To get a snapshot of current fan attendance across MLS, we compiled stadium attendance stats for Week 17 (August 4, 2021) — exactly halfway through the 2021 season.

Midway through 2021, Major League Soccer (MLS) stadiums are experiencing more typical fan attendance levels, although local health policies may restrict attendance in some stadiums.

Takeaways for MLS attendance in Week 17:

• Seattle Sounders, which shares a stadium with NFL’s Seahawks, led MLS attendance (31,628) in Week 17, with 9,395 more fans than Cascadia rival Portland Timbers (22,233), second highest in attendance and playing at its recently expanded Providence Park.
• Austin FC continued it streak of sell-outs at Q2 Stadium with a full capacity crowd (20,738) in it’s inaugural Texas Derby match against Houston — good for 4th in league attendance.
• Columbus Crew follows right behind (18,398), short of a sell-out at newly-opened Lower.com Stadium.
• New England Revs may be top of the East in points, but fan attendance ranks near the bottom at Gillette Stadium.
• Troubled brand Chicago Fire dubiously ranks last in attendance this week.
• Overall average attendance across MLS in Week 17 was 17,343.

A total of 12 matches were played in Week 17. MLS didn’t release final attendance stats for one match — Montreal’s Stad Saputo.