TWENTY-SIX clubs across Europe averaged crowds of 50,000-plus in the 2025-26 season, one of which – Schalke 04 – played in the second tier of German football. Of the 26, eight were from the Premier League, which has seen some significant increases in stadium capacity in the past two years. Liverpool and Manchester City have become 60,000 clubs, while Everton’s new home takes them into the 50,000 category. With Real Madrid and Barcelona also benefitting from stadium refurbishment projects, it is clear Europe’s big clubs have realised the need to generate more income from matchday operations.
The big five leagues attracted 60 million spectators in 2025-26 with the Premier League top of the list at 15.8 million. The Premier has a utilisation rate of 97%, so there is limited upside at most clubs. The division’s capacity ranges from Manchester United’s 74,000 to Bournemouth’s 12,000 to the imbalance is huge. The Premier was up by 3% to an average of 41,655. Thirteen of the 20 clubs saw their crowds increase with Everton – due to their new stadium – growing by 33%.
Attendances in most of Europe’s big leagues all increased in 2025-26, including Turkey (23.1%), Slovakia (20.5%) and Bulgaria (+19.7%) but there were also more than a dozen that were down. The biggest drop was in Macedonia (-26.5%), Romania (-12%) and Moldova (-9.7%).
Among the big five, the Bundesliga rose by 9.5% to an average of 42,235. Germany has two of the biggest draws in Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich and Schalke’s return to the top flight will undoubtedly raise the average gate still further. But the Bundesliga also includes clubs like Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Hamburg all of whom can attract huge crowds.
France’s Ligue 1 was the only league among the big five that saw a drop in 2025-26. The decline was only 1.7% but was mostly attributable to Saint-Étienne’s relegation and the promotion of two clubs – Metz and Paris – with smaller drawing power. But only six of Ligue 1’s 18 clubs saw their attendances increase in 2025-26. The big three, PSG, Lyon and Marseille, were all watched by fewer spectators.
Spain’s crowds were up by 3% to an average of 30,959 and they should rise again when Barcelona’s stadium is at full capacity once again. Both Barcelona and Real Madrid experienced slightly smaller crowds, but with the additional impetus of the national team’s World Cup win, La Liga may see multiple benefits in 2026-27.
Italian football is at a low ebb due to three successive World Cup failures, but the two Milan clubs play before some of the biggest crowds in Europe. Both average more than 70,000 at the San Siro. Overall, Serie A’s crowds were flat, averaging 30,739, but only half of the division showed a positive result on 2024-25.
The highest increases among clubs were often found at those that in their first post-promotion campaigns. For example, Sassuolo in Italy (+155%), Portugal’s Alverca (+174%), Elche of Spain (+44%), Paris FC (+64%) and Telstar in the Dutch Eredivisie (+100%). Success is also a magnet for crowds, Thun of Switzerland who won the title in 2025-26, enjoyed a 90% rise.
Game of the People was founded in 2012 and is ranked among the 100 best football websites by various sources. The site consistently wins awards for its work, across a broad range of subjects. [View all posts by Neil Fredrik Jensen](https://gameofthepeople.com/author/georgefjord/)