College football crowds are booming. Charlotte is making room
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College football's top tier is on track to set an attendance record of 39 million this season.
Why it matters: Total attendance at Football Bowl Subdivision games last season was just a few big games short of California's population.
Pre-pandemic crowds are back (up 3.7 million since 2021) across FBS games, and then some, according to NCAA data.
- College football attendance at all levels nearly hit 50 million in 2024.
Catch up quick: Attendance at 28 stadiums averaged at least 100% of their listed capacities in 2025, according to D1.ticker. Michigan led the nation, averaging 110,842 fans per home game, or 103% of "The Big House's" capacity.
Zoom in: The Charlotte 49ers averaged 13,564 fans per home game in 2025. That's 89% of Jerry Richardson Stadium's listed 15,314-seat capacity and down 4.0% from 2024.
What we're watching: The 49ers are in the midst of a $70 million football stadium expansion that will add roughly 3,000 seats, including a new tower with premium seating. The project is expected to wrap up ahead of the 2027 season.
What's next: The 49ers host the Citadel on Saturday, Sept. 5, at 3:30pm to open the regular season. Tickets start at $20.24.
Go deeper: Charlotte 49ers add new value menu for football season
Context: FBS expanded from 120 teams in 2009 to 136 teams in 2025, contributing to the attendance increase. Average attendance remains roughly 5,000 below the peak during the 2005–11 seasons.
The big picture: Week 1 will give 2026's attendance numbers an early jolt: Ten of the nation's 11 largest stadiums will host games — easily bringing more than 1 million fans through just those schools' turnstiles.