MLS Attendance Leaders: Average Crowds, Records, and Trends by Team

Attendance tells the story behind the story in Major League Soccer. Big crowds amplify home-field advantage, fuel revenue, and signal how well a club connects with its market. This evergreen guide explains how MLS attendance is tracked, highlights historical leaders and records, and surfaces long-term trends that shape who tops the charts.

For live, season-to-date numbers, use the official sources linked throughout.

Current MLS Attendance Snapshot (Last Updated: August 2025)

For up-to-the-minute team averages and totals, check:

• MLSsoccer.com – Official Stats (filter for attendance)
• FBRef – MLS Miscellaneous (Attendance)

How MLS Tracks Attendance

MLS reports attendance at the match level and aggregates by team for season averages and totals. Most public datasets rely on the figure reported by the club on match day. Regular-season attendance is tracked separately from playoffs, and neutral-site or special-event matches are typically flagged in game logs.

Where to find definitions and raw figures:

• MLSsoccer.com – Stats (official source)
• FBRef – MLS Miscellaneous (team-by-team averages and totals)

Historic Attendance Leaders and Records

Over the years, several clubs have set the pace for MLS attendance. Big markets, soccer-specific stadiums, and successful eras all play a role.

• Atlanta United — Known for record single-game and season averages at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, including multiple 70k+ crowds (Wikipedia club page; aggregate records discussed on FBRef – Misc).
• Seattle Sounders — Longstanding leaders with strong fan culture at Lumen Field (Wikipedia club page; historical trends via FBRef).
• LA Galaxy — Early-era standard bearer, helped anchor MLS’s growth in the 2000s (Wikipedia club page).

Broader historical context and cross-league comparisons can be found on Wikipedia – Attendance by leagues and team pages on FBRef (Misc).

Trends That Shape MLS Attendance

• Stadium type and capacity: Soccer-specific stadiums tend to sell out more often, but NFL-scale venues enable record-breaking single-game numbers (capacity context often noted on Wikipedia – Soccer-specific stadiums).
• On-field success: Winning seasons and star signings (e.g., marquee DPs) correlate with attendance spikes (track performance on FBRef – Team Stats).
• Market momentum: Expansion clubs often see early surges if they nail branding, supporter culture, and downtown access.
• Schedule and eventization: Rivalry days, doubleheaders, and special promotions can create outlier crowds that lift averages.

Reading the Numbers: Average vs. Total, Home vs. Special Events

Average attendance smooths out schedule quirks, while total attendance rewards high-capacity venues and deep home schedules. Some clubs also schedule a few matches in larger alternate venues to boost totals—handy to note when comparing like-for-like seasons.

To validate and compare, use:

• FBRef – Misc (Attendance) for season-by-season tables
• MLSsoccer.com – Stats for official reporting

Case Studies: What Fuels Top Attendance?

• Big Venue, Big Matchday: Clubs leveraging NFL-sized venues for marquee fixtures can post record single-game crowds—especially with star opponents or rivalry branding (examples often logged on FBRef game logs and team pages).
• Supporter Culture: Tifo traditions, drumlines, and march-to-the-match rituals sustain attendance even during middling seasons (club histories on Wikipedia, e.g., Atlanta United supporters and Seattle Sounders supporters).
• Star Power: Signings that move the needle (global or national-team stars) can push averages up, especially immediately after arrival (track roster moves on Transfermarkt).

How to Track Attendance Live

Keep these bookmarked for ongoing updates and historical comparisons:

• MLSsoccer.com – Official Stats
• FBRef – MLS Miscellaneous (Attendance)
• Wikipedia – Attendance figures overview

Conclusion

MLS attendance reflects far more than ticket sales—it’s a barometer of club health, community connection, and the league’s broader momentum. Whether you’re comparing historic leaders, checking this season’s averages, or studying what drives packed houses, the resources above will keep you current. We’ll continue tracking the trends at MLSS/U and spotlighting the clubs that turn their home grounds into fortresses.