago Fire at Colorado Rapids | MLS | Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, CO |
23 | 2012 | 60,908 | Los Angeles Galaxy at Seattle Sounders FC (8/5/12) | MLS | CenturyLink Field, Seattle, WA |
24 | 2001 | 60,500 | D.C. United at Colorado Rapids | MLS | Mile High Stadium, Denver, CO |
25 | 1999 | 60,433 | Miami Fusion at Los Angeles Galaxy | MLS | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA |
International doubleheaders
The following are MLS league matches that were part of a double-header involving international teams.
# | Year | Attendance | Teams | Competition | Venue & Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2006 | 92,516 [16] | New England Revolution at Chivas USA | MLS | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA |
2 | 1996 | 92,216 | Tampa Bay Mutiny at Los Angeles Galaxy | MLS | Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA |
3 | 2005 | 88,816 | Los Angeles Galaxy at Chivas USA | MLS | Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, CA |
4 | 1996 | 78,416 | MLS East vs. MLS West | MLS All-Star Game | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
5 | 1999 | 73,123 | D.C. United at San Jose Clash | MLS | Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA |
6 | 2006 | 70,550 | Los Angeles Galaxy at Houston Dynamo | MLS | Reliant Stadium, Houston, TX |
7 | 2009 | 61,572 | Columbus Crew at San Jose Earthquakes | MLS | Candlestick Park, San Francisco, CA |
Foreign clubs
The following table shows record attendances for club soccer matches played in the U.S. where neither team was from a U.S. based league.
Attendance (NASL)
This list includes matches in which at least one team from the North American Soccer League (1968–84) has participated.
# | Year | Attendance | Teams | Competition | Venue & Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1977 | 77,691[31] | Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos | NASL playoffs | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
2 | 1979 | 76,031[32] | Tulsa Roughnecks at New York Cosmos | NASL playoffs | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
3 | 1977 | 75,646[33] | Santos FC at New York Cosmos (Pelé farewell, 10/1/77) | friendly | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
4 | 1978 | 74,901[34] | New York Cosmos vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies | NASL Soccer Bowl | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
5 | 1977 | 73,669[35] | Rochester Lancers at New York Cosmos | NASL playoffs | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
6 | 1979 | 72,342[36] | Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos | NASL | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
7 | 1980 | 71,413[37] | NASL Select at New York Cosmos (Beckenbauer farewell) | friendly | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
8 | 1978 | 71,219[38] | Seattle Sounders at New York Cosmos | NASL | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
9 | 1980 | 70,312[39] | Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos | NASL | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
10 | 1979 | 70,134[40] | Argentina at New York Cosmos (6/6/79) | friendly | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
11 | 1979 | 70,042[41] | Tampa Bay Rowdies at New York Cosmos (8/8/79) | NASL | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
12 | 1978 | 65,287[42] | Portland Timbers at New York Cosmos | NASL playoffs | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
13 | 1978 | 62,497[43] | New England Tea Men at New York Cosmos | NASL | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
14 | 1977 | 62,394[44] | Tampa Bay Rowdies at New York Cosmos | NASL | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
15 | 1980 | 60,384[45] | Vancouver Whitecaps at New York Cosmos | Trans-Atlantic Challenge | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
16 | 1978 | 60,199[46] | Minnesota Kicks at New York Cosmos | NASL playoffs | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
17 | 1980 | 60,182[46] | Seattle Sounders at New York Cosmos | NASL | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
18 | 1978 | 60,032[47] | Tampa Bay Rowdies at New York Cosmos | NASL | Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ |
Indoor soccer
This list refers to indoor soccer matches, not to regulation soccer matches played in indoor stadiums. The top attended indoor soccer matches all occurred during the 1980s during the Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–92) era. The majority of the top attended indoor soccer matches were matches hosted by the St. Louis Steamers during the early 1980s or by the Cleveland Force during the mid 1980s.
# | Year | Attendance | Teams | Competition | Venue & Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 1987 | 21,728 | Dallas Sidekicks at Tacoma Stars | MISL Championship | Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA |
2 | 1987 | 20,284 | Dallas Sidekicks at Tacoma Stars | MISL Championship | Tacoma Dome, Tacoma, WA |
3 | 1986 | 20,174 | Minnesota Strikers at Cleveland Force | MISL | Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH |
4 | 1986 | 19,476 | San Diego Sockers at St. Louis Steamers | MISL playoffs | St. Louis Arena, St. Louis, MO |
5 | 1986 | 19,468 | Baltimore Blast at Cleveland Force | MISL | Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH |
6 | 1982 | 19,398[48][49] | Tampa Bay Rowdies at Chicago Sting | NASL | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, IL |
7 | 1984 | 19,360 | New York Arrows at Cleveland Force | MISL | Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH |
8 | 1981 | 19,298 | Denver Avalanche at St. Louis Steamers | MISL | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
9 | 1980 | 19,229 | Philadelphia Fever at St. Louis Steamers | MISL | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
10 | 1981 | 19,112 | Philadelphia Fever at St. Louis Steamers | MISL | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
11 | 1980 | 19,108 | Detroit Lightning at St. Louis Steamers | MISL | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
12 | 1983 | 19,106 | Chicago Sting at Cleveland Force | MISL playoffs | Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH |
13 | 1984 | 19,048 | Pittsburgh Spirit at Cleveland Force | MISL | Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH |
14 | 1983 | 18,881 | Wichita Wings at St. Louis Steamers | MISL | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
15 | 1986 | 18,797 | Minnesota Strikers at Cleveland Force | MISL playoffs | Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH |
16 | 1987 | 18,674 | San Diego Sockers at Cleveland Force | MISL | Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH |
17 | 1984 | 18,630 | Pittsburgh Spirit at Cleveland Force | MISL playoffs | Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH |
18 | 1984 | 18,627 | Baltimore Blast at Cleveland Force | MISL | Richfield Coliseum, Richfield, OH |
19 | 1981 | 18,526 | Kansas City Comets at St. Louis Steamers | MISL | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
20 | 1981 | 18,526 | Memphis Americans at St. Louis Steamers | MISL | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
21 | 1982 | 18,526 | Denver Avlanche at St. Louis Steamers | MISL | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
22 | 1982 | 18,526 | New York Arrows at St. Louis Steamers | MISL | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
23 | 1983 | 18,526 | Kansas City Comets at St. Louis Steamers | MISL playoffs | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
24 | 1982 | 18,526 | New York Arrows at St. Louis Steamers (11-26-82) | MISL | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
25 | 1982 | 18,526 | New York Arrows at St. Louis Steamers (3-12-82) | MISL | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
26 | 1982 | 18,374[50] | New York Cosmos at Chicago Sting | NASL | Chicago Stadium, Chicago, IL |
27 | 1982 | 18,160 | New York Arrow at St. Louis Steamers | MISL playoffs | Checkerdome, St. Louis, MO |
Women's soccer
This list includes league matches from WUSA (2001-2003), WPS (2009-2011), and the NWSL (2013–present). Most records are held by the Washington Freedom of WUSA; the Freedom also hold the WPS attendance record. Portland Thorns FC holds the top five NWSL attendance records. Notably, despite the fact that the Thorns are owned and operated by the Portland Timbers of MLS, none of the Thorns games listed here were doubleheaders with the Timbers or any other MLS team (marked with an asterisk*), unlike most WUSA and WPS high attendances and the next-highest NWSL attendances.
# | Year | Attendance | Teams | Competition | Venue & Location |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2001[51] | 34,148 | Bay Area CyberRays at Washington Freedom | WUSA | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. |
2 | 2001 | 30,271* | Carolina Courage at Washington Freedom | WUSA | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. |
3 | 2002[52] | 24,240* | San Diego Spirit at Washington Freedom | WUSA | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. |
4 | 2003[53] | 21,892* | New York Power at Washington Freedom | WUSA | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. |
5 | 2003 | 21,859* | Carolina Courage at Washington Freedom | WUSA | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. |
6 | 2001 | 21,682* | Boston Breakers at Washington Freedom | WUSA | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. |
7 | 2002 | 21,539* | Washington Freedom at Boston Breakers | WUSA | CMGI Stadium, Foxborough, MA[54] |
8 | 2015 | 21,144[55] | Seattle Reign FC at Portland Thorns FC | NWSL | Providence Park, Portland, OR |
9 | 2001 | 21,078 | Bay Area CyberRays at Atlanta Beat | WUSA playoffs | Foxboro Stadium, Foxborough, MA |
10 | 2001 | 20,170 | New York Power at Atlanta Beat | WUSA | Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
11 | 2002 | 20,105* | Carolina Courage at Washington Freedom | WUSA | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. |
12 | 2001 | 19,133 | Washington Freedom at Atlanta Beat | WUSA | Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
13 | 2014 | 19,123[56] | Houston Dash at Portland Thorns FC | NWSL | Providence Park, Portland, OR |
14 | 2001 | 18,887 | Washington Freedom at Atlanta Beat | WUSA | Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
15 | 2013 | 17,619[56] | FC Kansas City at Portland Thorns FC | NWSL | JELD-WEN Field, Portland, OR |
16 | 2014 | 17,109[57] | Seattle Reign FC at Portland Thorns FC | NWSL | Providence Park, Portland, OR |
17 | 2003 | 17,032* | Washington Freedom at San Jose CyberRays | WUSA | Spartan Stadium, San Jose, CA |
18 | 2013 | 16,479[58] | Seattle Reign FC at Portland Thorns FC | NWSL | JELD-WEN Field, Portland, OR |
19 | 2001 | 16,174 | Washington Freedom at Bay Area CyberRays | WUSA | Spartan Stadium, San Jose, CA |
20 | 2009[59] | 16,098* | Sky Blue FC at Washington Freedom | WPS | RFK Stadium, Washington, D.C. |
21 | 2015 | 16,017*[60] | Boston Breakers at Chicago Red Stars | NWSL | Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL |
22 | 2014 | 15,743*[61] | Western New York Flash at Chicago Red Stars | NWSL | Toyota Park, Bridgeview, IL |
23 | 2011[62] | 15,404 | magicJack at Western New York Flash | WPS | Sahlen's Stadium, Rochester, NY |
24 | 2002 | 15,321 | Washington Freedom at Carolina Courage | WUSA playoffs | Herndon Stadium, Atlanta, GA |
25 | 2015 | 15,214[63] | FC Kansas City at Portland Thorns FC | NWSL | Providence Park, Portland, OR |
Sources
- Major League Soccer
- Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–1992)
- North American Soccer League (1968–84)
- Team History
- soccerstats.us
References
<templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" />
Cite error: Invalid <references>
tag; parameter "group" is allowed only.
<references />
, or <references group="..." />
- ↑ attendance 93,226
- ↑ Barcelona at Los Angeles Galaxy, attendance 93,137
- ↑ Real Madrid at LA Galaxy, attendance 89,134
- ↑ "Manchester United routs L.A. Galaxy 7-0 at Pasadena’s Rose Bowl", Pasadena Star-News, July 23, 2014.
- ↑ Manchester United vs. MLS All-Stars 2010, attendance 70,728
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Manchester United at Seattle Sounders FC, attendance 67,052
- ↑ Barcelona at Seattle Sounders, attendance 66,848
- ↑ Real Madrid vs DC United, attendance 66,830
- ↑ Recap: Sounders beat back Timbers 3-0 in front of 66,452
- ↑ Chelsea at Seattle Sounders FC, attendance 65,289
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ San Jose Earthquakes at Seattle Sounders FC, attendance 64,140
- ↑ Manchester United at Chicago Fire, 61,308 in attendance
- ↑ New England Revolution at Chivas USA and Barcelona vs Guadalajara, attendance 92,516
- ↑ "MANCHESTER UNITED DEFEATS REAL MADRID TO ADVANCE TO FINALS OF GUINNESS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP AGAINST LIVERPOOL"
- ↑ http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-07-30-barcelona-vs-manchester-united/stats
- ↑ http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/match?id=276252&league=GLOBAL.WORLD_FOOTBALL_CHALLENGE&cc=5901
- ↑ http://www.socceramerica.com/article/64873/top-25-us-soccer-crowds-2015.html
- ↑ http://soccernet-assets.espn.go.com/match?id=276255&league=GLOBAL.WORLD_FOOTBALL_CHALLENGE&cc=5901
- ↑ http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-03-barcelona-vs-cd-guadalajara/stats
- ↑ http://worldsoccertalk.com/2014/08/04/average-attendances-increase-20-at-international-champions-cup/
- ↑ http://www.socceramerica.com/article/64873/top-25-us-soccer-crowds-2015.html
- ↑ "Chelsea 1 Real Madrid 3: Lampard returns to Jose's fold... but Ronaldo steals the show"
- ↑ http://www.si.com/soccer/planet-futbol/2014/07/26/inter-milan-real-madrid-friendly-gareth-bale
- ↑ http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2015/07/30/paris-saint-germain-beats-manchester-united-2-0.html
- ↑ http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/dcunited/manchester-united-defeats-inter-milan-before-61238-at-fedex-field/2014/07/29/fdf48aa8-1791-11e4-88f7-96ed767bb747_story.html
- ↑ http://www.socceramerica.com/article/64873/top-25-us-soccer-crowds-2015.html
- ↑ http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2011-08-06-barcelona-vs-club-américa/stats
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 46.0 46.1 http://soccerstats.us/teams/new-york-cosmos/games/[dead link]
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ http://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/2002/06/02/breakers-miss-penalty-kick-and-freedom-escapes-with-tie/6ad797eb-bc53-43f7-a3e8-026573fe7747/
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 56.0 56.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.