Ticket sales continuing to rise in Super League
Ticket sales are continuing to rise in the Super League, with the statistics displaying that more fans are attending matches.
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The numbers don’t lie. In accordance with statistics recorded after the first 12 rounds of the 2019/2020 campaign, the average attendances of 11 Super League clubs has risen, while only three teams are attracting less fans than in the previous season.
At the moment, PAOK and Olympiacos appear to be locked in a two-horse race for the title, while clubs such as OFI, Xanthi and AE Larissa have been surprise packages with their strong points haul.
Let’s take a look at the attendance statistics for every Super League club:
AEK
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 7,766
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 15,857
Despite their rather inconsistent from, AEK fans have shown loyalty towards the team, with the average attendance rising by 8,000. Nevertheless, it must be taken into account that AEK hosted Aris and Atromitos behind closed doors in the first half of last season, and the game against Volos NFC in Rizoupoli was played in front of 15,857 supporters. The largest AEK attendance was against PAOK: 32,576.
AEL
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 2,581
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 3,921
Yes, there hasn’t been a particularly large attendance increase in Larissa, but AEL fans have been impressed by the team’s positive start to the 2019/2020 Super League campaign. The AEL ultras are continuing to abstain from matches as they wait for the day when controversial supremo Alexis Kougias leaves. Something which probably won’t happen any time soon.
Aris
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 10,246
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 11,298
The return of Aris to the big time has given Super League attendance statistics a large boost. Aris, boasting a large following in Thessaloniki, can always count on wonderful support from their fans inside the atmospheric Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, which has become one of the most difficult places to visit in Greece. Their biggest attendance so far was 13,143 against Olympiacos.
Asteras Tripolis
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 2,096
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 2,049
Unfortunately for Asteras, it’s yet another season of mediocrity for a club which used to compete in the UEFA Europa League. In comparison to last year, the numbers have largely stayed the same, with slightly less fans attending matches in Tripoli. Asteras currently languish in 12th position.
Atromitos
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 914
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 1,382
Over the last couple of years, Atromitos have managed to regularly compete on a level footing with AEK, Olympiacos and PAOK, but they are only popular among residents of Peristeri. The attendance average is moving in the right direction, however, with the figures having risen from 900 to 1,382. The biggest attendance was against PAOK: 2,053.
Volos NFC
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 2,244
Volos NFC, only founded in 2017, are playing in the Super League for the first time in their short history. So far, Volos haven’t been able to build up a great following, but the players themselves have proved that they’re capable of competing. The fact that so many visiting PAOK and Panathinaikos fans travelled to the Panthessaliko Stadium boosted their attendance figures
Lamia
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 1,584
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 1,626
There has been a small increase in Lamia. To date, Lamia’s highest attendance was 2,612 against Panathinaikos, while their game against Panetolikos only attracted 715 supporters. Lamia occupy 10th place of the table after 14 rounds.
Xanthi
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 1,245
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 1,768
Traditionally, Xanthi don’t attract a lot of fans at their matches, however, ticket sales have risen in the 2019/2020 season with supporters having been impressed with the positive start to the campaign as AEK and Panathinaikos were beaten on the road. The attendance of 3,315 against Olympiacos in the ninth round is their highest.
Olympiacos
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 20,487
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 24,715
The atmosphere at the compact Karaiskakis Stadium is second to none. With the team playing free-flowing, attractive football under the leadership of Pedro Martins, the arena in Piraeus is often close to being full, and it holds the reputation of being the toughest stadium for opposing teams in the country. 31,616 fans attended the derby against PAOK.
OFI
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 4,077
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 4,545
There has been an increase in ticket sales for OFI too. The Cretans, flying high in fourth place with 22 points on the board, play an aggressive brand of football which has yielded plenty of success - notably the 1-0 win against AEK in Heraklion. OFI’s largest attendance was 5,807 in the match with PAOK.
Panathinaikos
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 10,113
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 5,793
Panathinaikos, however, have experienced a huge reduction in ticket sales. In the 2018/2019 season, more than 10,000 supporters attended their games in the opening 12 rounds, but that figure has suffered a damaging drop to a little under 6,000. Gate 13’s decision to boycott games, and the factor of continuing to play at the Olympic Stadium, have contributed to the downfall.
Panetolikos
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 2,373
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 2,424
In general, fans of rock-bottom Panetolikos have stuck by the team, but it must be noted that the ultras did not attend the recent game against PAOK. Panetolikos are still without a single victory in the 2019/2020 Super League season.
Panionios
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 1,969
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 1,960
In effect, the average attendance for Panionios has remained the same, with only nine less fans deciding to watch games in person at the Nea Smyrni Stadium. Panionios’ lowest attendance was a crowd of 1,512 against Volos, but, when Olympiacos came to town, 3,054 fans purchased tickets.
PAOK
2018/2019 average after 12 rounds: 16,537
2019/2020 average after 12 rounds: 18,796
It’s no surprise to see that PAOK, the reigning Greek champions, have become even more popular. The Dikefalos tou Vorra, unbeaten in the Super League since March 2018, attract an average of 2,000 more fans at the their matches as they share first place in the standings with Olympiacos.
