National Women's Soccer League attendance

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The Portland Thorns' average regular-season attendance in 2019 was 20,098 fans, the first year a team broke the 20,000 mark. Thorns, Oct. 2016 - 8.jpg
The Portland Thorns' average regular-season attendance in 2019 was 20,098 fans, the first year a team broke the 20,000 mark.

The National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) is the top-tier professional women's soccer league in the United States. It has the highest average attendance of any professional women's sports league in the United States, surpassing the Women's National Basketball Association and Professional Women's Hockey League.[ citation needed ] During the 2024 season, the NWSL reached a total attendance of over 2 million spectators for the first time in the league's history. [1] The single-match attendance record of 40,091 spectators was set by the Washington Spirit and Bay FC on August 23, 2025, at Oracle Park in San Francisco. [2]

Contents

Total regular season attendance

Attendance by year

SeasonTotal gateGamesAverageChangeHigh avg. [a] TeamLow avg.TeamRef.
2013 375,763884,270—13,320 Portland Thorns FC 1,664 Sky Blue FC [3]
2014 446,8201084,137−3.1%13,362 Portland Thorns FC 1,640 Sky Blue FC [4]
2015 454,100905,04621.9%15,639 Portland Thorns FC 2,189 Sky Blue FC [5]
2016 555,7751005,55810.1%16,945 Portland Thorns FC 2,162 Sky Blue FC [6]
2017 609,9601205,083−8.5%17,653 Portland Thorns FC 1,788 FC Kansas City [7]
2018 650,5641086,02418.5%16,959 Portland Thorns FC 2,531 Sky Blue FC [8]
2019 792,4091087,33721.8%20,098 Portland Thorns FC 3,338 Sky Blue FC [9]
2021 592,074116 [b] 5,528 [10] −30.5%12,555 Portland Thorns FC 3,143 Chicago Red Stars [ citation needed ]
2022 1,042,0631327,89442.8%19,105 Angel City FC 4,385 Orlando Pride [10]
2023 1,366,581131 [c] 10,43232.2%20,718 San Diego Wave FC 4,848 Chicago Red Stars [12]
2024 2,044,84818211,23514.1%19,575 San Diego Wave FC 6,194 Houston Dash [1]
  1. ↑ Green shading indicates record highs; red shading indicates record lows.
  2. ↑ Portland Thorns FC did not report two matches during a period of capacity restrictions related to COVID-19 pandemic safety policies: versus Louisville on June 5, and Kansas City on June 20. Two further matches (Washington at Portland on September 4, and OL Reign at Washington on September 12) were declared by the league to be forfeits against Washington due to violations of the league's COVID safety protocols and were not played.
  3. ↑ The April 28, 2023, match between HOU and NC was abandoned at the 52nd minute before attendance could be reported. [11]

    Attendance by team

    Season BAY BOS CHI FCKC HOU KCC LA LOU NC NJY ORL POR RGN SD UTA WAS WNY
    2013 [13] —2,4271,7114,626—————1,666—13,3202,306——3,6254,485
    2014 [14] —2,4372,9492,0184,650--——--1,656--13,3623,666——3,3353,177
    2015 [15] —2,8634,2103,0916,413--——--2,189--15,6394,060——4,0872,860
    2016 [16] —3,5703,0053,1625,696--——--2,1628,78516,9454,602—--3,7823,868
    2017 [7] —2,8963,1961,7884,578--——4,3892,6136,18617,6534,037—--3,491--
    2018 [8] ——4,368—3,896--——5,1292,5314,83716,9593,824—9,4663,892—
    2019 [9] ——5,451—3,615--——5,8753,3385,56520,0985,213—10,7746,105—
    2021[ citation needed ]——3,143—3,3864,837—6,6104,9863,7934,22712,5555,240——4,130—
    2022 [10] ——5,863—5,6447,65719,1056,0484,5454,4154,38515,5436,8448,729—5,955—
    2023 [12] ——4,848—5,85711,35319,7565,9995,3846,2936,00518,91813,61020,718—10,876—
    2024 [1] 13,617—7,156—6,19411,50019,3136,2086,3628,5898,34018,7258,50319,57510,30413,937—

    Attendance records

    Regular season

    As of August 23, 2025
    RankHome teamScoreAway teamAttendanceVenueLocationDateRef.
    — OL Reign 0–2 Portland Thorns 42,054* Lumen Field Seattle, Washington June 3, 2023 [17]
    1 Bay FC 2–3 Washington Spirit 40,091 Oracle Park San Francisco, California August 23, 2025 [2]
    2 Chicago Red Stars 1–2 Bay FC 35,038 Wrigley Field Chicago, Illinois June 8, 2024 [18] [19]
    3OL Reign0–0 Washington Spirit 34,130Lumen FieldSeattle, WashingtonOctober 6, 2023 [20]
    4 San Diego Wave 1–2 Kansas City Current 32,066 Snapdragon Stadium San Diego, California March 23, 2024 [21]
    5San Diego Wave1–0 Angel City FC 32,000†Snapdragon StadiumSan Diego, CaliforniaSeptember 17, 2022 [22]
    6San Diego Wave3–2Chicago Red Stars30,854Snapdragon StadiumSan Diego, CaliforniaMarch 25, 2023 [23]
    7San Diego Wave2–0 Racing Louisville 30,312Snapdragon StadiumSan Diego, CaliforniaOctober 15, 2023
    —OL Reign2–1Portland Thorns27,248*Lumen FieldSeattle, WashingtonAugust 29, 2021 [24] [25]
    8San Diego Wave1–4 North Carolina Courage 26,516Snapdragon StadiumSan Diego, CaliforniaSeptember 8, 2024 [26]
    — Chicago Stars 2–2 Seattle Reign 26,492* Soldier Field Chicago, IllinoisJune 14, 2025 [27]
    9San Diego Wave1–2Angel City FC25,515Snapdragon StadiumSan Diego, CaliforniaJune 17, 2023 [28]
    10Portland Thorns2–1North Carolina Courage25,218† Providence Park Portland, Oregon August 11, 2019 [29]
    Portland Thorns2–0OL Reign25,218†Providence ParkPortland, OregonSeptember 16, 2023 [30]

    * indicates part of a doubleheader with other teams; not included in rank
    † indicates sellout

    Playoffs

    As of November 17, 2024
    RankHome teamScoreAway teamAttendanceVenueDateStageRef.
    1 San Diego Wave 0–1 OL Reign 32,262 Snapdragon Stadium November 5, 2023Semifinal [31]
    2San Diego Wave2–1 ( a.e.t. ) Chicago Red Stars 26,215Snapdragon StadiumOctober 16, 2022Quarterfinal [32]
    3 Portland Thorns 0–1 ( a.e.t. ) NJ/NY Gotham 25,218† Providence Park November 5, 2023Semifinal [33]
    4OL Reign1–2NJ/NY Gotham25,011Snapdragon StadiumNovember 11, 2023Final [34]
    5Portland Thorns2–1San Diego Wave22,035Providence ParkOctober 23, 2022Semifinal [35]
    6OL Reign0–2 Kansas City Current 21,491 Lumen Field October 23, 2022Semifinal [36]
    7 Houston Dash 1–2Kansas City Current21,284† PNC Stadium October 16, 2022Quarterfinal [32]
    8Portland Thorns*0–3 North Carolina Courage 21,144†Providence ParkSeptember 22, 2018Final [37] [38]
    9Portland Thorns3–4 Western New York Flash 20,086Providence ParkOctober 2, 2016Semifinal [39]
    10 Washington Spirit 3–2NJ/NY Gotham19,365† Audi Field November 16, 2024Semifinal [40]

    * indicates "home" team in predetermined venue for championship final
    † indicates the match was a sellout

    NWSL attendance vs. other leagues

    Vs. other North American women's professional leagues

    The following table compares the NWSL regular season average attendance against that of other professional women's sports leagues in North America.

    LeagueYear
    started    		SportTeamsGames
    played    		SeasonAttendanceRef.
    AverageAverage vs.
    prior season    		Total
    National Women's Soccer League2013 Soccer 14182 2024 11,235+14.1%2,044,848 [41]
    Women's National Basketball Association 1996 Basketball 12240 2024 9,807+48%2,353,735 [42]
    Professional Women's Hockey League 2024 [a] Ice hockey 672 2023–24 5,448— [b] 392,259 [43]
    Pro Volleyball Federation 2024 Volleyball 784 2024 4,487— [b] 376,920 [44]
    Liga MX Femenil 2016 Soccer 18 [c] 306 2023 Clausura 2,483+23.8%367,442 [45]
    National Pro Fastpitch 2004 Fastpitch 572 2015 [d] 1,128+26%~135,360 [46]
    1. ↑ The first PWHL season was billed as the 2023–24 season, but took place entirely within calendar 2024.
    2. 1 2 Inaugural season.
    3. ↑ As the consequence of a riot, Querétaro played its first four home matches of the Clausura behind closed doors.
    4. ↑ NPF had 6 teams for its 2016 & 2017 seasons, though attendance numbers for those are not available. Defunct in 2022.

    Vs. other professional soccer leagues in North America

    The following table compares the NWSL regular season average attendance against the average regular season attendance for other professional soccer leagues in North America.

    LeagueYear
    started    		DivisionTeamsMatches
    played    		SeasonAttendanceRef.
    AverageAverage vs.
    prior season    		Total
    Liga MX 1943Men's DI18 [a] 153 2023 Clausura 23,160+12.8%3,450,854 [45]
    Major League Soccer 1996Men's DI28476 2022 21,033-1.4% [b] 10,011,578 [47]
    National Women's Soccer League2013Women's DI14182 2024 11,235+14.1%2,044,848 [41]
    USL Championship [c] 2011Men's DII27472 2022 7,622+44.5% [b] 1,983,922 [48]
    Canadian Premier League 2019Men's DI8112 2022 3,176-34.7% [b] 355,696 [49]
    Liga MX Femenil 2016Women's DI18 [a] 306 2023 Clausura 2,483+23.8%367,442 [45]
    USL League One 2019Men's DIII11170 2022 2,203+13.3% [b] 359,107 [50]
    1. 1 2 As the consequence of a riot, Querétaro played its first four home matches of the Clausura behind closed doors.
    2. 1 2 3 4 Compared to 2019, the last previous season unaffected by COVID-19 pandemic-related restrictions.
    3. ↑ Known as the United Soccer League before the 2019 season.

    Vs. other worldwide women's top-division soccer leagues

    The following table compares the NWSL regular season average attendance against the regular season average attendance for a selection other top-flight soccer leagues from around the world; this list is not exhaustive.

    LeagueYear StartedNation# TeamsSeasonAverage
    attendance    		Average vs.
    prior season    		Total
    Attendance    		Ref
    National Women's Soccer League2013 United States 14 2024 11,235+14.1%2,044,848 [41]
    Women's Super League 2011 England 12 2023–24 7,363+41%971,977 [51]
    Frauen-Bundesliga 1990 Germany 12 2022-23 2,718+221%359,428 [52]
    Liga MX Femenil 2016 Mexico 18 2022-23 2,072-16%311,081
    WE League 2021 Japan 12 2022-23 1,401154,141
    Liga F 1988 Spain 16 2022-23 1,393+124%334,320 [52]
    A-League Women 2008 Australia 12 2022-23 1,249+8%126,194
    Division 1 Féminine 1974 France 12 2022-23 954+42%126,292 [52]

    See also

    References

    1. 1 2 3 Badenhausen, Kurt (November 2, 2024). "NWSL 2024 Attendance Hits Record 2 Million Fans". Sportico . Retrieved November 10, 2024.
    2. 1 2 "Bay FC draws NWSL record crowd to Oracle Park". ESPN.com. August 23, 2025.
    3. ↑ "Taking Attendance 8/18/2013: Final NWSL Attendance Numbers". Kenn.com. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
    4. ↑ Gerhke, Sarah (September 30, 2014). "NWSL: Breaking down 2014 attendance numbers, part I". Soccerwire. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
    5. ↑ Goldberg, Jamie (September 11, 2015). "National Women's Soccer League sees record attendance numbers in third season". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
    6. ↑ Goldberg, Jamie (November 16, 2016). "National Women's Soccer League once again saw rising attendance numbers in 2016". The Oregonian. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
    7. 1 2 "2017 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved October 8, 2017.
    8. 1 2 "2018 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved September 13, 2018.
    9. 1 2 "2019 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. October 12, 2019. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
    10. 1 2 3 "2022 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
    11. ↑ "Courage defeat Dash 1-0 in weather-shortened match". NWSL. April 28, 2023.
    12. 1 2 "2023 NWSL Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
    13. ↑ "2013 NWSL Statistics" . Retrieved November 27, 2016.
    14. ↑ "2014 NWSL Statistics" . Retrieved November 27, 2016.
    15. ↑ "2015 NWSL Statistics" . Retrieved November 27, 2016.
    16. ↑ "2016 NWSL Statistics" . Retrieved November 27, 2016.
    17. ↑ Evans, Jayda (June 3, 2023). "OL Reign lose to Thorns for first time since 2019 to cap soccer twinbill". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
    18. ↑ Kawash, Maher (June 9, 2024). "Historic Chicago Red Stars soccer match at Wrigley Field breaks NWSL attendance record". ABC 7 Chicago . Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024. The soccer match between the Chicago Red Stars and Bay FC Saturday night broke the National Women's Soccer League's attendance record, drawing in 35,038 soccer fans...
    19. ↑ Melsar, Eileen (June 9, 2024). "Photos: Chicago Red Stars set NWSL attendance record at Wrigley Field". The Chicago Tribune . Archived from the original on June 9, 2024. Retrieved June 10, 2024. The match drew 35,038 fans, setting a National Women's Soccer League record.
    20. ↑ Anderson, Jason (October 6, 2023). "OL Reign sets standalone NWSL attendance record for Rapinoe farewell game". Pro Soccer Wire. USA Today. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
    21. ↑ The Associated Press (March 24, 2024). "Kansas City Current take winning ways on the road, defeat San Diego Wave FC 2-1". KSHB 41 . Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved June 14, 2024. ...in front of 32,066 fans, an NWSL home opener record.
    22. ↑ "Match Recap: San Diego tops Angel City in front of capacity crowd for first win at Snapdragon Stadium". National Women's Soccer League. September 18, 2022. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
    23. ↑ "Late Morgan penalty helps Wave FC edge Chicago in front of over 30,000 fans in San Diego". National Women's Soccer League. March 25, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
    24. ↑ "Match Recap: Reign Earn Hard Fought 2–1 Win Against Portland" (Press release). National Women's Soccer League. August 29, 2021. Retrieved August 30, 2021.
    25. ↑ Evans, Jayda (August 28, 2021). "Sounders, Reign play hosts at unique doubleheader Sunday at Lumen Field". The Seattle Times. Retrieved August 23, 2022.
    26. ↑ Kassouf, Jeff (September 8, 2024). "Emotional Alex Morgan exits final game early in San Diego". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 14, 2024.
    27. ↑ Gaichas, Dan (June 14, 2025). "Stars drop lead late and draw Reign". Prost International. Retrieved June 16, 2025.
    28. ↑ "Kristen McNabb Gets 1st Score, but Wave Defeated 2-1 by Angel City at Snapdragon". Times of San Diego . June 17, 2023. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
    29. ↑ Goldberg, Jamie (August 11, 2019). "Portland Thorns fight back to earn massive 2–1 win over North Carolina Courage in front of record-setting crowd". The Oregonian. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
    30. ↑ "Sugita, Weaver goals see Portland to Cascadia clash win over OL Reign". National Women's Soccer League. September 17, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
    31. ↑ Kraasovic, Tom (November 5, 2023). "Stunning goal sinks San Diego Wave's season in NWSL semifinals". The San Diego Union-Tribune . Retrieved November 6, 2023.
    32. 1 2 Linehan, Meg (October 16, 2022). "KC Current, San Diego Wave FC advance to NWSL semifinals" . The Athletic .
    33. ↑ White, Austin (November 5, 2023). "Thorns can't get the final push in 1-0 NWSL semifinal loss to Gotham FC". Portland Tribune . Retrieved November 18, 2024.[ dead link ]
    34. ↑ Krasovic, Tom (November 12, 2023). "Big -time players lead Gotham past OL Reign for NWSL championship at Snapdragon Stadium". The San Diego Union-Tribune . Retrieved November 18, 2024.
    35. ↑ Schnell, Lindsay (October 23, 2022). "Portland Thorns defeat San Diego Wave in NWSL playoff after wild final minute of stoppage time". USA Today . Retrieved November 18, 2024.
    36. ↑ "National Women's Soccer League Official Site | NWSL". www.nwslsoccer.com.
    37. ↑ "Courage cap off record-setting season with NWSL Championship win". National Women's Soccer League. October 8, 2016. Archived from the original on February 1, 2019. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
    38. ↑ Yang, Meg Linehan and Steph. "This week in NWSL chaos: Current, Wave make it a good day for water in the quarterfinals". The New York Times.
    39. ↑ "Flash beat Thorns FC, 4–3, in extra time". National Women's Soccer League. October 2, 2016. Archived from the original on November 6, 2016. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
    40. ↑ "Aubrey Kingsbury stops 3 penalties to help Washington Spirit advance to the NWSL championship". apnews.com. Associated Press. November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
    41. 1 2 3 NWSL (November 2, 2024). "NWSL Breaks Two Million in Regular Season Attendance for First Time in League History". National Women's Soccer League. Retrieved November 25, 2024.
    42. ↑ "WNBA Delivers Record-Setting 2024 Season" (Press release). WNBA. September 27, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
    43. ↑ "Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) Celebrates Historic Inaugural Regular Season" (Press release). Professional Women's Hockey League. May 8, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
    44. ↑ Sanderson, Wes (August 11, 2025). "Reaching New Heights". Sports Business Journal. Retrieved August 11, 2025.
    45. 1 2 3 "Asistencia" [Attendance]. Liga MX. Archived from the original on May 1, 2023.
    46. ↑ "A Look Back At The NPF Year 2015". NPF. Archived from the original on November 28, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2016.
    47. ↑ Kennedy, Paul (October 13, 2022). "Crowd Count: MLS attendance tops 10 million for first time". Soccer America . Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
    48. ↑ "2022 USL Championship Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. October 17, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
    49. ↑ "Schedule". Canadian Premier League . Retrieved July 17, 2023.
    50. ↑ "2022 USL League One Attendance". Soccer Stadium Digest. October 15, 2022. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
    51. ↑ "Record-breaking 2023-24 Barclays WSL season concludes" (Press release). The Football Association. June 21, 2024. Retrieved September 8, 2024.
    52. 1 2 3 Baer, Bettina. "WOMEN'S FOOTBALL LEAGUE ATTENDANCES CONTINUE TO GROW, AS UNDERSTANDING OF FANS BUILDS ACROSS EUROPE". Two Circles. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
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