Premier League opening day attendance proportion down on 2024/25


  The curtain-raising matchday of 2025/26 Premier League action recorded an overall average of 97.91% capacity, down on last season’s opening day turnout of 98.8%.


Though it was admittedly missing some of last season’s big hitters in West Ham, Newcastle and Arsenal, the underperformance could be a cause for concern at hitting the same hights as last season; attendance hit an average of 97.8% across 38 matchdays in 2024/25, with the opening day recording the strongest turnout. 

Aston Villa opened with the best %capacity of the matchday at 99.76% – their highest on record since the Inside World Football capacity tracker began in August 2023. The on-pitch performance left a little to be desired, though, as Emery’s side drew 0-0 with a weakened Newcastle, Villa reduced to 10 men after Ezri Konsa saw red. 

The Villains were joined in the 99% club by Manchester United, whose standout crowd wasn’t quite enough to push their new-look side over the line against a stubborn Arsenal. 

At the other end of the spectrum, the lowest score of the week came from newly-promoted Sunderland (94.92%) at the Stadium of Light, now the seventh biggest ground in the league. The Black Cats stormed to a 3-0 opening day victory over West Ham, which may aid their attendance in weeks to come. 

The Premier League continues on Friday night as last season’s ‘best-attended’ side West Ham face off against Chelsea at the London Stadium, with both teams keen to grab their first win of the campaign.

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