Record total attendance: World Cup average attendance below 1994 figure

Record overall balance, lower average

The lower average is explained by the significantly increased number of matches and participants. For the first time, 48 teams are competing, which increases the number of encounters compared to previous tournaments. The additional matches distribute stadium attendance across more games and thus lower the average, even if stadium utilization remains high overall.

The Azteca Stadium in Mexico City has attracted the most spectators so far. According to FIFA, 404,120 fans watched the matches there. However, there were visibly empty seats at numerous matches, especially during the group stage.

Azteca Stadium tops the stadium ranking

FIFA nevertheless pointed out that 99.7 percent of all available seats at the World Cup had been occupied. The official statistics refer to the tickets available per match.

The look at the average illustrates the impact of the expanded format. While in 1994 an average of just under 69,000 people were in the stadiums across 52 matches, fan attendance is now spread across more matches. This lowers the average, although the overall balance continues to rise.

Impact of the expanded format

With regard to the upcoming matches, the average value is likely to change. Should the remaining matches – including the semifinals, the third-place match and the final – be attended above average, the average could still just about reach the 1994 figure.

The course so far also shows that large stadiums in the three host countries USA, Mexico and Canada are driving the growth of the overall balance. FIFA had already anticipated records in advance, as the expanded tournament format significantly increases the number of fixtures.