Who said La Liga in August was a snooze fest? Well, whoever it was, they need to have a word with the nearly 90% of fans who filled the stadiums for the first weekend of La Liga. Yes, you read that right—almost 90% occupancy, and it’s August!
In a world where air conditioning is a survival tool, La Liga’s first weekend of the 2024-2025 season saw fans braving the heat to support their teams. The result? A staggering 90% stadium occupancy across the league. This is no small feat, especially considering the usual gripes about August games being too hot or too inconvenient.
Historically, August has been the month of empty seats and echoing stadiums. But this year, the narrative changed. The Camp Nou, Santiago Bernabéu, and Metropolitano may have been sidelined, but the fans were anything but absent. Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid all started the season away from home, yet the total attendance hit an impressive 313,849—a figure that hadn’t been surpassed in a decade.
Three stadiums—Mestalla, La Cerámica, and Balaídos—surpassed 90% occupancy, while Son Moix, Benito Villamarín, and San Mamés weren’t far behind. Clearly, fans are more excited than ever, and this can be attributed to a consistent rise in season ticket holders across the league. For five consecutive years, we’ve seen an upward trend in match-day attendance, barring the COVID-19 affected seasons.
Let’s rewind to the 2018-2019 season. The opening weekend saw a mere 67.8% occupancy. Fast forward to now, and we’ve got nearly a 20-point jump. It’s a testament to the growing allure of La Liga, even in the sweltering heat of August. And speaking of heat, the fans’ love for their teams seems to be the only thing hotter.
Expert opinions are unanimous: the increase in attendance isn’t just a fluke. The allure of top-tier football, the excitement of new signings, and the sheer love for the game are driving fans back to the stadiums. Even smaller venues like Son Moix saw a 29% increase in attendance compared to last year, thanks in part to stadium renovations and, of course, marquee players like Mbappé making appearances.
The implications are significant. Higher attendance means more revenue, more vibrant atmospheres, and ultimately, a more competitive league. It’s a win-win for everyone involved, from the players to the fans to the clubs’ coffers. The only downside? More people will now have to fight for those precious season tickets.
So, there you have it. The myth that La Liga’s August games are a drag has been thoroughly debunked. Fans are more engaged than ever, and if this trend continues, we might just see full houses becoming the norm, regardless of the month. The beautiful game, it seems, is alive and kicking—heatwave be damned.
Source(s): El récord de asistencia en diez años tira por tierra el relato de que LaLiga en agosto no interesa
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