October 24 – Premier League attendances remained high following the international break, with Matchday 8 posting an average stadium capacity of 97.81% – up slightly from the previous round, marginally above the season’s overall average of 97.72%.
Across the ten fixtures, 8,405 seats were left empty, pushing the cumulative total for the campaign past 70,000 unfilled seats across 80 matches – a small fraction given the Premier League’s vast weekly footfall.
West Ham United, Nottingham Forest and Brighton, who each reached the 99% capacity mark.
At the other end of the scale, Fulham (92.05%) and Sunderland (95.63%) dipped below the week’s average, dragging down otherwise buoyant numbers from across the top flight. Fulham, in particular, continue to lag behind the league’s attendance leaders, having recorded below-average figures in every home fixture so far. With the most expensive season ticket in the Premier League, some will argue that Craven Cottage’s recurring empty seats reflects more than just fixture timing.
Sunderland, meanwhile, readjusting to becoming a Premier League club once again, are armed with a 48,707-seater stadium that hasn’t been full for some time.
In contrast, West Ham’s fanbase continues to defy the team’s form, packing the London Stadium despite a 2–0 defeat to Brentford. Nottingham Forest fans mirrored that resilience, filling the City Ground even as another loss – this time to Chelsea – brought an abrupt end to Ange Postecoglou’s brief 39-day tenure in charge, half of which was spent on international duty.
Brighton also returned to the 99% club, with the Amex near capacity for their 2–1 win over Newcastle United. The Seagulls travel to Old Trafford next weekend, where another sell-out is expected following Manchester United’s dramatic 2–1 victory over rivals Liverpool at Anfield.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1761310747labto1761310747ofdlr1761310747owedi1761310747sni@g1761310747niwe.1761310747yrrah1761310747