April 17 – Matchweek 32 in the Premier League saw stadiums filled to an impressive average of 97.98% capacity, maintaining what has become the norm for much of the season. Yet, behind the headline figure, a more nuanced picture is emerging — particularly at the Etihad.
Newcastle United led the way this weekend with an attendance figure of 99.89%, as a raucous St James’ Park crowd watched their side sweep aside Manchester United in a 4-1 victory. The result not only solidified Newcastle’s Champions League ambitions but also underscored the strength of support behind Eddie Howe’s team – even with Howe himself watching from a hospital bed with pneumonia.
Joining them in the “99% club” this week were Nottingham Forest and Arsenal — clubs where fan backing remains one of the few certainties in an unpredictable campaign.
At the other end of the table, however, Manchester City (95.4%) and Southampton (94.7%) found themselves lagging behind. City, despite a return to form on the pitch, are facing growing concerns off it. The club has recorded its lowest season-long average attendance since COVID, with 2,511 empty seats during their 5-2 win over Crystal Palace marking the latest in a long string of bad turnouts.
The drop-off may be a side effect of supporter protests against the club’s ongoing partnership with Viagogo, the controversial ticket resale platform. Some fans chose to remain outside the ground until the ninth minute in protest for City’s face–off against Leicester last week — an unfortunate moment for Jack Grealish to end his long goalscoring drought, in front of a sparsely populated stand.
It raises questions about the nature of City’s fan engagement and whether continued success on the pitch is now a prerequisite for filling the stands. If the current atmosphere is any indication, the club may need to rethink its approach to fan relations — especially as the novelty of relentless domestic dominance begins to wane.
Southampton’s lower turnout is more easily explained. With relegation already confirmed, enthusiasm on the south coast has naturally dipped. But even so, the lack of energy in the stands is a stark contrast to clubs still fighting for European places.
As the season draws to a close, with many teams now treading water, the league’s attendance figures remain robust — but they also continue to expose the underlying dynamics of modern fan culture.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1744888860labto1744888860ofdlr1744888860owedi1744888860sni@g1744888860niwe.1744888860yrrah1744888860
