How Birmingham City’s average 24/25 home attendances compared to Aston Villa, West Brom | OneFootball

Birmingham City, West Brom and Aston Villa have had mixed fortunes this last couple of seasons, but how do they compare on attendances?

Birmingham City's record-breaking season in League One has assured them a quick return to the Championship. With heavy investment in the team by the club's owners, the Blues sailed to 111 points, 19 clear of second-placed Wrexham. But how do their attendances compare to the other clubs in the area?

It should be kept in mind that the circumstances of these three clubs we are about to compare have been different these last couple of seasons. Birmingham were fighting to get back into the Championship while West Bromwich Albion were fighting to get out of it, but also in an upward direction, and Aston Villa have been hosting both Premier League and Champions League football.

Here's how they compare with each other.

Birmingham reap the rewards of a winning team with average attendance increase

Birmingham's average attendance for the 2024/25 season was 26,717, an increase of 5,537 (or 26%) on the previous season's average figure of 21,180, despite being a division lower following relegation from the Championship at the end of the 2023/24 season.

The capacity of St Andrew's is 29,409, meaning that the stadium was 91% full on average for League matches last season.

Albion attendances increase despite downturn on pitch

West Brom's average attendance for the 2024/25 season was 24,942, an increase of 890 (or 3.7%) on the previous season's average figure of 21,180, despite finishing the 2024/25 season four places lower than they had the year before.

The capacity of The Hawthorns is 26,850, meaning that their ground was 93% full on average for League matches last season.

Aston Villa attendances reflect their Premier League status

Aston Villa's average attendance for the 2024/25 season has been 42,022, an increase of 101 (or 0.02%) on the previous season's average figure of 41,921. The capacity of Villa Park is 42,918, meaning that their ground was 98% full on average for League matches. Villa have been hosting both Premier League and Champions League football this season, as well as a run into the FA Cup semi-finals.

People love to see a winning Birmingham team

The big increase in Birmingham's attendances can be ascribed to new ownership and a winning team. Birmingham were in a pretty sorry state for several years before the start of this season, and the increase in attendances reflects a new spirit of optimism around St Andrew's.

The club have ambitious plans to move to a new home by 2029.

New owners may be key to increases at The Hawthorns

It may seem counter-intuitive that attendances for West Brom matches rose despite the team finishing in a lower league position in 2024/25 than last time around, but for much of the 2023/24 season, the Hawthorns was an unhappy place on account of the club's owners.

A change of ownership in February 2024 seems to have made a big difference there and could be key to further rises in the future.

Aston Villa are living the Premier League high life

Meanwhile, with Champions League and Premier League football on offer, it's no great surprise that attendances at Villa Park are substantially higher than at St Andrew's or The Hawthorns.

Small wonder, then, that Villa have plans to increase the capacity of Villa Park to 50,000 with redevelopment.

The future seems bright across the West Midlands

What is notable immediately about these figures is that all three clubs have seen rises in attendances over the last couple of years regardless of their performances on the pitch. And with Aston Villa already being more or less at capacity and while Birmingham's attendances are increasing dramatically, ground improvements are necessary for this growth.

With Wolverhampton Wanderers having pulled comfortably clear of the Premier League relegation places and Coventry City pushing into the Championship play-offs for the second time in three years, the future really does seem bright for football across the West Midlands.