The attendances Cardiff City can now expect after relegation

The attendances Cardiff City can now expect after relegation


By Katie Sands

Wednesday 8th May 2019


As realisation of Cardiff City's relegation from the Premier League to the Championship sinks in, attention will be turning to the adjustment and changes the club will need to make due to the drop.

There will clearly be the financial cost to be paid, given the vastly differing TV money differences between the two leagues.

Just one of the areas affected is likely to be ticket sales and the size of home crowds.

We've taken a look at the sort of crowds the Bluebirds can expect in the Championship next season.




What has attendance been like this season?

Returning to the top flight for the first time since 2013/14, Cardiff's average home attendance this term hasn't been far off full capacity.

As we know, Cardiff have finished 18th in the final Premier League table after their relegation-confirming clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

But in terms of pulling in supporters, they actually rank 10th out of the top flight's 20 clubs.

Across 19 Premier League fixtures at Cardiff City Stadium, the club has pulled in an average of 31,408 fans per game.

With Cardiff City Stadium having a capacity of 33,380 - the 24th biggest ground in the UK - that comes in as 94.4% capacity.

Cardiff's game with Liverpool last month attracted the Bluebirds' highest home crowd of the season at 33,082, while the weekend's clash with the Eagles pulled in a crowd of 32,133.





How does that compare to last season?

When you compare this campaign's draw with that of last season, the stark difference in numbers speak for themselves, with the average differing by 10,000.

For Cardiff's promotion-winning campaign in the Championship last season, the Bluebirds were ranked in the second half of the table despite finishing second in the league that year.

The Bluebirds pulled in 463,772 people across 23 home matches last season, averaging at 20,164 per home game.

In terms of attendances for home matches, Cardiff were actually ranked 13th that year, with the likes of Aston Villa (home average of 32,097), Leeds United (31,521) and Wolves (28,298) topping the chart.

It can only be expected that numbers drop next term as the Premier League pull evaporates, but the exact levels at which they drop remain to be seen.


What about last time in the Premier League and the last relegation?

Well, when Cardiff reached the heights of the Premier League for the first time since the 1960s - back in the 2013/14 season - their average supporter pull was less than it has been this year.

They were attracting an average of 27,430, before finishing 20th and dropping back down to the Championship, bringing their top-flight spell to an end after a single season.

Back in the Championship, the 2014/15 season saw thousands drop off the beat, with an average of 21,124 fans at home games recorded for their first season back in the second tier.

It's actually what happened next that highlights the perils of a prolonged stay in the Championship.

The following seasons saw Cardiff's crowds slump to 16,463 in 2015/16 and 16,564 in 2016/17 during the mediocrity of the Russell Slade and Paul Trollope eras.

Although numbers are certain to drop next year, you'd expect average attendances to remain comfortably above the 20,000 mark if the Bluebirds can mount a serious promotion bid. Season tickets have been on sale since March , with the club hopeful a large swathe of the 25,000 who bought them for this campaign will maintain their interest.

Repeat the mistakes of the past, however, and the evidence is there that people can quickly walk away.

Cardiff City's home attendances

The average home attendance for Cardiff City are:

*2018/19 = 31,408

*2017/18 = 20,164

*2016/17 = 16,564

*2015/16 = 16,463

*2014/15 = 21,124

*2013/14 = 27,430


How do crowds compare to the past?

To put this in a little historical context, the Bluebirds were drawing gates barely touching 3,000 in the bad old days of the 1980s before owner Rick Wright and manager Eddie May transformed things in the early 1990s.

But lift-off really happened as we approached the building of the new stadium, with the first Championship match played there in August 2009.

In the last season at Ninian Park the average gate was 18,044, and that improved as Dave Jones' team moved across the road to 20,717 and 23,194.

The two years under Malky Mackay saw crowds average 22,100 and 22,999, before the 27,430 high of the Premier League year.

In the first season back in the Championship the crowd was 21,124, before dips under Russell Slade, Paul Trollope and Warnock to 16,463 in the 2015/16 campaign.

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Cardiff City's home attendances

The average home attendance for Cardiff City are:

*2018/19 = 31,408

*2017/18 = 20,164

*2016/17 = 16,564

*2015/16 = 16,463

*2014/15 = 21,124

*2013/14 = 27,430

You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.

I our fan base has grown in the last 2 years. More kids seem into the football than before.

I would expect us to start around 25k and if we are top 6 by xmas that will grow to 30k again going to sell outs if we are successful

Anybody have an idea how many season tickets have been sold so far ?

I our fan base has grown in the last 2 years. More kids seem into the football than before.

I would expect us to start around 25k and if we are top 6 by xmas that will grow to 30k again going to sell outs if we are successful

Agree with this. There's a good buzz around the club again.

I know we're PL but we've had 30k+ every game to basically watch us lose. Add a few wins and goals next year can easily see it being 25k+ each week.

I our fan base has grown in the last 2 years. More kids seem into the football than before.

I would expect us to start around 25k and if we are top 6 by xmas that will grow to 30k again going to sell outs if we are successful

Agree with this. There's a good buzz around the club again.

I know we're PL but we've had 30k+ every game to basically watch us lose. Add a few wins and goals next year can easily see it being 25k+ each week.

Also away fans are hit and miss as to how many travel from couple hundred to 3.5k so that effects attendance figures.... but we'll get what we get and nothing we can do about it!

Will depend on the intent shown in the summer. Also people would have already bought their season tickets by now not knowing what division we would be in. I'd imagine the season ticket sales are much higher than the 17/18 season.

Big games will be around 28,000.

Probs a sell out for the Jacks.

I'd say we'll average around the 25,000 depending on success!

I think we will average what we always average in the second tier. If we are fighting for promotion anywhere between 20k & 25k, and if we are just treading water in the bottom half of the table, probably around 15k to 20k.

Anybody have an idea how many season tickets have been sold so far ?

No official figures released yet and rumours are sketchy at best

What is certain is that there has been a big fall-off from last season at the same point but whether that is down to departing support, people waiting to see what happens (either with the club itself or with personal finances, etc.) or just maybe deciding to attend on a selected match-by-match basis depending on the opposition and/or City's Championship table position

People will have their different reasons and most (for all the 'plastic' name-calling) will be genuine but it is worth noting that the cheapest (adult) season ticket will see a great value match-by match price of under £14 (well worth remembering when someone on here reckons they're selling theirs match-by-match at 'face-value')

We live in a world of excellent choices that were never there when some of us were younger

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We'll average around 22000 to 23000 next season

Games in the week will see “ actual” crowds of between 16-18000 as in the amount of people in the stadium. There will be those, with sky showing all the championship games live in midweek, who will stay at home especially if the weather is bad and the opposition unappealing.

Games in the week will see “ actual” crowds of between 16-18000 as in the amount of people in the stadium. There will be those, with sky showing all the championship games live in midweek, who will stay at home especially if the weather is bad and the opposition unappealing.

I doubt Sky would show any 'unappealing' games live and I don't believe there has been any significant fall-off of attendances for regular attendees, so long as the team are fighting at the top

Games in the week will see “ actual” crowds of between 16-18000 as in the amount of people in the stadium. There will be those, with sky showing all the championship games live in midweek, who will stay at home especially if the weather is bad and the opposition unappealing.

I doubt Sky would show any 'unappealing' games live and I don't believe there has been any significant fall-off of attendances for regular attendees, so long as the team are fighting at the top

I think Sky now show all midweek Championship games live

Games in the week will see “ actual” crowds of between 16-18000 as in the amount of people in the stadium. There will be those, with sky showing all the championship games live in midweek, who will stay at home especially if the weather is bad and the opposition unappealing.

I doubt Sky would show any 'unappealing' games live and I don't believe there has been any significant fall-off of attendances for regular attendees, so long as the team are fighting at the top

I think Sky now show all midweek Championship games live

I checked and you think right, fella!

My apologies, as Cardiff City supporters, we haven't needed to use such a service for 12 months but great if that's till the case for next season; particularly for those whose work prevents them from travelling midweek

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The plastics won't turn up for the Championship. Would be nice to get 33K in the Championship to drive us back to the Premiership.

Hi I bought a season ticket for the red stand but not sure if it be open ! Will they move me !

I think it will be around the 20k mark, slowly decreasing each year should the club not return, but increasing from that average for the bigger matches. I think there is enough recent evidence to go on in order to make a fairly accurate guess these days.

Hi I bought a season ticket for the red stand but not sure if it be open ! Will they move me !

Yes if necessary but you would get choice of where to move as long as seats available
Or simply get money back

Games in the week will see “ actual” crowds of between 16-18000 as in the amount of people in the stadium. There will be those, with sky showing all the championship games live in midweek, who will stay at home especially if the weather is bad and the opposition unappealing.

I doubt Sky would show any 'unappealing' games live and I don't believe there has been any significant fall-off of attendances for regular attendees, so long as the team are fighting at the top

I think Sky now show all midweek Championship games live

I checked and you think right, fella!

My apologies, as Cardiff City supporters, we haven't needed to use such a service for 12 months but great if that's till the case for next season; particularly for those whose work prevents them from travelling midweek

They are on red button which means limited coverage but great if cannot get to game ! Hopefully will carry on next season

Games in the week will see “ actual” crowds of between 16-18000 as in the amount of people in the stadium. There will be those, with sky showing all the championship games live in midweek, who will stay at home especially if the weather is bad and the opposition unappealing.

I doubt Sky would show any 'unappealing' games live and I don't believe there has been any significant fall-off of attendances for regular attendees, so long as the team are fighting at the top

I think Sky now show all midweek Championship games live

I checked and you think right, fella!

My apologies, as Cardiff City supporters, we haven't needed to use such a service for 12 months but great if that's till the case for next season; particularly for those whose work prevents them from travelling midweek

They are on red button which means limited coverage but great if cannot get to game ! Hopefully will carry on next season

Allan, that's great for you living so far away but I believe you are at most games?

One of the guys I meet before the game is a season ticket holder, who travels from Kings Lynn (Norfolk) for every home game and most aways

Just goes to show that 'being there' is always better than not; but Sky (or IPTV) is a great option for many who cannot make it