Record-breaking crowds for Bundesliga

The DFL (German Football League) announced record-breaking attendances in the first half of the 2011-12 Bundesliga season.

An unprecedented 6.78 million fans attended the league’s 153 games between August and December of 2011, an average of 44,345 spectators per match. The figures represent a seven per cent increase relative to the previous season.

In spite of the league’s high demand, cost of admission has remained consistent, with the average ticket priced at 22.43 euros.

“The numbers are a testament to the attractiveness of the competition in the Bundesliga, which thrilled fans with top-class sport and excitement more than in any other league,” DFL chairman Christian Seifert told the official Bundesliga website.

“In addition, the strategy of the clubs to use moderate ticket prices and impose great comfort and high safety standards obviously helps.”

In addition, the 2.Bundesliga has seen a sharp rise in attendance. The DFL revealed that on average, 17,125 turned out per game, a 27 per cent increase over last season’s figure of 13,474.