Several of Europe’s most famous soccer teams traveled to the United States this summer.
Clubs from across the pond are now regularly holding preseason matches in the US to increase their brand awareness, and it seems to be paying off.
Games involving major European teams usually attract huge crowds, as Americans do not have the opportunity to see them on a regular basis.
This summer was no different, of course. More than a million soccer fans flocked to stadiums across the United States to watch these teams play summer friendlies.
Real Madrid, however, was able to attract more fans than any other top European team. The three US friendlies involving the Spanish giants averaged almost 69,000 spectators. During their American tour, the Blancos played against AC Milan,than Barcelona and Chelsea.
Highest average attendance at European friendlies in the USA this summer:
| Rank | Average participation | |
| 1 | real Madrid | 68,779 |
| 2 | Barcelona | 65,576 |
| 3 | Liverpool | 63,009 |
| 4 | Manchester United | 55,431 |
| 5 | AC Milan | 53,009 |
| 6 | Manchester City | 52,659 |
| 7 | arsenal | 48,091 |
| 8 | Chelsea | 47,924 |
| 9 | Real Betis | 34,463 |
| 10 | Celtic | 27,863 |
| 11 | Wrexham | 23,023 |
| 12 | Aston Villa | 21,221 |
| 13 | Bournemouth | 13,161 |
Real has played all three summer friendlies in huge NFL arenas
Real can draw fans virtually anywhere, but they also benefited from playing their summer friendlies in huge NFL facilities.
The LaLiga team played its three preparation games at Soldier Stadium (Chicago Bears), MetLife Stadium (NY Giants/Jets) and Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte Panthers).
All three arenas have a maximum capacity of at least 61,000 fans. However, MetLife is currently the NFL’s largest stadium. Despite weather issues, Real’s game against Barca drew more than 82,000 fans to the arena.
No other soccer friendly in the United States had a higher attendance all summer.
Of course, certain matchups are important too. Real vs. Barca, known as El Clasico, is arguably the biggest rivalry in soccer and one of the most watched games in the world each year. Milan and Chelsea are both admired foreign clubs here in the States as well. The Italian team has benefited in recent months from the signing of popular USMNT star Christian Pulisic.
European clubs with the highest attendance figures
Although Real Madrid’s games had the most fans on average among summer friendlies, they did not rank first in terms of total attendance. Instead, Chelsea’s extensive schedule drew the most fans. The Blues have five summer games scheduled in the United States, more than any other European team. In total, nearly 240,000 fans attended those five games.
The Premier League side played matches across the country against Wrexham, Celtic, Club America, Manchester City and Real, and despite only winning once in those matches, fans flocked to see Chelsea in action.
Highest total attendance for European friendlies in the USA (Number of games played in the USA this summer in parentheses):
| Rank | In total | |
| 1 | Chelseas (5) | 239,621 |
| 2 | Manchester City (4) | 210,639 |
| 3 | Real Madrid (3) | 206,339 |
| 4 | Barcelona (3) | 196,728 |
| 5 | Liverpool (3) | 189,027 |
| 6 | Manchester United (3) | 166,293 |
| 7 | AC Milan (3) | 159,027 |
| 8 | Arsenale (3) | 144,275 |
| 9 | Celtic (3) | 83,590 |
| 10 | Real Betis (2) | 68,927 |
| 11 | Wrexham (2) | 46,046 |
| 12 | Aston Villa (2) | 42,443 |
| 13 | Bournemouth (2) | 26,322 |
Photo credit: IMAGO / Icon Sportswire.
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