How Nottingham Forest and Derby County's home attendances compare so far | OneFootball

FLW looks at how these two East Midlands rivals shape up in terms of their attendances so far this season

One of the consequences for EFL fans of Nottingham Forest's recent return to the top flight is that we've been robbed of one of the fiercest rivalries in the Championship's calendar.

The East Midlands Derby between Forest and Derby County is steeped in history. Geographically, the two are rivals, but the success of Brian Clough in the dugouts of both often sees the two sides battling over which side can claim him as their club legend.

Since 2007, the matchup between the two has been contested not only for league points or cup progression, but for the Brian Clough trophy, too. It speaks volumes that the two sides have won an equal number of meetings since.

Indeed, like many derbies often are, games are tightly contested. Before Forest's 2-1 win in January 2022, they'd drawn four consecutive games, 1-1, and in four of the five games before then, the score read 1-0 or 0-0.

Unfortunately, that matchup in 2022 is currently the most recent one in the rivalry, with Derby relegated to League One in 2021/22, while Forest celebrated promotion to the Premier League through the play-offs in the same season.

Derby County's attendances at Pride Park so far in 2026/27

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In the time since, the two sides haven't been able to settle who the "bigger" club is on the pitch, and while divisional status can give a hint, so can the number of fans who turn out every other week for home games.

Both Derby and Nottingham Forest have large, passionate followings. Rams fans, especially, have had to endure some tough times in administration but have come out on the right side in a much healthier position.

Through four league games this season, Pride Park has had an average attendance of 27,737, which is actually, so far, the lowest average since their return to the Championship in 2024. Nevertheless, only three second-tier sides have averaged more through the gate.

Derby's ground has the potential to hold 33,597, and that was seen at times last year against traditionally bigger clubs and in big games. For example, games against Coventry City, Leicester City and Middlesbrough drew over 30,000, while games during the run-in, where the Rams were challenging for the play-offs, saw crowds of 31,095 and 32,538.

So, there's the potential for that number to grow, especially if Derby kick on from this slow start, but as it stands, the highest attendance at Pride Park this season is 28,926 for their home opener against Cardiff City.

How Nottingham Forest's attendances compare to Derby County's in 2026/27

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Nottingham Forest have the luxury of playing in the Premier League, where you'll find very few empty seats in games. So far this season, all three of their league outings have been close to a sell-out.

Oliver Glasner's side have an attendance average of 30,697 so far this season, with their top-flight opener against Leeds United just edging out games against Tottenham Hotspur and Coventry City in their highest gate so far.

The Reds' attendance average has been over 30,000 for each of the last two seasons, too, as they battled in and amongst the top six in 2024/25, and then had the excitement of a run to the Europa League semi-finals last year.

So, while Derby have the potential to bring in more through the gate than Forest do right now, it's the Premier League side who have the higher attendance figures this season by just under 3,000.

The City Ground is set for expansion in the coming years, boosting Nottingham Forest's attendances

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With this being Nottingham Forest's fifth straight year in the Premier League, they're as close to being an established top-flight club as you can get currently, and the plans are being put in place to increase the capacity to reflect their extra ticket demand.

Earlier this month, the green light was given to begin the process to increase the overall capacity at the City Ground from 31,000 to 52,000. The Peter Taylor Stand will be fully demolished and replaced, while the Trent End will be developed.

Then, the Brian Clough Stand will be developed, too, which would add a further 7,500 seats to what would already then be a 45,000-capacity stadium.

Evidently, Nottingham Forest see themselves as Premier League regulars for the future, with a ground you'd expect will be filled each week in the top flight.

It seems that, if the East Midlands Derby is to be renewed any time soon, it's Derby who will need to be promoted, rather than Forest being relegated.