April 25 – The latest Premier League capacity tracker data reveals a match week that hovered near average in terms of overall attendance, with stadiums filling to just under 98% of their total capacity. However, the figures were heavily influenced by two notable outliers: Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City.
Spurs’ attendance figures were particularly concerning, recording their lowest of the season with just 94.37% occupancy. The severe underperformance in the stands is a side effect of a dismal season for Ange Postecoglou’s side, who sit 16th in the Premier League with 37 points (42 points adrift of leaders Liverpool).
The only silver lining of a thoroughly disappointing year domestically is their tangible shot at the Europa League title, with a semi-final date booked next week against Norwegian side Bodo Glimt – it goes without saying that this is the best chance the team has had to land silverware in years.
Leicester City, freshly relegated after a loss to Liverpool, also saw a dip in attendance, further highlighting their struggles this season. The Foxes’ dismal showing in the Premier League has certainly left its mark on the stands, with fans clearly reflecting their discontent in the stands. Add Jamie Vardy’s newly-announced intention to leave the club at the end of the season, and it has been a truly woeful week to be a fan of the foxes.
But removing these two outliers paints a far more positive picture for the week’s attendance. Without Spurs and Leicester dragging down the numbers, the overall percentage rises to an impressive 98.6%, a near season’s best.
Those low scores were offset by five entries into the 99% club – led by West Ham United’s 99.94% capacity for their 1-1 draw versus championship-bound Southampton. The Hammers’ strong turnout reflects the continued loyalty of their supporters, even as the club’s season remains one of mixed results.
They are joined by Manchester United (99.34%), Arsenal (99.12%), Aston Villa (99.30%) and Brentford (99.03%), matching the record of five clubs to surpass the 99% boundary in a single match week.
Old Trafford predictably held the highest attendance of the match week at 73,819, coming alongside their highest attendance of the league season – though it was met with a disappointing 0-1 loss to Wolves. Despite sitting 14th in the table, there is clearly some hope left in the Old Trafford faithful – perhaps injected via Harry Maguire’s late goal to defeat Lyon in last week’s Europa League quarter final thriller.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1745601639labto1745601639ofdlr1745601639owedi1745601639sni@g1745601639niwe.1745601639yrrah1745601639