The NFL's average per-game attendance fell slightly in the 2025 regular season, dropping 0.8% to 69,055 fans—the league's first decline since COVID-19 restrictions eased, according to an analysis by Sports Business Journal's David Broughton and Ben Fischer based on box score data.
The sharpest decreases occurred for teams with poor on-field performance, including last-place finishes: the Tennessee Titans saw a 9.1% drop, the New York Jets 5.1%, and the Cleveland Browns 3.9%.
Leaguewide, tickets distributed reached 97.6% of capacity, down from 98.3% the prior year—despite the 17-game schedule giving an extra home game to AFC teams, which generally have smaller stadiums.
Overall demand remains robust: the 2025 average ranks as the fifth-highest since SBJ began tracking in 2004, well above pre-pandemic lows in 2017-2019. Twelve teams reported 100% or more of capacity filled, and only three (Titans at 85.2%, Jets at 90.8%, Jaguars at 91%) fell below 93%.
Strong international game attendance—seven contests abroad averaging 68,763 fans—helped offset some domestic softness amid rising ticket prices and competing entertainment options. Box score figures reflect distributed tickets (including comps), not necessarily turnstile counts, with occasional reporting inconsistencies noted across venues.