'Remarkable feat' - EFL named highest attended league body in Europe

The EFL has become “the highest attended league body in Europe” after bringing more than 21million fans through the turnstiles over the past season.

It is the highest total since the 1951/52 campaign following an 11 per cent rise compared to the figures 12 months ago.

Wanderers played their part as League One reported the ninth highest attendance figures in the continent, with more than 5million supporters visiting stadia.

The Whites had the second highest average in the division – behind only Derby, whose total was above six Premier League clubs.

Moreover, there were more than 70,000 supporters in attendance at Wembley for the play-off final against Oxford.

Elsewhere, nearly 13 million fans attended Championship games which is the highest total in its history. That figure made it the second most attended division in Europe, above the Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A.

League Two reported an eight per cent increase, attracting nearly 3.5million fans through the turnstiles for the first time since 1964/65.

There were also 1.8million supporters who attended ties in the Carabao Cup and Bristol Street Motors Trophy, taking the overall total for EFL competitions to 23.7million.

Chief executive Trevor Birch said: “The 2023/24 numbers - not just in stadiums, but inside homes all around the world – are tangible proof that our competitions now rank among some of the most exciting and popular in European football. To be the highest attended league body in Europe is testament to our League and clubs.

“It really is a remarkable feat when you consider the quality of players and football on show across the continent.

“These numbers are not only a result of the strength and depth of the EFL but also highlight the importance of the football pyramid and the reasons why we need to protect it.”