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Highest Attended Soccer Matches In U.S. History

By Travis Yoesting July 16, 2019
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An exhaustive list of the highest attended soccer matches in the United States.
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Atlanta United set all sorts of Major League Soccer attendance records in its second year in the league, from highest average attendance to biggest MLS Cup crowd. It was impressive to see more fans at the 2018 MLS Cup final in December than the Super Bowl at the same stadium two months later. But how does Atlanta stack up to the highest attended soccer matches in U.S. history?

When it comes to the highest attended soccer matches in the United States, MLS is far down the list. The largest crowd to see an MLS standalone match — as in, not an exhibition and not a part of a doubleheader — was Atlanta United’s 2-0 win over the Portland Timbers in the 2018 MLS Cup. In December 2018, 73,019 fans showed up at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta for that match, about 3,000 more than watched the Super Bowl in Atlanta in 2019. 

But that ranks as the 69th highest attended soccer match in U.S. history, though it fares well against other attendance records in U.S. sports. 

The biggest crowd for any MLS match was the 92,516 that showed up at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to see the New England Revolution play Chivas USA. But that was the undercard for a friendly between Barcelona and Chivas Guadalajara. The biggest crowd for a match involving an MLS team was the LA Galaxy’s International Champions Cup match against Barcelona in 2015, with 93,226 fans at the Rose Bowl.

The largest attendance for a match in a meaningful competition in the U.S. came in 1984 during the Olympics. The Gold Medal match between Brazil and France was seen by 101,254 fans at the Rose Bowl.

The biggest crowd for a USMNT match belongs to two matches at the 1994 World Cup, with group-stage matches against Colombia and Romania both drawing 93,869 fans to the Rose Bowl.

The record crowd for a USWNT match was in 1999 as 90,185 saw the U.S. beat China on penalty kicks in the Women’s World Cup final. That match was a doubleheader, as the third-place match between Norway and Brazil was played earlier in the day.

But none of those are the highest attended soccer matches in U.S. history. That belongs to a 2014 International Champions Cup match between Manchester United and Real Madrid. That summer, 109,318 fans filed through the gates at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to watch a glorified friendly. 

Highest Attended Soccer Matches In U.S.

The 15 highest attended soccer matches in U.S. history.

Below is a full list of the highest attended soccer matches in the United States, including every game that was drew more than 70,000. Note, doubleheaders are listed as one game. Complete as of July 16, 2019. 

Highest Attended Soccer Matches In U.S. History

1. 109,318
Manchester United vs. Real Madrid, 2014 ICC, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

2. 105,826
Chelsea vs. Real Madrid, 2016 ICC, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

3. 101,799
France vs. Brazil, 1984 Olympics Gold Medal Match, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

4. 101,254
Liverpool vs. Manchester United, 2018 ICC, Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Michigan

5. 100,374
Yugoslavia vs. Italy, 1984 Olympics Bronze Medal Match, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

6. 97,451
France vs. Yugoslavia, 1984 Olympics, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

7. 94,194
Brazil vs. Italy, 1994 World Cup Final, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

8. 93,869
United States vs. Romania, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

9. 93,723
United States vs. Mexico, 2015 Concacaf Cup, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

10. 93,689
United States vs. Colombia, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

11. 93,420
United States vs. Mexico, 2011 Gold Cup Final, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

12. 93,226
Barcelona at LA Galaxy, 2015 ICC, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

13. 93,194
Cameroon vs. Sweden, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

14. 93,137
Barcelona at LA Galaxy, 2009 Friendly, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

15. 93,098
Manchester City vs. Real Madrid, 2017 ICC, LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

16. 92,516
New England Revolution at Chivas USA/Barcelona vs. Chivas Guadalajara, 2006 MLS/Friendly Doubleheader, LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

17. 92,216
United States vs. Mexico/Tampa Bay Mutiny at LA Galaxy, 1996 Friendly/MLS Doubleheader, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

18. 91,856
Sweden vs. Brazil, 1994 World Cup Semifinals, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

19. 91,586
Colombia vs. Romania, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

20. 91,585
Argentina vs. Mexico, 1999 Friendly, LA Coliseum, Los Angeles

21. 91,500
Sweden vs. Bulgaria, 1994 World Cup Semifinals, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

22. 91,255
United States vs. Mexico/Brazil vs. Jamaica, 1998 Gold Cup Final/Third-Place Match Doubleheader, LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

23. 91,123
United States vs. Mexico, 1994 Friendly, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

24. 90,469
Romania vs. Argentina, 1994 World Cup Round of 16, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

25. 90,185*
United States vs. China/Norway vs. Brazil, 1999 Women’s World Cup Final/Third-Place Match Doubleheader, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California.

26. 89,134
Real Madrid at LA Galaxy, 2010 Friendly, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

27. 88,816
LA Galaxy at Chivas USA/Chivas Guadalajara vs. Club América, 2005 MLS/Friendly, LA Coliseum, Los Angeles

28. 88,155
Brazil vs. Mexico/United States vs. Guatemala, 1996 Gold Cup Final/Third-Place Game Doubleheader, LA Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles

29. 86,641
Real Madrid vs. Paris Saint-Germain, 2016 ICC, Ohio Stadium, Columbus, Ohio

30. 86,432
Manchester United at LA Galaxy, 2014 Friendly, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

31. 86,117
Nigeria vs. Argentina, 1996 Olympics Gold Medal Match, Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia

32. 85,000
Mexico vs. Haiti/Guadeloupe vs. Costa Rica, 2009 Gold Cup Quarterfinals Doubleheader, Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

33. 84,177
Brazil vs. United States, 1994 World Cup Round of 16, Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

34. 83,810
United States vs. Argentina, 1996 Olympics, Legion Field, Birmingham, Alabama

35. 83,642
Brazil vs. Italy, 1984 Olympcs Semifinals, Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

36. 83,500
Romania vs. Sweden, 1994 World Cup Quarterfinals, Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

37. 83,401 (tie)
Switzerland vs. Colombia, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California
Brazil vs. Cameroon, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

38. 81,994
Brazil vs. Argentina, 2012 Friendly, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

39. 81,807
Manchester United vs. Barcelona, 2011 WFC, FedExField, Landover, Maryland

40. 81,410
United States vs. Honduras/Panama vs. Mexico, 2013 Gold Cup Semifinals Doubleheader, Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

41. 81,224
Chelsea vs. Inter Milan, 2009 WFC, Rose Bowl, Pasadena, California

42. 81,061
Brazil vs. Russia, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

43. 80,108
Mexico vs. El Salvador/Costa Rica vs. Cuba, 2011 Gold Cup Group Stage Doubleheader, Cowboys Stadium, Arlington, Texas

44. 79,156
United States vs. Mexico, 2009 Gold Cup Final, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

45. 79,005
Manchester United vs. Juventus, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

46. 79,002
Barcelona vs. New York Red Bulls, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

47. 78,972*
Denmark vs. United States/Brazil vs. Mexico, 1999 Women’s World Cup Group Stage Doubleheader, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

48. 78,936
United States vs. Argentina, 2011 Friendly, New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

49. 78,914
Chelsea vs. Barcelona, 2015 ICC, FedExField, Landover, Maryland

50. 78,807
Mexico vs. Guatemala/Costa Rica vs. Honduras, 2011 Gold Cup Quarterfinals Doubleheader, New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

51. 78,682
United States vs. Argentina, 2008 Friendly, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

52. 78,587
Nigeria vs. Brazil, 1996 Olympics Semifinals, Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia

53. 78,416
MLS All-Star Game/Brazil vs. FIFA All-Stars, 1996 MLS/Friendly Doubleheader, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

54. 78,265
United States vs. Costa Rica, 1984 Olympics, Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

55. 78,212
Portugal vs. Argentina, 1996 Olympics Semifinals, Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia

56. 77,691
Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos, 1977 NASL Playoffs, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

57. 77,223
United States vs. Brazil, 2010 Friendly, New Meadowlands Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

58. 77,217
Brazil vs. Sweden, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan

59. 76,489*
China vs. United States/Brazil vs. Norway, 1996 Olympics Women’s Gold Medal Match/Bronze Medal Match Doubleheader, Sanford Stadium, Athens, Georgia

60. 76,322
Saudi Arabia vs. Morocco, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

61. 76,031
Tulsa Roughnecks at New York Cosmos, 1979 NASL Playoffs, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

62. 75,646
Santos FC at Cosmos, 1977 Friendly, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

63. 75,500
Bulgaria vs. Italy, 1994 World Cup Semifinals, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

64. 75,338
Italy vs. Ireland, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

65. 75,000 
Bulgaria vs. Germany, 1994 World Cup Quarterfinals, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

66. 74,914
Russia vs. Cameroon, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Stanford Stadium, Stanford

67. 74,901
New York Cosmos vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies, 1978 NASL Soccer Bowl, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

68. 74,624
Italy vs. Norway, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

69. 74,500
Mexico vs. Bulgaria, 1994 World Cup Round of 16, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

70. 74,187
Mexico vs. Costa Rica/Trinidad and Tobago vs. Panama, 2015 Gold Cup Quarterfinals Doubleheader, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

71. 73,669
Rochester Lancers at New York Cosmos, 1977 NASL Playoffs, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

72. 73,425
United States vs. Switzerland, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan

73. 73,123*
United States vs. Brazil/D.C. United at San Jose Clash, 1999 Women’s World Cup Semifinals/MLS Doubleheader, Stanford Stadium, Stanford, California

74. 73,019
Portland Timbers at Atlanta United, 2018 MLS Cup, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

75. 72,404
Ireland vs. Norway, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

76. 72,342
Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos, 1979 NASL, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

77. 72,243
Seattle Sounders at Atlanta United, 2018 MLS, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

78. 72,035
D.C. United at Atlanta United, 2018 MLS, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

79. 72,017
Real Salt Lake at Atlanta United, 2018 MLS, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

80. 71,923
Orlando City at Atlanta United, 2018 MLS, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

81. 71,874
Toronto FC at Atlanta United, 2017 MLS, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

82. 71,812
Chicago Fire at Atlanta United, 2018 MLS, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

83. 71,528
Sweden vs. Russia, 1994 World Cup Group Stage, Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan

84. 71,413
NASL Select at New York Cosmos, 1980 Friendly, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

85. 71,219
Seattle Sounders at New York Cosmos, 1978 NASL, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

86. 71,203
Chelsea vs. AC Milan, 2009 WFC, M&T Bank Stadium, Landover, Maryland

87. 70,780
Chivas Guadalajara vs. Barcelona, 2011 WFC, Sun Life Stadium, Miami, Florida

88. 70,788
Mexico vs. Costa Rica/Canada vs. Haiti, 2019 Gold Cup Quarterfinals Doubleheader, NRG Stadium, Houston 

89. 70,550
LA Galaxy at Houston Dynamo/Club America vs. Barcelona, 2006 MLS/Friendly Doubleheader, Reliant Stadium, Houston

90. 70,540
United States vs. El Salvador/Honduras vs. Costa Rica, 2013 Gold Cup Quarterfinals Doubleheader, M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore

91. 70,526
New York City FC at Atlanta United, 2018 MLS Playoffs, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

92. 70,511
United States vs. Jamaica/Panama vs. Mexico, 2015 Gold Cup Semifinals Doubleheader, Georgia Dome, Atlanta

93. 70,425
Orlando City at Atlanta United, 2017 MLS, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

94. 70,328
FC Cincinnati at Atlanta United, 2019 MLS, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

95. 70,312
Ft. Lauderdale Strikers at New York Cosmos, 1980 NASL, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

96. 70,267
United States vs. Panama/Honduras vs. Mexico, 2011 Gold Cup Semifinals Doubleheader, Reliant Stadium, Houston

97. 70,134
Argentina at New York Cosmos, 1979 Friendly, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

98. 70,103
United States vs. Mexico, 2008 Friendly, Reliant Stadium, Houston

99. 70,092
Mexico vs. Costa Rica/Honduras vs. Guadeloupe, 2007 Gold Cup Group Stage Doubleheader, Reliant Stadium, Houston

100. 70,042
Tampa Bay Rowdies at New York Cosmos, 1979 NASL, Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

101. 70,016
New York Red Bulls at Atlanta United, 2018 MLS Playoffs, Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

* — Women’s matches.

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