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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Suzanne Wrack

Why do thousands buy tickets to watch the Lionesses and not turn up?

Lionesses England United States Football FA Arsenal Jess Naz WSL Wembley Chelsea
A general view of fans in the stands during the Women's international friendly match between England and China
England friendlies are well attended but a number of ticket holders stay away. Photograph: Alex Burstow/The FA/Getty Images

When the stadium announcer reads out the attendance during England home games, the immediate question that follows relates to the drop-off between the number of tickets sold and the number of fans through the doors.

In 2025, on either side of a phenomenal European title defence in Switzerland, the Lionesses played eight home games, including three at Wembley. Across those fixtures, almost 48,000 bought tickets but stayed away.

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