The Qarabag match against FCSB in the Europa League marked a low attendance, setting an unfortunate record.
Idman.biz reports that during this 2024/25 season, it was the first time that Tofig Bahramov Stadium was less than two-thirds full for a Qarabag European match, with only 16,583 spectators attending the game. This is just over half of the stadium’s capacity.
This is a notable change considering Qarabag has played seven home games in Europe this season, and the crowd sizes have generally been higher, except for this recent encounter. One could have predicted this attendance drop after considering previous results. For example, after Qarabag’s victory over Lincoln, the crowd grew. However, after losing to Ludogorets in Baku, the team advanced to the next round, but the crowd numbers didn't increase further.
The record attendance for an Azerbaijani club this season came during the Champions League playoffs. However, as the losses mounted, the attendance numbers steadily dropped. From a high of 29,800 spectators, the figure decreased to 16,583 by the FCSB match.
It’s important to note that this drop in numbers doesn’t necessarily mean Qarabag’s true supporters are dwindling. The core fans, who show up rain or shine, remain by the team’s side, both for domestic and international games. For instance, in the Shamakhi match, the number of attendees was a modest 1,010.
What’s actually shrinking is the pool of fans who only engage with European competitions and who are primarily driven by results. Their interest in watching Qarabag play depends on the outcomes of matches. A defeat, especially in high-stakes games, discourages them from attending.
True Qarabag supporters are always there—through cold, rain, and sunshine, whether the team is facing Sporting, Chelsea, or even Vorskla and BATE. These loyal fans will be back in two days at Tofig Bahramov Stadium, cheering on their team against Turan Tovuz. Meanwhile, the fair-weather fans, who flock to the games based on the team’s performance, will begin looking forward to next season.
Qarabag’s Home Attendance in the Current Season’s European Matches:
Qarabag vs Lincoln – 5:0 (23,700)
Qarabag vs Ludogorets – 1:2 (29,300)
Qarabag vs Dinamo – 0:2 (29,800)
Qarabag vs Malmö – 1:2 (28,234)
Qarabag vs Ajax – 0:3 (27,520)
Qarabag vs Lyon – 1:4 (22,563)
Qarabag vs FCSB – 2:3 (16,583)
Idman.biz
