MLS Attendance Statistics 2012 Week 6

The major markets in New York, LA and DC are all showing slightly negative trends compared to the average for last year. It is, however, just the start of the season. And maybe it has to do with how the team is performing? Perhaps for LA that is the case. Indeed, the reigning champs have won only twice this season. Worth considering also is their cross-town rivals, Chivas USA. They were trailing the lot in relative attendance terms and we were getting a bit worried with the low numbers. However, these numbers have been amended to reflect the true capacity at the Home Depot Center for Chivas: 18800.

Another city with a marked change from last year, and indeed past seasons, is Toronto FC. The first MLS Canadian team has yet to win this season, with their sole victory coming in LA in Champions League play. Their numbers are down sharply by over 1,000 seats. In relative terms they are at 83%, a far cry from the sold-out BMO Field of a couple of years ago. Aaron Winter will need to work something quick to get this team back in shape ahead of the Canadian Championship battle for a Champions League berth. 

The numbers:

Team	Average	Relative	Median
DC	13817	56	14410
KC	18671	101	19600
NE	11657	58	11657
CLB	14857	73	14857
TOR	19163	83	18944
CHI	14282	71	14282
NYRB	17184	68	17114
PHI	18470	100	18526
HOU
MON	41016	202	41016
LA	22233	82	21734
CHV	11853	63	13372
DAL	15072	74	14184
SJ	14289	136	10525
COL	13954	77	13954
RSL	18554	93	18531
SEA	38419	100	38332
POR	20438	100	20438
VAN	18592	89	19394