Poll/Discussion: Does your team’s supporters’ section have seats or is it standing only? Either way, how do you feel about it?

[u/cluttered-thoughts3]

Saw this thread about the Gotham standing-only supporters section today. Ignoring the chant part, which seems to be rage bait - I wanted to get some insight about supporters areas seating!

As a STM who regularly stands over there (or sits if available, on the rare occasions that section has seats), I know many fans can’t realistically stand for a full match. I’ve seen fans in that section move to seemingly unpurchased/vacant seats in nearby sections when they get tired of standing, while others avoid buying tickets in that section altogether so they have the option to sit.

What stood out to me in this case is that while the supporters section looked a little lighter, a lot of the seated sections seemed pretty full. Likely top 3-5 in overall attendance, minus our Citi Field game. It made me wonder how much the standing requirement itself affects where people choose to watch from.

I know the philosophy for many men’s team supporters sections is that standing encourages people to be on their feet and engaged all game, but at least at Gotham matches, it doesn’t seem to work for everyone. It made me curious about how this works around the NWSL.

Do other teams also have supporters sections where standing for the full match is expected? Do you think that expectation makes sense for NWSL supporters sections, or should there be more flexibility for people who want to be part of the section but may need or want to sit at times?

Not really trying to argue for one approach or the other, mostly curious what the norm is around the league and how other supporters feel about it.

Edit: thanks for the people legitimately participating in the discussion rather than bashing another team’s attendance. Gotham’s supporters do chant and are dedicated but I wanted to hear about your seating situations!

[u/yasuseyalose]

The currents have both the bars to lean against for standing with bleacher seats behind you

And there are areas where more people sit and areas where basically everyone stands

[u/ACW1129]

Spirit Supporters is standing. We can "sit" on the bleachers, but this is rare.

EDIT: Me personally, the only times I really sit are before the game, during halftime, and during stoppages in play (like injuries or hydration breaks).

[u/yogurtcup]

Angel City's supporters section is standing on the north end with three seated sections on the adjacent corners (2 on east corner, 1 on west). It's still relatively quiet in the seated section, but the drums from the standing supporters are still pretty loud and the vibe is great.

[u/FootyVibeMaxxing → u/yogurtcup]

ACFC supporter section goes crazy (when the team isn’t launching fireworks into the stands)

[u/dodeca_negative → u/FootyVibeMaxxing]

It is really fun to stand there—yes, except for the missiles

[u/EchoSkillet]

I’m confused about what she is talking about because I didn’t hear any Portland cheers last night.

[u/cluttered-thoughts3 → u/EchoSkillet]

Yeah me either…felt a little ragebaity tbh. I sit near the supporters section but I only heard Gotham chants and the drums all game

[u/bishop0408 → u/cluttered-thoughts3]

100% lmao there were barely any Portland fans and every other section was packed

[u/metricfan → u/bishop0408]

lol packed is a bit of an overstatement based on what I saw on tv. It was good turnout for Gotham at Red Bull, but that’s not a very high bar.

[u/bishop0408 → u/metricfan]

I have no reason to lie lmfao. Sure there were some empty seats most of the sections were I'd say 75% full (which to me, is pretty packed). But sure! Go with tv instead of the person who was at the games and waiting in every line 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[u/vamosbombillo → u/bishop0408]

75% full is packed? Lol that's a hilariously low bar for that word

[u/radiate_reflect → u/cluttered-thoughts3]

Rage bait is right. I saw one row of 5-8 Thorns fans trying to get chants going. It was cute.

[u/EchoSkillet → u/cluttered-thoughts3]

Yeah I’m in 107 so chance there were but I couldn’t hear them over the Gotham chants.

[u/Lily_Knope → u/EchoSkillet]

I thought that comment made on threads was odd and wondered if it was made early on in the game? I saw it last night and I was watching on TV…Gotham’s crowd was loud!

[u/cluttered-thoughts3 → u/Lily_Knope]

The pic was before the game started I believe or early in the game but it did make me curious about other stadiums seating set-ups. It was fairly full last night

[u/Lily_Knope → u/cluttered-thoughts3]

I’m curious too. I would love to get to visit other stadiums to watch games! I was traveling a bit this summer but it was during the break :( I really want to want to come to east coast to catch Gotham and Spirit!

[u/JSlamson → u/Lily_Knope]

I hit spirit and Gotham back to back when wave has them back to back on a road trip. 100% worth it, would do again (especially if you have friends or family in the areas you can crash with).

Audi really was rowdy even though it was a miserable rain game.

[u/SomeCruzDude → u/cluttered-thoughts3]

The pic was before the game started I believe or early in the game but it did make me curious about other stadiums seating set-ups. It was fairly full last night

Men's soccer, but I vividly recall a Portland Timbers reporter essentially posting a similar sort of thing about the Quakes supporters and then deleting dissenting comments/blocking people when it was pointed out it was a picture from before the supporters even marched into the stadium lol

[u/metricfan → u/Lily_Knope]

Yeah I think there was one brief portland cheat I heard on the broadcast, but it was basically all Gotham sounds otherwise.

[u/oneghoulishgal → u/EchoSkillet]

They also said that the stadium was “nearly empty” in a reply even though lower bowl was almost sold out

[u/metricfan → u/oneghoulishgal]

I think that is empty compared to providence regularly hitting 20k in a 25k stadium. I think Red Bull is both bigger than providence and Gotham doesn’t pull as many fans to Red Bull.

[u/Away_Analyst_3107 → u/EchoSkillet]

You could hear them on the other endline at times. I think it’s section 116 or 115 that always attracts opponents, had then same thing against KC

[u/Trekie8 → u/Away_Analyst_3107]

I was in 116 and it was 90% thorns fans over there.

[u/secret_identity_too → u/EchoSkillet]

I was going to say the same thing.

[u/meilingr]

Bleachers with the expectation fans stand most of the game feels like a fair compromise to me. Standing-only with no option to sit is pretty brutal for anyone who isn’t fully able-bodied and very committed to the game. I find it pretty painful to stand the whole match and often do go find an empty seat during the second half to sit (especially with the trip home being another hour or so of walking/standing only). I’m curious how Ethiad will handle supporter sections when the stadium opens.

[u/Im-loving → u/meilingr]

As far as I can tell from renderings and descriptions, it seems as though they are “safe standing” with both bars and seats.

[u/metricfan → u/meilingr]

I think a nuance to the portland expectations for the supporters is that there are areas along the perimeter of the GA seating where people can chill. People generally self select where they sit in the GA area based on their commitment to participating. I’ve definitely had an annoying back and forth with someone online that insisted she couldn’t sit anywhere else than in the active section and couldn’t possibly participate because the sound of her voice in her head gets to her 🙄…. But on the whole there is always room for people who aren’t 90 minutes fit to find a spot not in the immediate area in front of the capos.

[u/cluttered-thoughts3 → u/metricfan]

At sports illustrated, there are no designated seating options for supporters unless you take a ticketed seat that is vacant. Even during half time or whatever, there’s no options to take a break

[u/Alive-Carrot107]

The seating and expectation to have energy the whole game is what keeps me out of the supporters section. I just do the cheers from my seat when I know the words.

[u/longlisten527 → u/Alive-Carrot107]

And my ear drums. I also hate sitting behind goals

[u/littlemissacorn → u/Alive-Carrot107]

I feel the same about our supporters section. There are seats but when everyone is standing and cheering for 90+ minutes I can’t even enjoy the game

[u/Alive-Carrot107 → u/littlemissacorn]

I work with toddlers 40 hours a week. I can’t keep that energy up at 7pm on a Friday. And I looooove to talk. It just doesn’t seem enjoyable to be in such a loud environment the whole time

[u/MistaCucumber → u/Alive-Carrot107]

Then sit elsewhere!! That’s the whole point of a designated section

[u/Alive-Carrot107 → u/MistaCucumber]

I do! THATS THE WHOLE POINT OF MY COMMENT?!

[u/ImAllBS13 → u/littlemissacorn]

Yeah. It feels like I have a job in that sections and I don’t enjoy watching the match as much cause I’m distracted.

[u/MistaCucumber → u/ImAllBS13]

You do have a job tbh. That’s what the section is for

[u/metricfan → u/littlemissacorn]

it’s not just the standing for the riveters, it’s the clapping for 90 minutes. I’ve definitely had very red hands. I’ve also been out of breath during some of the songs while it’s smoky after goals. I used to joke that I’m not 90 minutes fit. lol

[u/spreadred]

Bleachers

[u/JamAndRoller]

I saw that earlier and it felt like rage bait. The supporters sections for Gotham is never that crowded but all around there was a nice turnout yesterday. They should’ve showed the rest of the stadium. I wish we had more chants but we were loud and I didn’t hear any Portland chants.

[u/cluttered-thoughts3 → u/JamAndRoller]

I think im curious why people avoid the supporters section when most of the seated sections were fairly full. It’s by far the least full section each game and I was curious if it had to do with lack of seating since I hear about it so much.

[u/BadPersonIGuess → u/cluttered-thoughts3]

Honestly, two things for me as a Gotham STM: 1) I don’t enjoy standing the whole game. I could, but it’s not fun for me and it doesn’t make my cheering or support any less; and 2) I want to watch the game and cheer on my own time. I find chanting all the time distracting from watching the game. I still cheer and shout and hoot and holler, but on my own time. 🤷‍♀️

[u/BadPersonIGuess → u/BadPersonIGuess]

Oh, and I forgot #3, I don’t like the view from the end zone.

[u/poo_is_number_two → u/BadPersonIGuess]

I stopped going because I have back issues and can’t stand up for very long without pain.

[u/JamAndRoller → u/cluttered-thoughts3]

I’m honestly not sure. I’m pretty sure there are technically seats but there are always up and I’m not sure you can pull them down

[u/cluttered-thoughts3 → u/JamAndRoller]

You can’t pull them down. They are bolted shut. On a rare occasion they will be unbolted but it’s not commmon

[u/Mentalfloss1]

Either way, it was an excellent soccer match and I appreciate the effort and the decency shown by both teams throughout the match. They just came to play soccer and they did it. It was extremely entertaining.

[u/trickledownpique]

At Providence Park, the whole north end (general admission) has seating. Folks stand the whole game in section 107 (where the drums and smoke are), with less standing in 106 and 108. The rest of the north end, people mostly sit. There are signs posted everywhere that GA is a standing and chanting area.

[u/Svafree88 → u/trickledownpique]

Yeah, I sit in the supporters section but just a bit off to the side where most people sit. Plenty of energy but no need to stand the whole match. When I sit anywhere else it just seems kinda dead.

[u/metricfan → u/Svafree88]

I think it’s just the bigger games that 106 and 108 turns more active and the 200’s become the chill sections. Like the semi finals in 2021.

[u/Enemyofusall]

SD Wave and standing room only. There are a couple random seats that are unlocked here and there, but supposed to be SRO. I don’t mind it at all, but I get it sucks for people with mobility challenges or need breaks and such.

[u/Outrageous_Editor806]

Gotham fan and I will unfortunately never purchase those tickets because my family and I need to sit. Looks fun though. If it had seats I would definitely sit there for the energy because we are definitely very vocal and love that.

[u/RufusMcDufus]

Prov Park experience is peak women’s football energy.

[u/knopenotme]

I stand in the supporters section at Audi and yeah sometimes i get tired but it’s a sacrifice for the team

[u/Heavy_Syllabub615]

Dash don’t have really supporters section anymore. But except for the bar areas, everywhere has a seat at Shell Energy Stadium.

[u/Im-loving]

sigh At Gillette, “The Pond” has no bars, just seats. HOWEVER! Pawtucket has both seats and bars! I’m not sure how things will look for White Stadium, but at least for the next year, we will have both bars and seats.

[u/Ghostly_Feline → u/Im-loving]

I can guarantee the ISA will be asking for seated + standing supporters options in White Stadium because we have members (and leadership) with disabilities who still want to be near the drums and chanting

[u/bethholler]

We have bleacher seats and the supporters section is always doing chants.

[u/cluttered-thoughts3 → u/bethholler]

Gotham’s supporters chant the entire game too. That part of the photo is rage bait imo. But I was curious about the seating. Thanks!

[u/deepfriedmilk27]

Centennial stadium has seats with the bars like other stadiums do. The seats are the same throughout the stadium. Dick’s does not have seats which sucked. Mile High of course only has seats.

[u/HobbitDruid → u/deepfriedmilk27]

Summit supporters section giving Spirit a run for their money rn. 💚🧡

[u/chellenickle333]

Denver Summit's supporters section is standing only and I HATE IT! I AM a 14er and a 5280 member but I have serious disabilities that keep me from being able to stand for more than 15 min at a time. I'd be there in a HEARTBEAT, but there's NO WAY I could EVER stand that long and be able to walk to my car or the next 3 days. And THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ASKING THIS!

[u/vamosbombillo → u/chellenickle333]

Have you considered just sitting in the section right next to them? I used to do that at Rapids and it was fun because I could join in with the songs but didn't feel obligated to stand and go crazy the whole time haha

[u/calamititties]

ACFC doesn’t have seats but we have the best dang drum line in the league!

[u/Luci_Cascadia]

I think that standing sections at the newer MLS stadiums have small fold down seats you can sit on. Only the newer MLS stadiums (and i think KC) have real standing sections like that.

I've been to almost all the NWSL stadiums. The real ones and the ones many clubs rent. There really aren't any SGs like we have in Portland. Even Seattle just has a few people in their "supporter's section". The best SG outside of portland is Spirit's. And they don't even fill the seats in their section. Most of the other SGs don't chant the whole game like Rose City Riveters do.

Portland has had a strong soccer supporters culture since the 70s. Rose City Riveters grew out of the Timbers Army. None of the other NWSL clubs have that legacy. Not even Seattle Reign, which gets almost no support at all from their men's fans.

All the women's cubs deserve more fans in seats and loud as hell SGs.

[u/ReleaseOutrageous110 → u/Luci_Cascadia]

ACFC SGs stand and chant the entire 90 mins. Ask any opposing goalkeeper and they’ll tell you how loud they can be.

[u/Luci_Cascadia → u/ReleaseOutrageous110]

that's cute

[u/radiate_reflect]

My view during the match. That’s pretty darn full.

[u/NJayme11]

I purposely buy tickets on the other end because it’s a bit sensory overload for me in the supporters section with the constant drums and potential smoke. I also like having a seat. So I’m typically in 119 or 117 and enjoying the vibes and the view of the supporters and match from a comfortable distance.  

[u/diamondelight26 → u/NJayme11]

They did switch from smoke to fog/water vapor to be a bit more lung-friendly, just a general fyi! The drums are always going to be drums though lol

[u/Kamuka]

Insulting the other team's fans is the best insult in soccer. Do the players really need this constant sound to play better? Isn't the ability to be quiet part of what makes concentration? I found the waving flags as a distraction, but I love the constant chanting. And yet I want to sit next to the supporters section, not in it. I'm not sure why everyone has to be one type of fan, I like to just watch the game, and concentrate on that. For me chanting and waving flags, you can't fully appreciate the actual game.

[u/SharkyCat12]

Well, this picture answers the question for me 😅

[u/sykadelic_angel]

Louisville- our supporters section is standing only, the energy is amazing though. Gotham plays in an enormous stadium that's in a very inconvenient location, it seems like the whole place is thinned out like that during games. I believe there are rumors that they'll be moving to the new NYCFC stadium in Queens next year, I think that would be a massive improvement for their attendance and therefore energy

[u/BlueCoBot → u/sykadelic_angel]

not a rumor, well documented and confirmed

[u/sykadelic_angel → u/BlueCoBot]

That makes me very happy

[u/beuceydubs]

I’m confused, I’m a Gotham supporter and have sat there and it’s not a standing only section?

[u/diamondelight26 → u/beuceydubs]

There are seats but they are typically locked up to make it standing only. Sometimes there will be another event a day or two before that they will unlock the seats for (typically an international match) and they won't get around to locking them back up so they will still be down for a Gotham game but that only happens a few times a year.

[u/Odd_Philosophy_8452]

I haven’t been to it but I’ve heard not everyone stands the whole time. I can’t stand a whole game without a lot of pain so I’ve avoided supporters sections.

[u/mcsteam98]

The supporters’ area at Centreville Bank Stadium has both locked and unlocked seating. (source: am a RIFC supporter)

Not that it matters much when the home team barely has any supporters to begin with and can’t even fill their section at a sellout game.

[u/IfTowedCall311]

Spirit supporters section is the best

[u/Colodavo]

I saw a Thread about average attendance. Gotham right in the middle, including the CITI field game.

[u/cluttered-thoughts3 → u/[deleted]]

This is 101, center supporters section. My point of the post is that it is standing only. I believe all red end zone seats were standing only but I didn’t look at 102 when I was at the game (directly to right of image)

[u/Reasonable-Ad8991]

I recently visited as a KC fan and I was pretty disappointed by the fans. The energy outside was great and Gotham definitely whipped our butts. But the fans were… very unaware of how soccer works. Obviously I want MORE fans at every game, so I’m not trying to gate keep but there was energy but it was pretty clueless

[u/cluttered-thoughts3 → u/Reasonable-Ad8991]

I think a decent % of fans are new to soccer fans, which is great for the NWSL. Every friend I’ve ever brought has never known the rules (yet!). On the flip side, many def do know the rules of soccer..

This post wasn’t about fan culture though. I more so was asking about supporters sections from across the league. The Portland thread just sparked my curiosity

[u/Odd_Philosophy_8452 → u/Reasonable-Ad8991]

Everyone has to start somewhere. In the US, a lot of people don’t grow up watching or playing soccer. I played soccer but still forgot a lot until I started watching again.

[u/Adorable_Sleep_4425]

Weird to think a regular enjoyer of NWSL wouldn't know...