How does Sheffield United’s average attendance compare this season compared to Sheffield Wednesday?
The rivalry between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday is one of the fiercest in English football.
Although the two clubs have not met in the league for almost four years now, the animosity between the clubs is as strong as ever.
However, previous meetings between the two were short on entertainment. Since the Blades won 4-2 at Hillsborough in September 2017, the following three games have all ended 0-0.
It’s been a mixed few years for both of them with the Blades being relegated from the Premier League and the Owls being relegated to League One.
But their fortunes are improving as both clubs are currently second in their respective divisions and on course for promotion, although that will mean another season without Steel City Derby should both achieve their ambitions.
We looked at how the attendance figures of the two clubs compare this campaign.
Sheffield United
Bramall Lane has a capacity of 32,050 and Blades fans have almost filled it several times this season this season.
They have the second-highest average attendance in the league at an impressive 28,788, which is perhaps unsurprising given the form in which Paul Heckingbottom’s men have spent much of the season.
The highest attendance this season came for November’s 1-0 defeat by Rotherham United, which was witnessed by 30,700 spectators, with a larger number of away fans likely making the short trip through South Yorkshire.
Their lowest goal this season was 26,363 for the 1-0 loss to Queens Park Rangers in October, but that’s still higher than the average of 22 other Championship teams.
As the Blades continue their march towards the Premier League, we can probably expect to see more near-sold-out games as the season progresses.
Sheffield Wednesday
Hillsborough is a much larger stadium featuring Bramall Lane with a capacity of 39,732.
The average Wednesday attendance this season is 24,001, which is the third highest in League One behind Ipswich Town and Derby County.
Their highest attendance this season was 27,939 in the 2-0 defeat by Barnsley in the South Yorkshire Derby in September.
The Owls fans have shown they will stand behind their team on the big occasions, showing up in their numbers as shown in last season’s play-off semi-final against Sunderland and if their promotion push continues, they will probably do this again in the latter part of the campaign.
