MLS on track to break historic attendance records

As soccer continues to grow in the United States, stadiums across the country have drawn 6.5 million supporters in just four months.

William GittinsWillGittUpdate: Jun 24th, 2024 14:01 EDT0

Katie StratmanUSA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The growth of soccer continues apace in the United States and, although eyes have now turned to Copa América, new data from MLS show the extent of the game’s growth.

Just four months into the season, the number of fans attending MLS games in 2024 is already at 6.5 million. That p is 725,000 higher than the same point last season. We’ve already seen 15 games with more than 40,000 supporters, which is also a record for this stage of the season.

6.5M of our favorite people. ❤️Our '24 season has been the biggest one to date: https://t.co/MaLwawLljS pic.twitter.com/TaHid4Q7UA

— Major League Soccer (@MLS) June 24, 2024

The in-stadium increase is particularly impressive considering the development of Apple TV’s MLS Season Pass, which has given supporters across the country the chance to watch every single game with a single subscription. In comparison to other nations – where easy-to-watch televised games are said to harm in-stadium attendances – greater coverage appears to have stimulated interest in the league.

Why are MLS crowds getting bigger?

Of course, the arrival of Lionel Messi and the rest of the Barcelona contingent has helped to push interest in MLS to new heights. The largest crowd of 2024 to date was Inter Miami’s trip to Sporting Kansas City, which drew more than 72,000 fans. MLS commissioner Don Garber paid tribute to Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham, who has central to Messi’s move to the States.

“I think all of you know he’s done well,” Garber told reporters. “It’s been great for Major League Soccer. It’s great for Inter Miami. This is very much about where we were in 2007 and where we are today. Somebody wrote this article or a headline that said ‘Will David Beckham change the course of soccer in América?’ He didn’t just do it once, he did it twice.”