Admittedly, the title does provide a strong clue for what to expect, but the ranking that we have may raise an eye. The League One campaign ahead of the 2025/2026 season seems to boast a number of teams that are starting to outstay their welcome. Maybe next season could be the start for matches that offer wider score-lines with familiarity pitted against quality.
Who will be top? Do they deserve it? Let’s find out.
# 1 Top of the league, and top here too
Birmingham City soar to the summit of League One home attendances with a sumptuous average of 26,283 fans per match. Their season ticket pricing has been competitive, starting at £349 for adult tickets include £149 for juniorseason tickets. Purchasing home tickets at general sale costed £23 to £25 per adult priced fairly against season ticket prices; this pricing can turn 20,000 into 25,000.
The club’s marketing initiatives proved to be smart; targeted social media campaigns and themed matchdays, such as ‘Kids for a Quid’ events to develop their fanbase. Birmingham City’s ‘Blues 4 All’ projects aim to reach fans inunderrepresented groups.
The club took a venture into the unknown by offering a stage to win fans with local street food vendors. The addition of fan zones and entertainment for families contributes to a lively pre-match atmosphere. The club also partners with local schools and charities, providing discounted or subsidisedtickets to encourage new fans and strengthen community links.
#2 The Trotters have a reason to smile
An average home attendance of 21,325 but this does fall over 7,000 short of maximum attendance. Season ticket prices for adults started at £299, with junior tickets from £79 and family bundles options. The club has also introduced innovative payment plans to offer alternative payment structures.
Community outreach is deep-rooted; the club’s “Wanderers in the Community” scheme focuses on engaging local schools, supporting mental health initiatives, and providing inclusive football sessions for people of all ages. This type of feature like this encourage fans to prioritise the club at the weekend.
On matchdays, the University of Bolton Stadium is renowned for its range of food and drink, from classic pies, sausage rolls, and to locally brewed ales. The Family Stand features entertainment and interactive zones, with the focus on younger fans.
Bolton Wanderers create a safe and inclusive atmosphere to ensure season ticket marketing retention activities remain effective.
# 3 Huddersfield edge close to 19,000
The Terriers may not have reached the play-offs, but the club can be proud to reach an average home attendance of 18,817. Season ticket prices are among the most reasonably priced in League One, early-bird adult prices from £249 and juniors from just £39.
The club’s ‘Terriers Together’ campaign focuses on inclusivity and family engagement, with family ticket deals and free tickets for under-8s.
Marketing efforts include strong digital presence, city-centre pop-up events, and school roadshows, all designed to boost local enthusiasm and broaden the fan base.
Community initiatives are at the heart of the club, with the Huddersfield Town Foundation delivering breakfast clubs, educational workshops, and free football sessions to thousands of local children.
The John Smith’s Stadium stands out for its food and drinks variety, offering everything from traditional pies to vegan options with pints ranging from £4.80 to £5.20. The club has hosted themed matchdays ‘Heritage Day’ or ‘Women in Football’ occasions.
#4 Charlton fans trusted the process for promotion
The club managed to achieve promotion coupled with a home attendance average of 15,255. Their adult season ticketsstarted at £260, with special prices for seniors at £200, and younger supporters at £60. Matchday tickets are generally priced from £20 for adults, with frequent offers for students and local community groups.
Charlton’s marketing initiatives are diverse, including ‘Community Matchdays’ to highlight local causes and former players. The ‘Charlton Upbeats’ program exemplifies their inclusion work, celebrating fans and athletes with Down’s syndrome and regularly hosting awareness events.
Matchday food and drink have been upgraded, with locally inspired options like Brick Lane bagels (£3.50) and South London craft beers (£5–£5.50 per pint). The stadium includesfamily zones where children can enjoy activities and meet the club mascot.
The ongoing ‘Valley Gold’ loyalty scheme rewards regular attendees with exclusive perks to encourage repeat visits. Their continual investment in the matchday experience shows highlights their steady and passionate supporter base.
#5 Celebrity owners and promotion race attracts over 12,000
Wrexham AFC’s home attendance of 12,781 is fairly remarkable for a club in League One. Season tickets started at £375 for adults and just £85 for juniors. General sale tickets are usually start from £23 per adult. The club frequently runs loyalty promotions and multi-match bundles for local families.
A key factor in Wrexham’s attendance surge is the club’s global visibility, thanks in part to high-profile ownership and the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ series. Their ‘Inclusion Initiative’brings in underrepresented community groups with an offer ofdiscounted or free tickets and specialised matchday experiences.
The Racecourse Ground features an enhanced food courtincluding Welsh pies (£4.20), gourmet burgers (£5.50), and local ales at £4.80 per pint. The club has also upgraded fan zones, with live music and family-friendly entertainment.
The Wrexham AFC Community Trust host grassroots football, educational workshops, and health awareness projects. The combined aspects of media attraction, inclusive policies, and continual matchday initiatives enabled Wrexham to reach 5th placed from 23.
What Are Your Thoughts On The Top Five Average EFL League One Attendances?
Let us know if you have bought a season ticket for the upcoming League 1 campaign and were you happy with the price you have paid. Or, are you waiting for the club to impress you and letting 2026 home-run be the pre-cursor for your loyalty.
