Football in Europe is more popular than ever

DESPITE the cost of being a spectator and unrest over corporatisation, wages and ownership issues, football is as popular as ever among European audiences. In 2023-24, 229 million watched football across Europe, including the men and women’s game and national team games.

Of the 229 million, top tier football attracted 111 million, a rise of 1.1% on 2022-23. The biggest increases were seen in Norway (27%), Poland (26%) and Romania (26%). Although attendance totals were down in England (-4%), Germany (-8%), Spain (02%) and France (-9%), France’s average attendance was up by 13% to almost 28,000 – the drop in total top-tier crowds was attributable to a two club reduction in Ligue 1. Italy, whose total was up by 4% to 11.7 million, enjoyed its best average (31,000) since 1998. Thirty-four top tiers saw their total attendances increase in 2023-24.

Across all divisions, England attracted 44.7 million spectators, while Germany drew 30.6 million, Spain 22.2 million, Italy 21.9 million and France 14.9 million. Lower tier football accounted for 76 million fans, an increase of 11.8%. 

Unsurprisingly, the most successful clubs in Europe in terms of attracting crowds are mostly members of the elite. There are 16 whose league crowds at home exceeded one million people during the season. Six of these were from the Premier League, three from Serie A, three from the Bundesliga, two from La Liga and one apiece from the Scottish Premiership and Ligue 1. The club with the highest home average was Borussia Dortmund, who drew 81,305 to their iconic stadium. Bayern Munich averaged 75,000 and Manchester United 73,534.

Dortmund’s total crowds, including Bundesliga, Europe and domestic cup, totalled 1.95 million, but the highest league crowds – 1.39 million – were at Manchester United. Interestingly, among the 16 was Schalke 04, who are currently in Bundesliga 2. Their average home attendance of 61,491 equated to a total beyond one million. If all matches are included, a further 16 clubs breach the one million mark, including Benfica, Rangers, Ajax, Feyenoord, Hertha Berlin and Fenerbahce.

National team football contributed more than 8 million people, with EURO 2024’s 2.7 million a record for the competition. The average was 52,574 which was bettered only once before, in 1988 (56,656).

Women’s football continues to grow its appeal, with Arsenal attracting over 300,000 to their home fixtures. The Women’s Super League drew the most people, around 972,000 of the one million attending games in England. Germany’s total was around half a million, with 382,000 watching top tier league games. There were five crowds over 50,000 in women’s club football, four of which involved Arsenal. 

With many stadiums filled to capacity across Europe, it would seem unlikely there will be a spike in attendances in the near future in the top leagues, unless a plethora of ground redevelopments emerge. Many leading clubs enjoying lengthy waiting lists for season tickets, it is certainly a seller’s market, which doesn’t provide much motivation for ticket price reductions. Supporters complain about the cost, but it would appear they are not too unhappy about the status quo, otherwise they would exercise their biggest weapon – absence.

Source material: UEFA Club Talent and Competition Landscape report.

Published by Neil Fredrik Jensen

Game of the People was founded in 2012 and is ranked among the 100 best football websites by various sources. The site consistently wins awards for its work, across a broad range of subjects.
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