March 17 – As England’s top players head overseas for the first international break of 2025, match week 29 of the Premier League has left a disappointing impression until the league resumes in two weeks.
This week saw a significant decline in Premier League attendance, with the league averaging only 97.45% capacity—one of the lowest figures of the season. Arsenal was the sole team to exceed the 99% threshold, standing alone in a club that has recently seen an increase in members.
Meanwhile, attention turned to Wembley, where Newcastle United concluded a 56-year wait for a trophy by defeating Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final, marking their first major victory since 1969.
This long-awaited success for the Magpies resulted in fans from Crystal Palace and Aston Villa missing out on an away match, which contributed to the league’s typical attendance figures being affected, particularly as St James’s Park and Anfield are usually significant contributors.
Fulham, consistently at the bottom of the attendance rankings since the season’s start, recorded a disappointing 95.38% attendance, which did not reflect the significance of their impressive victory over London rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
Also struggling with attendance is Southampton, at 95.57%, whose fluctuating numbers are unsurprising given their precarious position, which suggests a likely return to the Championship by May. This week’s defeat was particularly painful, as Juric’s team lost 2-1 at home to relegation rivals Wolves, widening the gap to safety to 17 points—nearly double Southampton’s total after 29 matches.
Manchester City, with a form percentage of 96.36%, is the third team in a trio of underperformers, experiencing a significant decline in attendance this season. Last year, they maintained a robust average of 98% while securing their fourth consecutive Premier League title. However, this season presents a stark contrast, as evidenced by the empty seats in the stadium. Since their performance dipped in November, the club has seen an average capacity of 96%, marking the lowest figure among the top six teams and the third-lowest in the Premier League overall.
Although they are currently 22 points behind Liverpool and out of the title contention, the team’s performance on the field may influence whether their supporters return in greater numbers or if the vacant seats will continue to convey a narrative of their own.
The disappointing draw against Brighton on Saturday is unlikely to alleviate this concern, although the upcoming international break may provide the team with an opportunity to regroup.
Leave a Reply