Leeds United are one of the most well-supported clubs in the entire country but how have attendances at Elland Road changed in recent years?
A lot has happened in the last six years for Leeds United, but the fans have been there through the thick and thin – at least when they could be.
The 2019-20 season is when it all finally came together for Leeds, with Marcelo Bielsa’s exciting side storming to the Championship title and finally returning to the Premier League.
It had been a long 16-year absence from the top flight and it was bittersweet as the campaign had been curtailed by Covid-19 and fans weren’t able to witness it in person.
Disruptions would continue but Leeds enjoyed a fantastic return to the first division, finishing 9th, just two points behind Arsenal.
Things started to fall off the rails in 2021-22, seeing Beilsa sacked in February in an unpopular decision. Leeds survived by the skin of their teeth under Jesse Marsch but wouldn’t be so lucky the following season.
Four men – Marsch, Michael Skubala, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce – took charge of Leeds the following campaign as they returned to the Championship.
Daniel Farke was the man tasked with bringing them back up and nearly did so on the first attempt before a heartbreaking play-off final defeat to Southampton consigned them to another year in the second division.
But now things are going excellently, with the Whites sitting top of the table and on course for promotion.
Here is how the Elland Road attendance in that time has changed.
Leeds United see an increase in attendance since 2019
According to a study by X (formerly Twitter) account @LowerTiers, Leeds have seen their average attendance grow significantly since the 2018-19 season.
It’s explained that the figures were calculated by: “measuring the difference between a club’s current average attendance and their attendance during the 2018-19 season.”
By their calculation, Leeds have seen an average increase of 2,583 in those six years.
Six teams have better growth than Leeds United
Leeds are positioned 7th out of the 24 Championship sides, with six rivals seeing more attendance growth than them over six years.
Coventry City top the list with a massive 14,878 due to the fact they couldn’t play their games at their home for a lot of that time and instead played at smaller grounds.
Hull City have had no such stadium uncertainty but have seen a massive growth of 9,039 and Sunderland have earned 8,101 punters back by turning around the mood at the Stadium of Light.
Plymouth and Oxford Untied have, unsurprisingly given their rise through the leagues, seen growth of 6,627 and 4,004, respectively. Preston also just finished above Leeds with 2,615.
In a positive sign for the Championship, all but five Championship clubs have seen growth. The only ones who haven’t are Watford, Burnley, Stoke City, Swansea City and Cardiff City.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
