ECHL Attendance vs Performance: What the 2024–25 Regular Season Tells Us

As the 2024–25 ECHL regular season came to a close and the Kelly Cup Playoffs got underway, one storyline stood out beyond the scoreboard: how well did team performance align with fan turnout? A closer look at final standings and attendance figures reveals a complex picture. Some teams translated wins into sold-out crowds, while others quietly excelled on the ice but struggled to fill the seats.

Meanwhile, a handful of non-playoff teams packed the house every night, proving that success can be measured in more ways than just points. As the playoffs continue, we also took a closer look at where attendance stands in the postseason—tracking which markets have maintained momentum and which ones have seen early-round drop-offs.

Disclaimer: This is a by-the-numbers review of ECHL attendance during the 2024–25 regular season and through the current stage of the Kelly Cup Playoffs. It does not include market-specific factors such as promotions, arena capacity, economic conditions, or qualitative assessments of team operations.

Attendance vs. Performance: What the Numbers Say

Out of the 16 teams that qualified for the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs, 10 finished in the top half of the league in regular season attendance. Leading the pack was Jacksonville, which averaged 9,234 fans per game, followed closely by fellow playoff teams Fort Wayne (8,185), Toledo (8,037), Tulsa (7,585), Florida (6,758), Orlando (6,621), and Indy (5,648)—all ranked in the league’s top 10 for crowd size. These teams reflect the ideal alignment of strong on-ice performance and sustained fan engagement.

But attendance didn’t always mirror the standings. Several playoff teams—including Trois-Rivières (2,567), Wheeling (2,623), Reading (3,299), Iowa (1,603), Tahoe (3,427), and Wichita (4,037)—ranked in the bottom third for regular season attendance. Despite their postseason success, these markets struggled to fill seats consistently, suggesting local growth opportunities and untapped potential.

Conversely, a few non-playoff teams posted stronger numbers than several playoff qualifiers. Savannah ranked 5th league-wide with 7,485 fans per game, and Cincinnati, despite missing the postseason, averaged 6,620, tying Orlando for 7th overall. These figures prove that while wins help drive interest, loyal fanbases and strong community ties can thrive even without playoff hockey.

Ultimately, the numbers show that while there’s often overlap between team performance and turnout, the relationship isn’t absolute. The ECHL remains a league where passionate markets can emerge from any corner of the standings—and where playoff runs and packed arenas don’t always go hand in hand.

Playoff Teams That Packed the House

Several 2025 Kelly Cup Playoff teams weren’t just dominant on the ice—they drew big crowds all season long. Jacksonville led the entire league in regular season attendance, averaging 9,234 fans per game, followed closely by Fort Wayne (8,185) and Toledo (8,037)—all three playoff contenders with deeply rooted fanbases and consistently energized arenas.

Tulsa, Florida, Orlando, and Indy also finished in the top 10 for attendance, each averaging over 5,600 fans per night. These teams benefited from strong local engagement and brought that momentum into the postseason. Orlando, in particular, saw a boost in playoff turnout—averaging over 7,200 fans per game, an increase from their regular season average of 6,621.

These markets showed that when performance and fan support align, the result is a true home-ice advantage. Whether it’s the roar of the crowd or the tradition of support, these playoff teams proved that packed houses can still be a defining force in the ECHL.

Dante Sheriff #9 – Cincinnati Cyclones
Photo: Héctor Urcia |Inside the RInk

Teams Absent from the Postseason

Thirteen teams did not qualify for the 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs, but several still made a strong impression at the gate. As we mentioned, Savannah ranked 5th league-wide in regular season attendance, averaging 7,485 fans per game, while Cincinnati wasn’t far behind, finishing 8th with 6,620. Even without a playoff berth, these teams proved that fan passion and community support remain strong regardless of the standings.

Greenville (4,704), Allen (4,573), and Atlanta (4,203) all posted consistent regular season attendance in the 4,000s, suggesting stable fan bases that could rebound quickly with improved on-ice performance. Meanwhile, teams like Bloomington, in its inaugural season, averaged 2,797, while Rapid City (3,226), Worcester (4,000), and Utah (5,054) rounded out the lower end of the league’s attendance rankings.

Though these clubs aren’t skating for the Cup, their turnout still matters. For some, the focus will be on roster improvements; for others, it may be about finding ways to deepen fan engagement. Either way, the foundation is there—and the offseason is a chance to build on it.

Cameron Buhl #18/Savannah Ghost Pirates
Photo: Evelyn Jerden | Inside the Rink

League-Wide Snapshot

In total, the ECHL drew over 5.2 million fans across 1,044 regular-season games, averaging 4,984 fans per game. The league’s top five attendance performers—Jacksonville, Fort Wayne, Toledo, Tulsa, and Savannah—offered a mix of on-ice contenders and emerging market darlings. The bottom five—Rapid City, Bloomington, Wheeling, Trois-Rivières, and Iowa—illustrated that success at the gate is not guaranteed by standings alone.

How Teams Fared in Their Own Barns vs. On the Road

Throughout the 2024–25 season, many ECHL teams proved that home ice still holds real weight. Crowd energy, routine, and rink familiarity often played to a team’s advantage—but not always in the way you’d expect. Traditional powerhouses like Jacksonville, Fort Wayne, and Florida had dominant home records, with home win percentages over 69%, backed by some of the league’s largest and most loyal crowds. Toledo and Orlando also performed especially well at home, riding both momentum and fan support into the playoffs.

But not every team relied on home advantage. Trois-Rivières and Kansas City maintained steady win rates on the road, showing that consistency and structure can travel. In fact, some playoff-bound teams had relatively balanced home and road splits, suggesting their systems were more adaptable than crowd-dependent.

Surprisingly, when we looked at the numbers across the league, there was no statistically significant correlation between home win percentage and average attendance. That means while fans absolutely boost atmosphere and intensity, wins are still earned through execution and depth—not just decibel levels. The home crowd matters, but it’s not the only factor in building a successful campaign.

Jacksonville Icemen
Photo: Andrew Fielder | Inside the Rink

2023-24 vs 2024-25 Analysis

League-wide, ECHL attendance remained remarkably consistent year over year. The average attendance in 2023–24 was 4,981 fans per game, and in 2024–25 it rose slightly to 4,984—a stable trend that reflects sustained league-wide interest. Beneath that steady average, however, several teams saw significant movement in either direction.

Indy posted the largest attendance gain, adding 795 fans per game—rising from 4,853 to 5,648. Norfolk added 660 fans per game, Trois-Rivières gained 326, Greenville jumped by 291, and Wheeling improved by 322. These increases highlight emerging momentum in key markets, especially for teams working to rebuild or grow their footprint.

On the other end, Iowa saw the largest decline, dropping by 652 fans per game, while Utah fell by 949, and Rapid City dropped 347. These decreases may reflect challenges ranging from team performance and economic conditions to scheduling and local engagement issues. Even consistent top performers like Jacksonville and Toledo experienced modest shifts, though both remained among the league’s highest-attended clubs.

Two new teams—Bloomington and Tahoe—entered the league this season, debuting with averages of 2,797 and 3,427 respectively. These numbers provide valuable baselines for evaluating future growth in those markets.

While the league average may appear unchanged, the movement at the team level tells a deeper story: of rising energy in emerging cities, market challenges in others, and new benchmarks being set across the board.

Source: ECHL LeagueStat Daily Report – April 15, 2024

Early Playoff Picture: Momentum and Matchups

The 2025 Kelly Cup Playoffs are underway, and early matchups have already delivered a mix of upsets, tight battles, and standout performances. Toledo has lived up to its regular season dominance, leading the league in playoff attendance so far with an average of 7,790 fans per game and backing it up with a strong start on the ice. Orlando, one of the league’s most consistently supported markets, has seen its home crowds grow in the postseason—averaging 7,214 fans per night, up 9% from their regular season numbers. Florida and Fort Wayne are right behind them in terms of both performance and fan presence, each holding strong home-ice atmospheres, despite minor attendance dips.

But not all top seeds have carried their crowds with them into the playoffs. Jacksonville, despite leading the league in regular season attendance, has seen a sharp drop-off in postseason turnout, averaging just 5,788 fans—down 37%. That said, their early-round games remained competitive, and the energy inside VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena still pulses when the team heats up. Meanwhile, South Carolina stayed remarkably steady, with playoff attendance nearly matching regular season levels—an encouraging sign for a market that continues to show loyalty regardless of round or opponent.

League-Wide Overview

Playoff Total Attendance as of 04.30.25: 177,853
Games Played: 41
League-Wide Playoff Average: 4,337
Regular Season League Average: 4,984
🔻 That’s a 13% drop from the regular season average.

Why Attendance Shifts in the Playoffs:
Playoff attendance often fluctuates compared to the regular season due to a variety of factors—short turnaround times between games, weekday scheduling, variable ticket pricing, and uncertainty around how long a series will last. Some markets see surges in fan turnout driven by rivalry matchups or postseason hype, while others experience dips as some attendees may want to wait to see if their team advances to the next round.

Top Performing Teams (Playoff Average vs. Regular Season)*

Team	Playoff Avg	Regular Season Avg	Change
Toledo	7,790	8,037	🔻 -3%
Orlando	7,214	6,621	🟢 +9%
Fort Wayne	6,510	8,185	🔻 -20%
Florida	6,104	6,758	🔻 -10%
Jacksonville	5,788	9,234	🔻 -37%
South Carolina	5,075	5,165	🔻 -2%

Source:
*Playoff attendance data sourced from the ECHL LeagueStat Daily Report, accessed April 29, 2025.

Biggest boost: 🟢 Orlando — up 9%
Biggest drop: 🔻 Jacksonville — down 37%

What Fans Should Take Away

The numbers tell a bigger story than just how many seats were filled—they reflect the pulse of each hockey market. Some fanbases are growing fast (like Indy, Norfolk, and Trois-Rivières), while others like Jacksonville, Toledo, and Fort Wayne continue to lead the way in turnout. The ECHL as a whole stayed solid year-over-year, proving the league’s foundation is strong—and getting stronger in key cities.

Playoff attendance has shown us which crowds stay loud when it matters most. Teams like Orlando and Toledo saw playoff crowds nearly match (or exceed) their regular season numbers, while others experienced the expected early-round dips. But whether you’re part of a sellout or one of a few thousand, the impact is real: the energy fans bring can shift momentum—and you can be certain that the players feel it.

Bottom line? If you’re showing up, you’re part of it. Whether your team is winning or rebuilding, these numbers prove that fans matter. So keep showing up, keep getting loud, and know that the league is paying attention—because what happens in the stands is just as important as what happens on the ice.