Welcome to the league just outside of The Premier League with every season offering excitement from August to May as per usual. Yes, you can argue that this article does not focus on percentages; money talks here. If you really want to do the numbers, I will provide the source when you look at the stats.
1. The Black Cats are in luck
Sitting comfortably in 1st place are Sunderland with an average of 40,425 with a full capacity of 48,707. Here is a stat you may not know, the nature of its design would allow it to be expanded to whopping 84,000. Fans may also be lured here for reasons beyond football; food.
The 2024-2045 season menu is varied with possibly room for development. But they do possess a special offer guide for food and drink : https://sunderlandbid.co.uk/news/sunderland-match-day-guide/
By the looks of it, the city has clearly pulled together to entice home and away fans to keep it loud and proud. And, the club will have profited from their racketeering fans with 929,777 fans visiting across 23 league games, including home and away fans.
The club also managed make the following investments for the promotion winning season. Are Sunderland satisfied with the developments, or are you keen to see more developments as soon as possible?
Did you notice the difference :
- New PA System
- New floodlights
- New playing surface
- Installation of 5G
2. The White Roses of Leeds
A club that will never let you forget its European history, with constant following of loyal fans is Leeds United. An average of 36,134 fans with a total of 831,077 attendees across the season, the club will also have enjoyed the profits of its league winning campaign.
Fans will expect that no damages were caused by the Formula 1 escapade by Willy Gnonto, Largie Ramazani, and Isaac Schmidt seeking to outpace a Red Bull F1 car. Driver, Arvid Lindblad, pipped them to the finish line.
Leeds United are planning for long-term future in the Premier League; Elland Road plans an expansion to 53,000. Fans are encouraged to complete a survey to influence the look and feel of the increased capacity. However, any fan of any club could contribute to the survey; there is no log in required. Oops!
3. The Rams take bronze on their return
A club with ambition and expectations hope that reaching 41,000 is a matter of time but it may need to wait for Premier League football, if comments by Derby County owner, David Clowes, are to be held to account.
With a current capacity of 33,597, is an increase of less than 8,000 even worth it? Last season, the club welcomed an average of 29,018 that offered the motivation to retain its Championship status. It is commendable for a club that consistently appeared to be a relegation acquaintance.
For the traditional fan, a £4 matchday programme could be tempting, and the club are looking to relay their pitch with the hope it will transpire into a Championship ascendency. Is a £4 matchday programme, good value for money at Derby County?
When you consider their matchday prices for Championship football for the 2024/25 season, they are likely to have influenced their level of support :
Adults: £24-£32, Seniors: £18-£24, 18-21: £18-£24, 13-17: £12-£16, 6-12: £6-£8, 2-5: Free
4. Close to 90% full all season, Sheffield United
The club may have missed out on promotion, but their fanbase have given them every chance to reclaim their hopes for the upcoming season. To reach an average attendance of 28,087 against a full capacity of 32,125 should be considered a positive reflection of the fans affinity.
The club are understood to have began a process of consideration for safe standing which has proven to cause some controversy. It is known that fans would welcome 3,000 safe standing spaces with the cost of stewarding seemingly preventing the atmosphere building development. The Kennedy’s Kop stand is the selected venue for the safe standing, which does appear to be a logical location for this, but the club are not yet swayed by the Fan Advisory Board.
Also, in 2024 their local paper also reported that the club have signed a 10 year extension to their current match-day food and drink provider. A considerable 71.8% of fans were not satisfied with the providers quality and pricing – is it really that bad?
5. Lampard’s Sky Blues entice fans all season long
A season beginning with woe, allowed Lampard’s reign to almost achieve play-off heroics. Their guile, agility and depth made the club one of the best for any neutral football fan.
The club can host a maximum capacity of 32,753 and their league season average of 27,947. The club set a new record attendance in their play-off clinching game against Middlesbrough with 31,452 also watching it despite being televised.
The stats are impressive for a club that was relegated from The Premier League at the end of the 2000/2001 campaign. They enjoyed 34 consecutive seasons in the top flight, and for the 2017/2018 season were playing League 2 football.
The food is equal to a buffet assortment of everything and more – take a look at the link. Fans are spoilt for choice; pasties and pies, chips, hot dogs, mushy peas, hot dogs, burritos and nachos, burgers, pizza, cheeseburgers and a multitude of drinks too. It’s built for a show-stopping concert by the looks of it!
Take a look at their menu: https://qrfy.io/p/CBSArenafdanddrink
