• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
The biggest names in sports media. All in one room. Get your ticket now!

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

May 24, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban celebrates after defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves in game two of the western conference finals for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Target Center.

Mark Cuban on Why NBA Expansion Isn’t Imminent

Cuban said the next CBA could help solve some expansion issues.
Dawn Staley

Dawn Staley Says She Would Have Left South Carolina for Knicks

Staley says she would have made the NBA leap “for women.”
Mat Ishbia

Suns, Mat Ishbia Sued by Minority Owners Looking to Open Books

The limited partners have been seeking a buyout from Ishbia.
Aug 27, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani (17) flies out to left field in the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium.

The Biggest Deferred Contracts In Each Major Sports League

Shohei Ohtani will make $680 million after his contract ends.

Featured Today

Oct 13, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) and wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) celebrate their touchdown pass during the second quarter against the Cleveland Browns at Lincoln Financial Field.

TV Ratings Just Changed Again. The NFL Will Be the Big Winner

Nielsen’s new viewership system will have a big impact on sports.
Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (4) celebrates with offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) after a touchdown catch against Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the first quarter during the College Football Playoff National Championship at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on January 20, 2025.
August 30, 2025

The Most Expensive Roster Year in College Football History

The House settlement created revenue-sharing—and a big NIL loophole.
August 26, 2025

‘You’re Going to Get Beat Up’: The Liberty’s All-Male Practice Squad

A select group suits up weekly to take on the defending champs.
August 24, 2025

The Honey Deuce Effect: How Tennis Perfected the Signature Cocktail

Sold every 1.5 seconds, they total more than $12 million in sales.

NFL’s 16-Game International Slate of Games Nears Reality

The league will play a record seven games outside the U.S. this season.
September 1, 2025

Osaka Ousts Gauff As American Presence at US Open Dwindles

Gauff’s exit shifts spotlight to Pegula, Anisimova, and Fritz at US Open.
September 2, 2025

Liverpool’s $598M Transfer Spree: End of the Title Race Already?

A deal for Swedish striker Alexander Isak highlights a record outlay.
Sponsored

Gareth Bale on MLS vs EPL, Retirement & Buying Cardiff City

Gareth Bale shares his post-soccer business playbook.
September 1, 2025

The Big Money Behind Minor League Baseball’s Renaming Revolution

Teams are rebranding for local pride—and huge revenue.
Dallas Wings
August 29, 2025

WNBA Teams Desperate to Expand Rosters Amid ‘Extreme Hardship’ 

The Wings are scrambling to field eight players Friday night.
August 29, 2025

Who Are the Richest MLB Owners?

MLB owners are among the wealthiest people in the U.S.
August 28, 2025

Selig Backs MLB Salary Cap, but Warns Against Labor Fight

The league’s former commissioner cites salary-cap success in other leagues.