Ranking Top NWSL Opening Day Attendance Records As San Diego Wave FC Makes History

San Diego Waves were handed a bitter defeat at the hands of KC Current in their NWSL opener in front of their home fans. Despite taking the early lead thanks to a goal from Sofia Jakobsson, the team conceded two goals in the second half, suffering a 2-1 loss. However, while the loss might have been an upsetting turn of events, fans in attendance did their best to cheer up their side!

Their fans filled out the Snapdragon Stadium earlier tonight, with officials recording a staggering 32,066 fans in attendance. It was a history-making moment for NWSL, with the old record standing at 30,854. The NWSL has seen unparalleled success in the recent seasons, with the league reaching new heights. CBS Network recently renewed their broadcasting deal with NWSL at the start of the season, presenting them with a blockbuster deal.

With the popularity of soccer going up in the United States, the league has done wonders to capitalize on the growth. While their numbers are nowhere close to what some of the European clubs register, the newfound success is a step in the positive direction.

Top attendance records for NWSL season openers

The NWSL has witnessed some impressive attendance figures in the past few seasons. While the match between San Diego and KC Current did make the headlines, there have been some other crucial games that laid the foundation for the historic attendance record. The 2023 edition of the league saw the opening day reach 15000+ fans in attendance. That is almost 5000 more than the record from the 2022 edition. While Alex Morgan’s side will be happy making history, this is not the first time the team has crossed the landmark figure.

San Diego Waves also holds the record for the second-highest fan attendance in NWSL history. The team’s opening game at home against the Chicago Red Stars was one for the ages that saw the home team pick up a 3-2 win in a high-voltage encounter. (Attendance Recorded: 30,854)

Angel City holds the record for the third-highest attendance for an NWSL opener. The team reached the figures last season during their clash against NY/NJ Gotham FC with fans cheering for their team against their rivals. However, despite the massive support, the team couldn’t get past Gotham’s vigorous defense, who bagged a 2-1 win. (Attendance Recorded: 22,000)

With NWSL reaching some impressive figures in recent years, fans will hope that the league can continue improving its standards in the upcoming editions.

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