March 14 – Match week 28 saw Premier League crowds turn out in force, with a record-matching five clubs hitting 99%+ capacity — a total score of 98.627% comfortably surpassing the season-high league average of 97.9%. While Liverpool remain 15 points clear at the top table, effectively ending any title drama, the fight for European spots and survival is keeping the stands packed.
Leading the 99% club this week were West Ham (99.94%), Brentford (99.54%), Brighton (99.08%), Nottingham Forest (99.33%) and Manchester United (99.33%). The latter recorded their highest attendance of the season as nearly 74,000 fans filled Old Trafford for their 1-1 draw with Arsenal, watching Bruno Fernandes’ stunning free-kick before Declan Rice’s equally brilliant equaliser.
In East London, 62,463 fans piled in to the London Stadium on Monday night for West Ham’s 0-1 loss to Newcastle, leaving just 37 seats cold.
Not all clubs enjoyed such strong backing. Wolves posted the lowest capacity percentage of the round, single-handedly preventing an overall 99% average. Meanwhile, Tottenham’s crowd for their game against Bournemouth was underwhelming, likely a reflection of growing fan frustration in a season that has failed to inspire.
That being said, the overall average of 98.627% is a huge upgrade on figures since the new year, even coming close to eclipsing the opening day of the season (98.8%).
Next week will see only nine matches, with Newcastle United and Liverpool destined for Wembley in their Carabao Cup final clash.
With just ten games to go, the title may be all but wrapped up, but the packed stadiums prove that the battle for European places, survival, and pride is far from over.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1741972856labto1741972856ofdlr1741972856owedi1741972856sni@g1741972856niwe.1741972856yrrah1741972856