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There is no doubt in our mind that football fans are some of the most passionate spectators in the world. This support has been a spectacle to watch as one franchise tries to outcheer another. This got us thinking, what are the best NFL fan bases this season?
Even though there are 32 NFL teams in the league, some have always maintained better support. Teams like the Las Vegas Raiders have a reputation for being aggressive, and the Eagles will fight with just about anyone. How did we decide what are the best NFL fan bases? We investigated this season’s home and road attendance at every franchise. Plus, we paid close attention to what fans were saying online.
NFL fan bases do not hold back, making it straightforward to see which ones have the best support. This season has seen a big change in our top ten as New York fans stepped up again. The NY-based teams fell short of the Super Bowl, but the fans deserve recognition. If you think we have our list all wrong, make sure you reach out via social media channels to let us know. Plus we have plenty of exciting football lists, like the worst quarterbacks and best NFL defenses ever.
10. New York Giants
The tenth-best NFL fan base goes to the New York Giants. The Giants are one of the most successful NFL franchises of all time with eight League Championship victories. They won four Super Bowls and four NFL Championships before the AFL and NFL merger in 1970. The team has not won a Super Bowl since 2011, and last season was one of the strongest from the Big Blue fans.
The New York Giants had eight home games this season and nine matches on the road. They averaged a home attendance of 79,307 per game, the second most in the NFL in 2023. The road support was up compared to previous years, with an average of 69,765 fans at each game. With numbers like that, it is no surprise they were the third most-watched team in the regular season last year, only behind Dallas and the Jets.
.@ShaunMorash absolutely torches Eagles fans 😳 pic.twitter.com/ivcQX4NAHF
— WFAN Sports Radio (@WFAN660) March 20, 2024
There is no debate that the Giants’ home attendance is incredible. The gigantic MetLife Stadium allows for more fans at the games, and they often play in front of a full house. The away numbers are lower than other franchises, so they only make it to tenth place on our list of the best NFL fan bases. However, looking at the historical success of the team and the large numbers they draw with little postseason success, support for the Giants is as strong as ever.
- Twitter Followers: 2M
- Reddit Members: 215k
- Facebook Followers: 3.5M
- Instagram Followers: 2.7M
9. Kansas City Chiefs
Unsurprisingly, one of the best NFL fan bases this year has to be the Kansas City Chiefs. Ever since 2019, the support for the Chiefs has been thriving. With the help of Taylor Swift and consecutive Super Bowl victories, Kansas City is loud and proud of their support of the team. The franchise had a long wait from its first Super Bowl to its current success, so let the fans enjoy it while it lasts.
Looking at the NFL attendance stats provided by ESPN the Chiefs’ home support has steadily decreased. The Arrowhead Stadium has a capacity of over 76,000 on game day ever since they completed the 2010 renovation. This season, Kansas was down in tenth place for average home attendance with 70,968. We put this down to expectations dropping throughout the season as the Chiefs struggled in 2023. However, they more than made up for it with the road support. They averaged only around 100 fewer fans per game on the road than at home.
While home support dwindling is never a good sign, growing road support is the exact opposite. Anybody can fill out a home arena, but having fans willing to travel across the country to support the team is exactly what we want to see. The number of Kansas City fans at road games has increased drastically. Given their Super Bowl success this season, we only expect the numbers to grow.
- Twitter Followers: 2.5M
- Reddit Members: 346k
- Facebook Followers: 2.7M
- Instagram Followers: 4.2M
8. Seattle Seahawks
Next on our list of the best NFL fan bases is the Seattle Seahawks. The Hawks had to wait for their first Super Bowl win, but the support has been fantastic. They are one of the noisiest fan bases in the league and have set Guinness World Records twice for the loudest crowd noise at a sporting event. They recorded 136.6 decibels against the 49ers and 137.6 against the Saints in 2013.
Seattle might not have the highest home attendance record in the NFL, but that is because of the size of Lumen Field. With a capacity of 68,740, Seattle can’t compete with the likes of Dallas and the New York teams for home numbers. However, with a road support of 71,482 on average per game, more Seattle fans travel with the team then fill the rafters on game day. Being the only franchise in the Pacific Northwest is an advantage, as fans from neighboring states show their support.
The Seahawks are not a very successful NFL team, which is why the support is even more impressive. The fans are loud, passionate, and willing to travel to watch every game. That is exactly why they deserve recognition as one of the best fan bases in the NFL.
- Twitter Followers: 2.5M
- Reddit Members: 245k
- Facebook Followers: 3.5M
- Instagram Followers: 3.3M
7. New York Jets
The New York Jets joined the American Football League in 1960 and did not have to wait long for Super Bowl success. They picked up the coveted trophy in 1968 at the Super Bowl but have yet to win the grand prize since. They have struggled recently, last making a playoff appearance in 2010. Even though the success has dried up, the support is stronger than ever.
The Jets call the MetLife Stadium home, and the venue has a capacity of 82,500 depending on the event. In 2023, the NY Jets averaged 77,890 fans at home, the third-best in the league. Out of the top ten teams with the most home fans, the Jets have the greatest number of road fans on average. They managed 73,117 fans per road game, which is fourth in the entire NFL. Looking at the combined averages, the Jets had the second most fans in attendance, with 1.28 million across the 17 games.
Including a team like the Jets is controversial. While everyone knows how good Green Bay or Philadelphia fans are, the New York Jets do not get enough recognition. Given how enthusiastically they supported the team this year, even though they were not even close to postseason success, it says a lot about the franchise.
- Twitter Followers: 1.3M
- Reddit Members: 151k
- Facebook Followers: 1.7M
- Instagram Followers: 1.1M
6. New England Patriots
If you were judging the best NFL fan bases by the average home attendance, you would overlook the New England Patriots. The Pats play in Gillette stadium, which only has a capacity of 64,628. Even though the home venue is small compared to rivals in the league, they have little trouble selling it out. Whether it’s because of the success of the Belichick and Brady era or whether New England has consistent support, we will see. Especially since the era of Bill Belichick is over and Tom Brady retired, will we see the numbers decline?
The Patriots averaged just over 63,000 fans on average per home game. That leaves them 29th in the league standings in 2023. Where they claw things back comes from the road support. New England averaged 74,747 fans per game this year, the most in the NFL. You can tell a lot about a team based on the road support, and the Pats having the best surprised us. The franchise last lifted the Super Bowl in 2019 and has not made the playoffs since 2021, so you would expect to see lower numbers.
Maybe next year we will see a decline in fans if they fall short once again of playoff success. However, given the golden era has officially ended, it might be some time before New England can rise again and challenge the likes of the Chiefs. Time will tell, but they remain one of the best NFL fan bases.
- Twitter Followers: 4.6M
- Reddit Members: 778k
- Facebook Followers: 6.3M
- Instagram Followers: 5M
5. Buffalo Bills
Next on our list is the Buffalo Bills. The Bills have a reputation for their tremendous support, commonly referred to as the Bulls Mafia. The franchise only tasted success in the 60s before the AFL-NFL merger. Those remain the only two victories Buffalo has received, including four consecutive Super Bowl finals in the 90s without a win. Only the Vikings and Bills have made it to four finals without winning the Super Bowl.
Given the lack of success throughout their history, you would excuse their fans for a lack of support. However, they are consistently passionate, even during dreadful seasons. Looking at the 2023 attendance stats on ESPN, Buffalo is 15th for average home attendance. Once again, this does not tell the full picture as the stadium only has a capacity of 71,000. The franchise averaged around 69,000 fans at home and on the road this season, putting them 14th overall.
𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂. ❤️💙#GoBills | #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/ZQKMrglvnf
— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) March 6, 2024
This may not sound like a team that deserves a spot in the top five for best NFL fan bases, but the numbers don’t tell the entire story. If you watch or visit the Highmark Stadium, you are in for a fantastic atmosphere, no matter the score. Plus, the Bills’ support will continue to grow, having made six playoff appearances in the last seven years. There is a resurgence in the Bills team that finally reflects the fantastic crowd’s support.
- Twitter Followers: 1.7M
- Reddit Members: 236k
- Facebook Followers: 1.2M
- Instagram Followers: 1.7M
4. Pittsburgh Steelers
Next on our list of the best NFL fan bases is the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers have always been one of the most vocal fan groups in football, having been a key part of the league since 1933. With 34 playoff appearances and six Super Bowls, the fans have seen it all throughout the decades. However, even with the success in the 70s and then again in the 2000s, they have not won a Super Bowl in 15 years. This drought has a tangible impact on supporters.
This year, Pittsburgh is 23rd for the total attendance across the 17-game season. That is standard for the franchise, and they consistently sit towards the bottom of the league table. The home stadium has a capacity of 68,400, and the Steelers are close geographically to several other teams. They might not see the game numbers like the teams in New York, but they have better road support.
When creating the list of the best NFL fan bases, the numbers don’t always tell a complete story. The statistics do not show the Steelers as a major voice in football, but they are. They have passionate fans, and their numbers are steady even though it has been years since they have tasted genuine success.
- Twitter Followers: 3.7M
- Reddit Members: 291k
- Facebook Followers: 5.9M
- Instagram Followers: 3.6M
3. Philadelphia Eagles
Now that we are in the top three best NFL fan bases, we can talk about the groups of people who bring it every year. There is no debate that the Philadelphia Eagles fans are some of the most passionate in the entire country. Not only are they willing to fight anybody over everything, but they have some fantastic numbers both home and away from this campaign.
The Eagles managed 69,878 fans on average per home game. That may not sound impressive, but they play at the Lincoln Financial Field, which has an official capacity of 67,594. Are people sneaking in? We are not sure. But you rarely see a home attendance higher than the stadium capacity. The Philadelphia numbers for road support are even more impressive, with 73,857 per game. That puts the franchise second in the 2023 leaderboard, only behind New England.
Any team with a better road number than home support deserves a special mention. However, the Philadelphia fans have long enjoyed a reputation as one of the best in the league. Regardless of your opinion, they have a strong passion for football.
- Twitter Followers: 3.8M
- Reddit Members: 329k
- Facebook Followers: 3.8M
- Instagram Followers: 3.5M
2. Dallas Cowboys
If you are searching for the most-watched team in the NFL, it’s the Dallas Cowboys. They play at the AT&T Stadium, which has a maximum capacity of 105,000. The team is another enduring a long wait for success at the Super Bowl, but that does not affect the crowd numbers too much. Having won five Super Bowls, their last victory came in 1995. They have made the playoffs seven times in the last 23 years, but the 1990s golden age is well and truly over.
Nobody can get close to the Cowboys in terms of home numbers. They only had eight home games this season and still managed nearly 50,000 fans more than any other franchise. In 2023 they averaged 93,594 fans per game, the most in the league by almost 20,000. The road attendance dropped compared to last season, as they only managed 69,998 per game this campaign. That still left the team with a total attendance of 1.37 million, almost 100,000 more fans than the Jets in second place.
While the gigantic stadium allows for more people at the games, and inflates the numbers, the fans are still passionate. You could reduce the stadium by 20,000 and it would still be an outstanding venue to watch football. However, the road fan numbers are lower than last season, paving the way for a new team at the number one spot.
- Twitter Followers: 4.4M
- Reddit Members: 404k
- Facebook Followers: 8.1M
- Instagram Followers: 4.8M
1. Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have the best NFL fan base in the league. The team is the third oldest football franchise in the league and was incredibly successful before the AFL-NFL merger. Before the Merge, they won 11 Championships and have picked up four Super Bowls since 1966. The most recent victory came in 2010, and the franchise made ten playoff appearances since then.
Looking at the attendance numbers for 2023, Green Bay had the fourth-best home support of any team in the NFL. They averaged 77,829 fans at home games across the season, an increase of nearly 2,000 on last year. The away support is not as strong as other franchises, but it’s up massively on last season. In 2022, Green Bay was 31st for road support numbers, now they are 18th. Looking at the overall numbers, the Packers had 1.24 million fans at the games this year, the fourth highest in the league.
For all your support, all season long…
Thank you, #Packers fans 💚💛#GoPackGo pic.twitter.com/Cu6HtT28Hm
— Green Bay Packers (@packers) January 11, 2023
While the Cheeseheads are lacking this year with road support, they have a reputation for being loud, committed, and almost eccentric for the Packers. That is the type of fan we are here to celebrate. We want to see the best NFL fan bases full of cheer, crazy costumes, face paint, and the works! After all, what would football be if not for the fans?
- Twitter Followers: 2.6M
- Reddit Members: 397k
- Facebook Followers: 4.9M
- Instagram Followers: 2.7M
