Why are there empty seats at sold-out England Lionesses games?

This occurs due to a gap between tickets sold and actual attendance, with factors like early sales and potential attendee drop-offs contributing.

How does England's women's football attendance compare globally?

England's attendances are envied worldwide, with domestic and international fixtures seeing high turnouts, despite the noted gap.

What is the Football Association doing about the ticket gap for the Lionesses?

The FA is analyzing the issue with a cross-functional team, considering factors like early sales, affordability, and fan engagement.

Home / Sports / Lionesses' Empty Seats: Success Creates a Curious Gap

Lionesses' Empty Seats: Success Creates a Curious Gap

11 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Thousands of ticket holders stayed away from Lionesses' home games in 2025.
England's women's football attendance is envied globally despite the gap.
FA analyzes gap, citing early sales and affordability concerns.

Lionesses' Empty Seats: Success Creates a Curious Gap

England's women's football scene is a global benchmark for attendance, yet a noticeable gap persists between tickets sold and fans present at Lionesses' matches. In 2025, thousands of ticket holders did not attend home fixtures, a trend that has drawn criticism, especially for sell-out games at Wembley. This phenomenon occurs despite the sport's burgeoning popularity and high overall attendance figures.

The Football Association attributes this gap to several factors. Tickets often go on sale months in advance, capitalizing on tournament highs, which increases the likelihood of potential attendees' plans changing. The low price point of tickets, while promoting accessibility, also means some fans may choose not to attend if other issues arise, such as poor weather or scheduling conflicts with men's fixtures.