The NBA has once again packed arenas across the league, delivering a record-setting stretch that highlights the sport’s surging popularity. Fans turned out in massive numbers, and the momentum keeps building… Yankee Scores reports.
Three-Year Attendance Boom
As reported by David Broughton, NBA teams collectively drew more than 22.18 million fans this past season, averaging 18,108 per game. Over the past three years, nearly 67 million fans have attended regular-season contests, marking the best stretch in league history. Arenas also reached 97% capacity for the fourth time ever.
Sellout Streaks Define the Season
Eleven franchises sold out every home game. The Miami Heat lead the way with a streak of 14 consecutive sellout seasons, excluding pandemic years. The Boston Celtics have sold out every game since 2021-22. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks finished above 100% capacity thanks to standing-room sales, though not every game was officially a sellout.
Spurs, Hornets, and Clippers Surge
The San Antonio Spurs were one of the hottest tickets in the NBA. They averaged 18,703 fans at Frost Bank Center, a 15.5% increase from last season, and sold out all eight games played at Austin’s Moody Center. The Charlotte Hornets enjoyed a 9% boost following a $245 million renovation, while the Clippers saw a 6.4% increase year-over-year.
Attendance Challenges Remain
Not every team saw growth. The Memphis Grizzlies dropped 7.9% to 15,339 per game, while the Washington Wizards again posted the league’s lowest average attendance, filling just 80.4% of available seats.
Expanding Global Reach
Including three neutral-site games outside the U.S. and Canada, plus three NBA Emirates Cup contests in Las Vegas, nearly 22.3 million fans attended an NBA game this season. The league’s ability to draw crowds worldwide underscores its expanding global footprint.
