"When the stadium announcer reads out the attendance during England home games, the immediate question that follows relates to the drop-off between the number of tickets sold and the number of fans through the doors. In 2025, on either side of a phenomenal European title defence in Switzerland, the Lionesses played eight home games, including three at Wembley. Across those fixtures, almost 48,000 bought tickets but stayed away."
"There has been criticism of the empty seats, at Wembley in particular, especially after games announced as sell-outs. Why does this gap exist? Is the criticism fair? What does the Football Association need to do to start ensuring ticket holders turn up? England are, in many respects, victims of their own success. A high bar has been set by attendances since the 2022 Euros."
"Across the world, the attendances for women's football in England at both domestic and international fixtures are envied. The second-tier WSL2 had one of Europe's highest cumulative attendances last season. The US women's national team achieved a peak attendance of 32,303 in 2025, for a friendly against Brazil at the 70,240-capacity SoFi stadium. That was the only crowd at their 15 home matches to break 30,000 and only three others attracted more than 20,000 spectators."
"England had a cumulative attendance in 2025 of 302,238 across eight home games, with an average attendance of 37,780 and the final two games brought a combined attendance of more than 94,000 in four days. England have benefited from increased interest in the team in a Euros year but in 2024, with no major tournament, they had an average attendance of 42,770 across seven home games with a peak audience of 78,346 for a friendly against the US at Wembley."
Significant numbers of ticket-holders did not attend England home games in 2025, producing notable empty seats despite sell-outs and strong demand. Across eight home fixtures, including three at Wembley, almost 48,000 ticket-holders stayed away. England recorded a cumulative 302,238 attendance in 2025, averaging 37,780, with the final two games drawing more than 94,000 in four days. Domestic interest remains high, with WSL2 among Europe's top cumulative attendances. Comparisons show the US women’s national team had lower average attendances in 2025 and only one home crowd exceeded 30,000, underscoring the relative strength of England attendances.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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