The Big Ten boasts the nation's top three programs in home attendance for the 2024 season
The 2025 Big Ten football season is now less than nine weeks from kickoff. With official visits in the class of 2026 now complete, focus is turning toward the fast-approaching season. For reference, only 16 days remain until the start of the 2025 Big Ten football media days in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The upcoming season will again see iconic venues define some of the Big Ten's greatest moments. In 2024, those moments included Michigan's stunning win at Ohio State, Oregon's impressive regular-season victory over the Buckeyes, and, finally, Ohio State's revenge over the Ducks in the College Football Playoff semifinal at the Rose Bowl.
Looking forward, we recently ranked the Big Ten's 18 football stadiums, as well as each stadium's in-game atmosphere. It shouldn't come as a surprise that the top-ranked venues are also the ones with the largest and most engaged crowds.
The Big Ten is unmatched when it comes to the average size of each team's home crowd. The conference boasts the nation's top three in average home attendance numbers for the 2024 season, according to D1.ticker, plus several more in the top 25.
Here is where each Big Ten program specifically ranks in home attendance in 2024, listed with the stadium's capacity and where the venue lands in our conference power rankings.
18. Northwestern Wildcats
Average attendance: 17,470
Capacity: 12,023
Stadium rank: 13
Northwestern's temporary stadium wasn't built for a large number of people. The demand for tickets is seen in its attendance number, which is 116% of the stadium's listed capacity. While not a typical college football stadium, Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium appears to be a great place to watch a football game.
17. SECU Stadium (Maryland Terrapins)
Average attendance: 36,040
Capacity: 51,802
Stadium rank: 17
Maryland's struggles during the 2024 season contribute to its subpar attendance total. That season saw the program snap a three-year streak of winning records, casting a negative outlook entering 2025 and beyond. Don't be surprised if this number drops further.
16. UCLA Bruins
Average attendance: 46,805
Capacity: 89,702
Stadium rank: 1
The Rose Bowl is our best stadium in the Big Ten. However, that ranking includes the annual Rose Bowl game. UCLA games don't draw consistent enough crowds to bring the venue to life. Part of that is due to the stadium being a significant drive from campus.
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15. Minnesota Golden Gophers
Average attendance: 47,467
Capacity: 50,805
Stadium rank: 15
While not a contender to win the Big Ten, Minnesota consistently fills its stadium. A near 94% average capacity ranks among the best in the conference.
14. Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Average attendance: 48,341
Capacity: 52,454
Stadium rank: 18
Rutgers is riding a strong wave under head coach Greg Schiano, with three bowl appearances in four seasons. That success has led to recruiting success and increased attendance. The question now is whether the program can continue its winning ways.
13. Indiana Hoosiers
Average attendance: 48,374
Capacity: 52,626
Stadium rank: 12
Indiana rocketed up this list in the first year under Curt Cignetti. The program gained nearly 4,000 fans per game, which still includes the early-season contests before the fanbase realized they had a winner. After the team's CFP run, 2025 could see the highest attendance levels in Memorial Stadium history.
12. Illinois Fighting Illini
Average attendance: 54,750
Capacity: 60,670
Stadium rank: 14
Illinois, like Indiana, is set for a major attendance boost after a terrific 2024 season. The team has high expectations entering, and rightfully so. The environment and Memorial Stadium should reflect that sentiment.
11. Oregon Ducks
Average attendance: 59,104
Capacity: 54,000
Stadium rank: 4
Oregon gets the most out of its 54,000-seat stadium, quite literally. On average, the team welcomed 109.45% of the stadium's capacity in 2024. That should continue in future years, with Dan Lanning and the Ducks looking like a perennial national title contender.
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10. Purdue Boilermakers
Average attendance: 59,887
Capacity: 57,236
Stadium rank: 16
Ross-Ade Stadium always shows out well when Purdue is competitive. That did not happen in 2024, to say the least. The start of the Barry Odom era could see a dip in fan interest as the program works to rebuild.
9. Michigan State Spartans
Average attendance: 65,307
Capacity: 75,005
Stadium rank: 11
Spartan Stadium is a sleeping giant. The program hasn't reached a bowl game in three seasons. A fanbase that typically creates one of the best environments in the conference hasn't had much to cheer about. They expect Jonathan Smith and young quarterback Aidan Chiles to begin to turn the tide in 2025.
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8. Washington Huskies
Average attendance: 68,865
Capacity: 70,138
Stadium rank: 6
Husky Stadium is one of the best additions to the Big Ten landscape. While Washington's 2024 season was up-and-down, the venue consistently delivers great crowds and a terrific environment. 2025 could be a breakthrough year for Jedd Fisch and company.
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7. Iowa Hawkeyes
Average attendance: 69,250
Capacity: 69,250
Stadium rank: 7
Unsurprisingly, Iowa averaged a full-capacity crowd during the 2024 season. The Hawkeyes are one of several traditional Big Ten programs that don't need to contend for national titles to fill their stadium and engage their fan base. Kinnick Stadium will continue to be one of the toughest places to play in the conference.
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6. USC Trojans
Average attendance: 71,571
Capacity: 77,500
Stadium rank: 10
The current era of USC football is bringing fans. But even with the large numbers in the stadium, L.A. Memorial Coliseum creates a less-than-stellar environment. Lincoln Riley may need to break through to the CFP before the program returns to its early-2000s atmosphere.
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5. Wisconsin Badgers
Average attendance: 76,057
Capacity: 80,321
Stadium rank: 5
Despite a program downturn dating back to 2022, Camp Randall Stadium continues to be one of the more well-attended stadiums in college football. The venue is set to host several big games in 2025. That said, Wisconsin delivering another bowl-less season could lead to a dip in future attendance numbers.
4. Nebraska Cornhuskers
Average attendance: 86,900
Capacity: 85,458
Stadium rank: 8
Nebraska boasts the longest sellout streak in NCAA history -- 403 games, dating back to 1962. Some may argue the validity of that streak, as many games over the years have been far from full capacity. Either way, the Nebraska fanbase deserves immense credit for filling the stadium through 15-plus years of struggles.
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3. Ohio State Buckeyes
Average attendance: 104,216
Capacity: 102,780
Stadium rank: 2
Ohio Stadium begins a trio of Big Ten venues that lead the nation in average attendance. The capacity crowds and dominant team are part of what make the venue one of the sport's best.
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2. Penn State Nittany Lions
Average attendance: 108,379
Capacity: 106,572
Stadium rank: 3
Penn State tops our ranking of Big Ten stadium atmospheres. That is partially due to a more-than-capacity crowd that nears the 110,000 mark. The start of home CFP games will only further elevate this venue.
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1. Michigan Wolverines
Average attendance: 110,548
Capacity: 107,601
Stadium rank: 9
Michigan Stadium leads the list of overall capacity and average fan attendance. Our specific stadium rankings are another story, although that was explained elsewhere.
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This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Power ranking Big Ten football programs by home attendance in 2024
Category: General Sports