In 2024, New League Marks Established in Attendance, Sponsorship Revenue and Additional Key Business Metrics
NEW YORK, Oct. 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The 2024 Major League Soccer regular season, which was completed after an exciting Decision Day of 14 matches on Saturday, has been a record-breaking year with more fans consuming MLS than ever before and with the League continuing to experience significant year-over-year growth.
During the 2024 regular season, more fans in the U.S. and Canada attended MLS matches than ever before in the League’s 30-year history, continued to engage with the League and its clubs on social media at record highs, and purchased MLS merchandise in record numbers – helping the League establish new milestones for retail sales. All of these records have been set while MLS is in the midst of a transformational period that has seen the sport’s greatest player in Lionel Messi choose MLS, the continuation of the League’s groundbreaking partnership with Apple, and a collaboration with Emmy Award-winning production company Box to Box to film an all-access docuseries for fans and new audiences that will debut in 2025.
ATTENDANCE
At the conclusion of the MLS regular season, MLS has set record attendance numbers, grouping MLS amongst the top three leagues in the world. Continuing the extraordinary momentum over the past two years, there continues to be surging demand for MLS as MLS expects to have 12 million fans by the conclusion of MLS Cup presented by Audi.
SPONSORSHIP
Along with record-setting attendance, new corporate sponsors and revenue continue to grow at record levels. Throughout the properties of MLS and Soccer United Marketing (SUM) — the League’s commercial arm — many prominent companies signed on as sponsors of MLS and SUM properties in 2024.
RETAIL
Soccer fans continue to purchase MLS merchandise in record numbers. Lionel Messi ranks No. 1 on the list of top-selling MLS jerseys in the league and continues to rank No. 1 globally for adidas in jersey sales of individual players. Among the league’s 25 top-selling jerseys through MLSstore.com, there are 14 different nationalities, three FIFA World Cup winners and six players aged 25 or younger. Notable sales details include:
SOCIAL & DIGITAL
In addition to the records being set in attendance and consumer products, MLS is also setting highs across its social and digital platforms. Key metrics on the league’s social and digital platforms include:
As MLS continues to become a vital part of the global soccer conversation, the best is yet to come – this season and beyond. The Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs will begin on Tuesday, Oct. 22 and continue until the climactic season finale with MLS Cup presented by Audi on Saturday, Dec. 7. All matches throughout the Audi MLS Cup Playoffs are available on MLS Season Pass on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com.
About Major League Soccer
Headquartered in New York City, Major League Soccer — celebrating its 29th season in 2024 — features 30 clubs throughout the United States and Canada, including a new expansion team in San Diego that will debut in 2025. All MLS, Leagues Cup, and select MLS NEXT Pro and MLS NEXT matches can be watched through MLS Season Pass, available on the Apple TV app on Apple devices, smart TVs, streaming devices, set-top boxes, and game consoles, and the web at tv.apple.com. MLS Season Pass features the most expansive and accessible lineup of programming ever for MLS fans. For more information about MLS, visit mlssoccer.com. For more information about the Apple TV app, visit apple.com/apple-tv-app.
Media Contact:
Peter O’Brien
Corporate Communications
Major League Soccer
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SOURCE Major League Soccer
