How the Washington Spirit built its loyal fan base
Axios · Mark Selig ·
The Spirit have gone from averaging 5,000 fans to 16,000 in five years. A ticketing expert says their steady growth is unusually impressive — and potentially a model.
When the Washington Spirit play at home, Audi Field becomes "Rowdy Audi." On Sunday, the soccer club will finish its rowdiest regular season yet.
Why it matters: The playoff-bound Spirit are expecting their sixth sellout in 15 home matches, capping a record-setting year at the gate and offering a lesson in how to build a loyal fan base.
The big picture: The Spirit's attendance growth stands out even amid the women's sports boom, with some National Women's Soccer League teams struggling to fill seats.