2024 USL League One Attendance Report

Overall attendance slightly down from 2023, but up in several markets.

With the 2024 USL League One season closing out this weekend, we have a final report on league-wide match attendance. Each side had 11 regular season home matches, and then up to four Jägermeister Cup matches for a guaranteed 15 total league matches.

Total announced attendance: 406,314* (-6.2% from 2023)
Total estimated attendance: 423,526* (-2.2%)
USL League One Average announced attendance: 2,335 (-1.4%)
Average estimated attendance: 2,314

*Attendance not announced for nine matches. Estimates replaced unannounced matches with team’s season average.

1) Richmond Kickers

2024 Announced Average: 4,786 (-5.7%)

Image credit Richard Hayes/RVAHub

Leading the way for the second season in a row was the Richmond Kickers organization with an average of 4,515. While slightly down from the 2023 average of 4,786, and no announced sellouts after experiencing two in 2023, Richmond still welcomed 67,727 fans through its gates for league play. Richmond also never dropped below 3,551 fans, after experiencing three below that number in 2023. City Stadium might not have sold out, but match day consistency was slightly higher.

2) Forward Madison

2024 Announced Average: 4,137 (-4%)

Image credit Szymon Raczkowiak/Attack City FC

Forward Madison came in second with an average attendance of 4,137. Two matches, the Jägermeister Cup semi-final and the ninth home match did not have an announced attendance. Assuming average attendance for each of these, Madison welcome approximately 66,200 fans through the gates this season. Average attendance was slightly down from 2023’s 4,310. While no matches appear to have sold out, Madison came close on multiple dates.

3) Spokane Velocity

2024 Announced Average: 3,913

Image credit Ryan Harnetiaux

Spokane Velocity shined in its inaugural season, with an average of 3,913 fans per match, including a sold out opener. The team welcomed 58,690 fans through the gates of One Spokane Stadium. With high rates of season ticket ownership, we expect next season to remain steady or increase.

4) Union Omaha

2024 Announced Average: 3,333 (+10%)

Image credit Omaha Parliament/Katherine Rzonca

Union Omaha placed fourth, and actually increased average attendance over 2023’s 3,030 with a 2024 average of 3,333. The mid-season appeal from team owner Gary Green appears to have worked, with attendance on a notable upswing during the second half of the season. Union Omaha’s ownership recently split with the Omaha Storm Chasers minor league baseball team, but will continue to play in their stadium until a soccer-specific stadium is built closer to downtown Omaha, either in 2026 or 2027. At that point, Union Omaha has stated their intention to move into the USL Championship.

5) Chattanooga Red Wolves

2024 Announced Average: 2,309 (-3.5%)

Image credit Chattanooga Red Wolves

Chattanooga Red Wolves rounded out the top five with an average of 2,309. The number was nearly the same as 2023’s average of 2,392, despite two seasons of underperformance on the pitch. Given the club competes with MLS Next Pro side Chattanooga FC, which draws upwards of 4,000, have the Red Wolves found their steady number? Or is there still room to expand in a tight market?

6) Greenville Triumph

2024 Announced Average: 2,071 (-1%)

Image credit Kevin Garcia

Greenville had a tiny decline from 2023’s average of 2,092, ending the season with an average of 2,071. One match was played behind closed doors due to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Greenville has been without its own stadium since joining the league in 2019, a situation that should be fixed in the next two seasons according to what we’re hearing about a big announcement coming on Wednesday. We’re confident that can boost attendance in years to come.

Note: the original version of this article did not include the final match of the season, which was not submitted to the league due to a ticket system issue; the figure was sent over by the club after publication, and the above text was updated accordingly.

7) One Knoxville

2024 Announced Average: 1,770 (-13%)

Image credit One Knoxville SC

Knoxville saw a slight decline in average attendance in its second professional season, dropping from 2,034 to 1,770 (one match was not reported). While Knoxville plays on a much better pitch than Greenville, they also currently lease their stadium space from a university. However, Knoxville will be moving across town to the new Covenant Health Park for the 2025 season. The more ideal location should drive higher attendance moving forward.

8) Northern Colorado Hailstorm

2024 Announced Average: 1,522 (+52.7%)

Image credit Northern Colorado Hailstorm

Despite the reported financial woes of the organization, and the primary stadium never materializing, NOCO saw a significant increase in average attendance this season, jumping from 997 in 2023 to 1,522 in 2024. This was driven by all matches exceeding 1,119 fans, as well as a highly attended Jägermeister Cup final, and the final match of the regular season.

9) Lexington SC

2024 Announced Average: 1,438 (-35.6%)

Image credit Jon Hunt

Like Knoxville, Lexington also saw a decline in attendance in its second season in the league. The club averaged 1,438 fans, a season after averaging 2,232. Lexington also had a less-than-ideal stadium situation in nearby Georgetown in a facility that did not allow alcohol sales. By the end of the season, Lexington had moved into its own Lexington SC Stadium, and saw a definite boost by the final match of the season, with 3,125 in attendance. Lexington will move to the USL Championship in 2025.

10) South Georgia Tormenta

2024 Announced Average: 1,107 (-16.3%)

Image credit Caroline Boykin/South Georgia Tormenta

The league’s smallest market side was once again not its lowest attended, finishing with an average of 1,107 (one match was not reported). Still, this was slightly down from 2023’s average of 1,322.

11) Charlotte Independence

2024 Announced Average: 1,045 (-34.7%)

Image credit Charlotte Independence

The league’s largest market side was second-to-last in average attendance, and with an average of 1,045, saw a significant decline from 2023’s 1,601. The club continues to reposition itself in USL League One and in the Charlotte market after dropping from the USL Championship when MLS side Charlotte FC moved into town.

12) Central Valley Fuego

2024 Announced Average: 725 (-5.6%)

Image credit Central Valley Fuego FC

Average attendance ended at 725, with three matches not reported. The club was dealt a blow at the start of the season by Fresno State University, losing access to a significant portion of the stadium due to safety issues that appear to have never been resolved. This reduced capacity from 3,000 to 1,000. Despite this, the club did reach 90% capacity four times, with two announced as sellouts. We’ve heard a new stadium is in its early stages, and remain hopeful that Fuego can pull that off in the next two years.