Auckland FC attract capacity crowd for debut — but how does it ...

Auckland FC’s first game in the A-League drew a capacity crowd of 24,492 to the club’s home ground, Go Media Stadium Mt Smart.

But how does the crowd size compare to others in the A-League, and for football matches played in New Zealand?

Main photo: The crowd at Go Media Stadium learns the match attendance from the ground’s main screen. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.

First matches by new A-League clubs

The four biggest debut crowds:

25,208 — Sydney FC, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, August 28, 2005

24,492 — Auckland FC, Go Media Stadium Mt Smart, Auckland, October 19, 2024

20,725 — Brisbane Roar, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, August 28, 2005

17,960 — Melbourne Victory, Olympic Park, Melbourne, September 4, 2004

Recent debuts by expansion clubs

10,128 — Western United (2019)

7,723 — Macarthur (2020)

A crowd of 14,421 attended the inaugural fixture of Wellington Phoenix when they played Melbourne Victory in 2007.

Go Media Stadium starting to fill before Auckland FC’s debut match. Average attendances

Last season, Sydney topped the attendances, averaging 14,107 for their 16 games.

The Phoenix had the league’s third best figures, with an average attendance of 10,680 for their 14 home fixtures.

Western United had the lowest attendances with an average gate of 3,274.

The Port … Auckland FC’s supporters’ group led the vocal backing from the South Stand at Go Media Stadium. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek. Attendances for the men’s A-League

Here are the average gates for the past 10 seasons:

8,589 (2023-24)

7,982 (2022-23)

5,650 (2021-22)

5,694 (2020-21)

8,630 (2019-20)

10,864 (2018-19)

10,912 (2017-18)

12,650 (2016-17)

12,691 (2015-16)

13,033 (2014-15)

Eden Park was filled to capacity three times during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. New Zealand football matches

In New Zealand football history, 18 games have drawn crowds of more than 30,000, most of them staged during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Last season’s A-League play-off semi-final between Wellington Phoenix and Melbourne Victory set a record for a club match staged in New Zealand, attracting 33,298 fans.

READ MORE: For the record: A-League semi-final sets new milestone for attendance >>>>

Result

Game played on Saturday October 19, 2024

Auckland FC 2 (own goal 8′, Logan Rogerson 74′) Brisbane Roar 0

READ MORE: History made as Auckland FC get off to winning start in men’s A-League >>>>

WATCH: Highlights from Auckland FC’s first-ever men’s A-League match >>>>

WATCH: Auckland FC meet the media after groundbreaking A-League win >>>>

This story was first published on October 20, 2024.

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