• Loading stock data...
Sunday, March 1, 2026

NBA Sets New Season Records for Attendance, Sellouts

  • NBA attendance has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, with a record 22,234,502 tickets sold this season.
  • Arenas were packed at an average 97% capacity this season, the highest mark in NBA history.
NBA record crowds
Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

This NBA season was the highest-attended regular season in NBA history, the league announced Monday. 22,234,502 ticketed fans attended games, breaking the league’s previous record of 22,124,559 total fans set in 2017-18.

Arenas were packed on average at 97% capacity this season, and there were 791 sellouts across the league, both setting new all-time league records. The league’s previous sellout record was 760 games reached in the 2018-19 season.

This season marks just the second time league attendance totals eclipsed 22 million in a regular season. NBA games this season averaged 18,077 fans per game, a record for the league. The league’s other top seasons for total attendance were set in the four seasons leading up to the pandemic-stricken 2019-20 season. 

In January, the San Antonio Spurs set an NBA single-game attendance record with 68,323 fans at the Alamodome for its game against the Golden State Warriors. 

While NBA crowds reached an all-time high, seeing if end-of-season broadcast viewership metrics can match that pace after February’s NBA All-Star Game had a record-low TV audience will be interesting. Viewership for the 2021-22 NBA season on ESPN, ABC, and TNT increased 19% over the 2020-21 season. Broadcast numbers for this season haven’t yet been announced but will come as the NBA is negotiating its next set of media rights deals to start in 2025.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mat Ishbia’s All-Star Weekend Offer Faces Several Major Hurdles

Mark Cuban tells FOS a similar pitch was rejected by the league.
Mar 11, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Toronto Raptors center Jontay Porter (34) reacts after a play in the third quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

Banned NBA Player Jontay Porter Signs With Upstart USBL

Porter was banned from the NBA for gambling violations in 2024.
May 19, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Detailed view of a TNT court broadcast camera before game seven between the Minnesota Timberwolves against the Denver Nuggets in the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Loss of NBA Felt in WBD’s Latest Earnings

The loss of live rights created near-term headwinds in advertising revenue.

Pacers Coach Criticizes NBA Over $100K Tanking Fine: ‘Ridiculous’

Aaron Nesmith sprained his elbow on Feb. 2 against Houston.

Featured Today

Dec 25, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (21) reacts against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second half at Ball Arena.

Young Athletes Have Entered Their LinkedIn Era

Athletes can’t play forever. Some are laying the groundwork for Act 2.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jun 15, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Botafogo owner John Textor inside the stadium before the match during a group stage match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Lumen Field.
February 27, 2026

The American Sports Owners Feuding Over a French Soccer Team

John Textor is at odds with Michele Kang and investment giant Ares.
[Subscription Customers Only] Jul 13, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Chelsea FC midfielder Cole Palmer (10) celebrates winning the final of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at MetLife Stadium
February 21, 2026

Soccer’s ‘Crown Jewels’ Are Devouring Smaller Clubs

Mega conglomerates are feeding a big business machine. Fans are furious.
Feb 10, 2026; Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy; Cory Thiesse and Korey Dropkin of the United States during the curling mixed doubles gold medal game during the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games at Cortina Curling Olympic Stadium
February 20, 2026

Curling Clubs Are Swept Up in Olympics Fever. Can It Last?

Every four years, organizations field an influx of curling-curious patrons.
Oct 10, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Dana Evans (11) shoots against the Phoenix Mercury during the first half of game four of the 2025 WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center.

WNBA Players Make Small Concessions to League in CBA Offer

The union is now asking for a 26% share of total team and league revenue.
Mar 8, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Justin Gaethje (red gloves) fights Rafael Fiziev (blue gloves) during UFC 313 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
February 27, 2026

Top Fight for UFC White House Card in Jeopardy

The event is expected to cost UFC upwards of $60 million.
Nov 27, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) and Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) greet each other after the game at AT&T Stadium.
February 27, 2026

NFL Salary Cap Crosses $300M for First Time

The finalized figure is nearly twice the level of a decade ago.
Sponsored

From USWNT Star to NWSL Franchise Founder

Leslie Osborne, former USWNT midfielder, shares how athletes are moving from the pitch to the ownership table.
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; The NFLPA logo at press conference at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
February 26, 2026

NFLPA Report Cards Leak Despite Ban on Public Release

ESPN first reported the results on Thursday.
WNBA
exclusive
February 26, 2026

WNBA Players Divided Over CBA Approach at Heated Meeting

Fractures are beginning to show among the players.
Greg Norman
February 26, 2026

LIV’s Post-Greg Norman Shakeup Continues

Two executives have assumed roles held by Norman and another former official.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (10) against the Seattle Seahawks during Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium.
February 25, 2026

NFL Is ‘Linchpin Holding’ Cable Bundle Together: Bank of America

The league’s upcoming renegotiations bring heightened risk for networks.