Soccer’s popularity is picking up steam across the globe, and this year’s Major League Soccer regular season was a clear sign of its growth in North America.
The league hosted more than 10 million fans during the 2022 regular season, marking the highest ticket revenue clubs have ever generated — and far exceeding the record 8.6 million fans in 2019, according to Forbes.
Atlanta United FC led the league’s average attendance with 47,116 fans, while Charlotte FC broke the single-game attendance record when it hosted 74,479 fans at the start of the season.
On Disney networks, viewership reached 356,000 for people aged 2 and up — the league’s highest average ever. FOX Deportes and ESPN Deportes had a 13% year-over-year viewership increase, and TSN in Canada saw an 8% increase.
MLS recorded increases in merchandise sales, viewership, and online engagement.
- The league added 600,000 net followers on social media platforms, a 65% year-over-year increase.
- Sales for jerseys launched in 2022 on MLSstore.com increased 10% from last year.
MLS Movement
MLS isn’t slowing down.
Next year, the league will add a new team — St. Louis City SC — and start a new, exclusive media deal with Apple reportedly worth at least $2.5 billion.
“It’s all with a view to the 2026 World Cup being here, Canada, and Mexico, and the ability to really draft off that incredible moment, which will be the biggest sporting event the world’s ever seen at that point,” said David Bruce, MLS senior vice president of brand and integrated marketing.
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