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Tom Hamilton, senior writer
Arsenal’s 3-1 Women’s Super League win over Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday set a new attendance record for the league.
Arsenal announced in the lead-up to the match that it had sold more than 60,000 tickets and all hospitality packages – the first time the club had been able to achieve this feat in a Women’s Football League match.
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It was confirmed during Saturday’s match that the total attendance reached 60,160 – Surpassing the 59,042 people who watched Arsenal beat Chelsea 4-1 in the league in December.
Arsenal scored three goals in the first half to maintain their place in the title race after Chelsea lost 1-0 to Manchester City on Friday.
The visitors started well and looked dangerous in the opening exchanges, but their day was derailed in the 10th minute when Katie McCabe’s corner kick at the near post was headed into her own net by Geyse.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Katie Zelem’s effort ended up clearing out Chloe Lacasse’s perfect cross to double Arsenal’s lead, and they took a 3-0 lead at half-time thanks to a Kim Little penalty.
Although Lucia Garcia scored an honorable goal in second-half stoppage time, a comeback was never within United’s reach as Arsenal recorded their 10th win of the season.
60,160💫
Emirates Stadium sold out tickets for the first time in @BarclaysWSL date.
Another league record. Another historic moment.
Thank you, goners ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kfnk65c6rM
– Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) February 17, 2024
This is the second time Arsenal have sold Emirates tickets, following the Women’s Champions League semi-final against Wolfsburg in May 2023 which was played in front of 60,063 fans.
Arsenal play six of their 11 home league matches at the Emirates Stadium, allowing for a significant increase in attendance compared to their usual 4,500-capacity stadium at Meadow Park.
Arsenal now hold all five of the WSL’s highest attendance records, with the following four: Arsenal 4-1 Chelsea (10 December 2023 – 59,042); Arsenal 0-1 Liverpool (October 1, 2023 – 54,115); Arsenal 4-0 Tottenham (September 24, 2022 – 47,367); Arsenal 1-1 Chelsea (January 15, 2023 – 46,881).
The club hopes to one day play all WSL matches at Emirates Stadium and lead league matches to be held in larger stadiums across the division.
“The next step is to introduce this on a consistent basis, not just at Emirates Stadium but across the league,” Arsenal chief executive Vinay Venkatesham said.
“We must continue to nurture this audience and achieve sustainable growth for the entire women’s game.”
Speaking after the match, United manager Mark Skinner added: “In the larger context of women’s football, it’s fantastic and I hope it continues to grow.”
