Serie A: Greater investment, increased attendances

Again, just like last season, Serie A appears to be going from strength to strength. This season alone the clubs in the league have received sponsorship revenue of £80 million between them, which combined with television rights, shirt sales, and of course attendance revenue should give them ample money to compete on the transfer market in the next year and develop any stadium plans that are on the horizon. However, today it is with attendances that I want to focus my attention.

Serie A Attendances
Its been said, especially in the English press, that nobody goes anymore. Well, as usually they have done limited research on an issue that they like to run down. For the second year running attendances are on the up in Serie A. All the following stats are from the wonderful www.stadiapostcards.com .

Average Serie A attendances

2006/2007 Season - 19,711 (post calciopoli)
2007/2008 Season - 23,887
2007/2009 Season - 25,495 so far

Best Average Attendances by Club over the last three years

2008/2009 (so far
AC Milan 57,838
Inter Milan 53,450
Juventus 22,318
SS Lazio 35,220
AS Roma 39,964
Napoli 41,156
Fiorentina 30,174
Sampdoria 23,488
Genoa 26,583
Palermo 22,860
Udinese 16,264
Catania 18,213
Torino 16,840
Bologna 20,124

What does this all mean?
In a nut shell attendances on average are increasing. Almost all the big clubs have increased again this season, most notably Lazio from 21,000 up to 35,000 which in the space of one season is a massive increase. Only Torino have suffered a significant downturn in recent years, although this could be more to do with the product, or lack of it, that has been shown on the pitch especially this season.

Where from here?
Hopefully, this trend will continue. With the likes of Villa, Eto'o, Ribery, Adebayor and Diego rumoured to be moving to Serie A this summer then perhaps more fans will flock to see these stars, just as they have done this year with Ibra and Ronaldinho. Additionally, efforts have been made to make stadia more fan and family friendly in Florence recently. They will be removing the netting that separates the Curva Fiesole from the pitch giving the fans a better view. In a time where Ultras in Serie A have been criticised, this is a positive move and a step in the right direction.