Sunderland’s return to the Championship saw a huge increase in their average attendance, which even eclipsed Juventus.
The Black Cats returned to the second tier last season after tasting play-off success in May and this term fans have flocked to the 49,000 capacity Stadium of Light in droves.
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Over 40,000 fans were present at the Stadium Of Light for Sunderland’s opening weekend win over Coventry
Tony Mowbray led Sunderland to fifth in the Championship after taking the reins at the end of August
Tony Mowbray’s side have made a good start to the Championship and currently sit fifth in the table, eight points behind leaders Sheffield United.
Sunderland have played three home league games so far this season and have an average attendance of 38,392.
This represents an increase of 7,545 on last season’s average and their highest level since the club’s last season in the Premier League in 2016/17, when the numbers reached 41,287.
The impressive numbers generated by Sunderland fans puts them ahead of two-time Champions League winners Juventus.
La Vieille Dame had a hesitant start to the season and posted an average attendance of 37,634 spectators.
Juventus have only sold the 41,507-seat Allianz Stadium once this term, possibly due to their spotty form which saw them drop to eighth in Serie A and without a point in the second leg. their first two Champions League games.
Juventus’ Allianz Stadium has only been sold once this season
Sunderland’s 49,000-seat stadium has better average attendance than Juventus and Napoli
It’s not just Juventus that Sunderland are ahead with Champions League regulars Napoli averaging 35,657 despite the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona being able to hold 54,726.
The Estadio Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan stadium in Seville has a capacity of 43,883, but their average is 37,158.
Other notable clubs behind Sunderland this season include Ligue 1 side Leeds, Lille and Serie A side Fiorentina.
The Stadium of Light will be back in the spotlight next weekend when Preston North End travel to Wearside on Saturday, while Juve entertain Bologna the following day.
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