MLS sets new attendance record with 11 million fans

Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States has surpassed 11 million fans, breaking the league’s regular season attendance record.

With 16 regular-season matches remaining, MLS has now eclipsed the mark of 10,900,804, which was set last season.

The MLS, which announced the record on Monday, credited the recent arrivals of football stars like Lionel Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, and the creation of more unique, fan-friendly ticket packages as the key factors in the continued growth.

The league is currently averaging 23,240 fans per game. Boosting that average were crowds of 72,610 to see Messi and Miami play Sporting Kansas City at Arrowhead Stadium on April 13, and the July 4 crowd of 70,076 at the Rose Bowl for the El Tráfico clash between Los Angeles FC and the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Inter Miami and the New England Revolution drew a Gillette Stadium-record 65,612 fans on April 27.