FCBARCELONA.CAT

10.10.2009 12:03

Nou Camp attendance up by 12.000

www.fcbarcelona.cat

The average attendance at the Nou Camp so far this season has been 12,000 higher than last year, with an average of 75,000 at each game.

The average attendance at the stadium so far this season after six games is 74.254, 12.256 more than for the first six games of last season, when the average was 61.998.

This year's figures are pretty much in line with those of 2004-05 (74.273 , 2005-06 (73.025 ) and 2006-07 (72.550 ), though still short of the numbers for2007-08 (82.002).

More than 70.000 for each league game

In the three laegue games played at the Nou Camp so far this season, attendance has not dropped below 70.000 espectadores, with 71.993 attending the Sporting game, 75.928 present for Atletico Madrid and 74.177 coming to see the match against Almeria.

Last season, just 54.678 saw the game against Racing, came for the clash with Betis and 75.232 attended the Atletico Madrid game.

Pay per view

It's worth noting that two of the three games (Sporting and Almeria) were offered on a pay per view channel, whilst the game against Atletico was broadcast free to air, last year whilst last season all three games were offered free to air.

Champions League

The first Champions League game also saw an increase in spectators, with 68.221 at the Dynamo Kiev game compared to 58,353 who came to see the Sporting game last season. There were also 20,000 more for the Gamper trophy this year.

Kick off time not decisive

Frequently, it's kick off time which mostly influences attendance, but that doesn't seem to be the case this year with 4 of the 6 home games kicking off at 22.00 (Gamper, Super Cup game against Bilbao, Sporting, Atletico Madrid); and only one at 20.00(Almeria).

Last season, three kicked off late at 22.00 (FCB-Wisla de Cracovia, Boca Júniors, Atlético de Madrid), two at 20.00 (Racing and Betis) and one at the Champions League kick off time 20-45 (Sporting de Lisboa).