Leeds United’s average attendance at Elland Road now compared to 10 years ago.
Leeds United have one of the largest fanbases in the country, especially in the Championship, with Elland Road regularly full to the rafters in recent seasons, which is a far cry from the state of the club ten years ago.
Leeds is situated in West Yorkshire in the North of England and is the largest one-club city in England. The likes of London, Birmingham, and Manchester are the homes of multiple clubs in the top four tiers, but most of the surrounding clubs in the Leeds area are playing non-league football at present.
That makes Leeds the highest-ranking professional side in all of West Yorkshire. Therefore, there is little excuse for them to not have a stadium at close to full capacity, and as a strong side with exceptional footballers, there is every chance that fans will flock to home games once more in 2024/25.
Elland Road is also the 15th largest football stadium in English football and has a capacity of 37,068, with only Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday able to boast larger stadiums in the second tier. Unsurprisingly, they are among the sides with the most tickets sold every week, both home and away. Last season, Elland Road was a fortress and one of the toughest places to go in the Championship all season.
Despite relegation from the Premier League last year, Leeds fans have not been deterred from supporting the side, as they have over 20,000 supporters on a season ticket waiting list and have had to reverse a planned increase in price following that recent demotion.
They sold out in almost every league fixture last season, and demand has been such that the Leeds hierarchy believe they can sustain crowds of over 50,000 regularly in English football’s top flight. They have recently revealed their plans to move the stadium’s capacity up from 37,645 to near to 53,000.
It’s no secret that the Whites have been hoping to develop their stadium, with talk of expanding the ground having been on the agenda for the past few years. However, relegation from the Premier League was always going to impact any decision.
Despite that, Angus Kinnear recently told The Square Ball podcast that they still intend to make improvements to Elland Road, which includes increasing capacity by around 15,000.
In terms of atmosphere and authenticity, many supporters would already contest that Elland Road is up there among the best stadiums to visit in the country. And, should the expansion be completed, a revamped Elland Road would be the seventh-largest stadium across England.
It would be larger than grounds such as St James’ Park, Villa Park, and Stamford Bridge, which gives context to the magnitude and ambition of Leeds’ expansion plans. Meanwhile, the stadium would be the sixth-largest in terms of club grounds, as Wembley Stadium is also on the list and ranks comfortably as the biggest in England with a capacity of 90,000.
Villa Park
42,657
Junior Firpo and Willy Gnonto
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Leeds’ attendances compared to ten years ago
Leeds United fans
Success is one key factor in having good attendances, as well as ambition shown in the market through strong recruitment and the ability to retain your best players. Back in 2014/15, Leeds had been regressing for a few years following their return to the second tier in 2010.
That meant selling their best players often after finishing 14th, 13th, and 15th in the three seasons prior. Leeds’ numbers were dwindling during those wilderness years. Per Transfermarkt, Leeds’ attendances between 2005/06 and 2016/17 ranged from between 21,600 and 27,700 on average.
Of course, prior to that and in recent years, there has been more of a spike and well above 30,000 attendances for most seasons, but it highlights what can happen when the team is lacking quality players or the football is poor in terms of entertainment.
In 2014/15, Leeds were bringing in crowds of 24,052 on average, which was more than the season after that. However, neither were anywhere near to what the club is able to bring through their gates now. They were sold out in almost every game last season, and this season has been no different. Leeds’ 2024/25 average so far is 36,274 and at close to capacity.
The 2010s, in particular, saw boycotts for some games, among other reasons not to support the various regimes that had ownership of the club as well. The club is now in a healthier and more stable place both on and off the pitch, and the extra commercial revenue gives them an advantage over their Championship peers too.
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