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NHL Attendance Surges in 2025: Twenty Teams See Increase, Playoff Races Fuel Fan Interest
As the 2024-25 NHL season nears its end, a vast majority of teams are experiencing a surge in fan attendance. Twenty clubs have seen their average attendance increase since the start of 2025, indicating strong fan engagement as playoff races heat up.
NHL Attendance Landscape: Winners and losers
Here’s a breakdown of the teams experiencing the biggest attendance changes,both positive and negative:
Biggest Climbers
Winnipeg Jets: Attendance Soars with Playoff Berth (+996 fans/game,7.5% increase)
The Winnipeg Jets are experiencing a resurgence both on and off the ice. Clinching a playoff spot has been a major catalyst. Their improved game-day experience, including better food, beverages, and a revamped sound system, are also credited in boosting attendance.
Florida Panthers: Reigning Champs Draw Crowds (+569 fans/game, 3.0% increase)
The Florida Panthers’ continued success after their Stanley Cup victory keeps the fans coming. Star player Matthew Tkachuk’s marketability, including a recent appearance on “the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon”, has also contributed to the increased interest.
Washington Capitals: Ovechkin’s Chase for gretzky Drives Sellouts (+474 fans/game, 2.7% increase)
Alex Ovechkin’s pursuit of Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record has sparked a frenzy in Washington. Every Capitals home game in March has been a sellout. Ovechkin is just six goals away from history.
San Jose Sharks: Celebrini Effect Boosts attendance (+309 fans/game, 2.3% increase)
Rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini is drawing fans to San Jose. His impressive performance and endearing friendship with teammate Will Smith have made the Sharks a team to watch.
Biggest Declines
Pittsburgh Penguins: Losing Season Leads to Empty Seats (-1,187 fans/game, 6.6% decrease)
Despite sidney crosby’s continued brilliance, the Pittsburgh Penguins are facing their lowest attendance as 2003-04. A losing season has failed to maintain fan enthusiasm in Pittsburgh.
Los Angeles Kings: Disappointing Performance at the box Office (-757 fans/game, 4.2% decrease)
Despite being seventh in the league standings, the Kings struggle with attendance. The lack of a true superstar and the possibility of another early playoff exit may contribute to fan hesitancy.
New York Islanders: Playoff Drought Affects Attendance (-477 fans/game, 2.9% decrease)
The New York Islanders’ recent improvement hasn’t fully reversed a year-over-year attendance drop.Their playoff drought and aging roster, however, are pushing the fans away, overall.
Chicago Blackhawks: Post-Bedard Dip (-254 fans/game, 1.4% decrease)
The chicago Blackhawks remain in the top 10 in league attendance, but not from last year. The absence of post-season contention is negatively impacting attendance.
Teams to Watch
- Ottawa Senators: improved performance driving attendance increases, though still slightly down overall this season.
- Philadelphia Flyers: Attendance holding steady despite a challenging season, suggesting fan loyalty.
- Columbus Blue Jackets: End of college football season coincides with increased fan interest.
- calgary Flames: Playoff contention boosts attendance with a new arena on the horizon.
- St. Louis Blues: recent surge in performance translates to renewed fan interest and sellout crowds.
NHL 2024-25 Attendance
| Team | Attendance | Capacity | Capacity% | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Team 1 | 17,954 | 17,500 | 102.6% | ||||
| Team 2 | 18,380 | 17,954 |
| Team |
Attendance |
Capacity |
Capacity% |
|
| Team 1 | 17,954 | 17,500 | 102.6% | ||||
| Team 2 | 18,380 | 17,954 | 102.4% |
Q&A
Why is NHL attendance up in 2025?
The article attributes the surge in attendance to several factors. Primarily,the heated playoff races are drawing fans. Secondly, some teams have increased attendance due to improved game-day experiences, such as better food and sound systems. star power, such as Ovechkin’s chase for the goal record and Celebrini’s rookie performance, also boosts attendance.
Which teams are seeing the biggest increases in attendance?
the Winnipeg Jets,Florida Panthers,Washington Capitals,and San jose Sharks are experiencing the most notable attendance increases. These teams have benefited from playoff berths, recent success, star power, and exciting rookie performances.
Which teams are seeing the biggest decreases in attendance?
The Pittsburgh penguins, Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, and Chicago Blackhawks are experiencing the largest drops in attendance. this can be attributed to losing seasons, disappointing performances, playoff droughts, and the absence of post-season contention.
What factors contribute to a good game-day experience that could increase attendance?
The Winnipeg Jets are an example of how a good game-day experience can increase attendance. They’ve invested in improvements such as better food, beverages, and a revamped sound system. These enhancements create a more enjoyable atmosphere for fans, encouraging them to return.
What role does star power play in attracting fans?
Star players like Alex Ovechkin and Matthew Tkachuk significantly impact attendance. Ovechkin’s pursuit of a historic record and Tkachuk’s marketability, including TV appearances, create excitement and draw fans to the games.Similarly, the emergence of rookie sensation Macklin Celebrini has boosted attendance in San Jose. Having a recognizable and exciting player on the team can spark significant fan interest.
Where can I find more detailed attendance data?
While the article provides highlights, more detailed information can be found at hockeydb.com [[1](https://www.hockeydb.com/nhl-attendance/att_graph_season.php?lid=NHL1927&sid=2025)].
The 2024-25 NHL season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with playoff races driving fan engagement and attendance.keep an eye on your favorite team to see if they’re riding the wave of increased attendance!
