Major League Soccer (MLS) and the National Hockey League (NHL) are both gaining popularity in North America, but they attract different audiences, post varying attendance figures, and differ significantly in franchise valuations. This article explores how each league is growing, its fan demographics, stadium attendance, and financial power.
Rising Popularity: MLS vs. NHL
MLS continues to attract younger, diverse audiences, bolstered by international stars and expanding franchises. In 2024, MLS reported an average attendance of 22,000 per game, a 12% increase from the previous year. Atlanta United FC led with an average of 43,000 fans per game, while new teams like St. Louis City SC quickly established strong followings.
In contrast, the NHL remains a fixture in established sports markets. During the 2024-2025 season, NHL games averaged 17,500 fans per game, with top teams like the Vegas Golden Knights and Toronto Maple Leafs often reaching full capacity. Despite a minor drop in regular-season ratings, NHL playoff viewership surged by 15% compared to 2023.
Audience Demographics and Viewership Trends
MLS attracts a younger audience, with a median age of 39, compared to the NHL’s 49. MLS also has a more ethnically diverse fan base — 42% of MLS fans identify as Hispanic or Latino, while NHL fans are predominantly white and older, concentrated in cities like Boston, Detroit, and Toronto.
Ticket prices also vary: the average NHL ticket in 2024 was $94.30, making it one of the priciest leagues for in-person viewing. MLS tickets averaged $45.75, making it more accessible to younger and less affluent audiences.
Attendance Comparison
MLS has made significant strides in attendance, with clubs like Atlanta United FC and Seattle Sounders regularly surpassing 30,000 fans per game. The league’s larger stadiums allow for greater overall attendance, but the NHL maintains higher percentages of sellouts due to smaller, more intimate arenas. Teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights consistently exceed 100% capacity for key matchups.
Media Reach and Broadcast Ratings
MLS’s partnership with Apple TV has increased its global visibility, generating over 1.2 million subscribers in 2024 and driving an 18% increase in regular-season TV ratings. Meanwhile, the NHL's agreements with ESPN and Turner Sports secured strong playoff viewership, with the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals averaging 3.5 million viewers per game, a 10% increase over 2023.
Franchise Valuations: MLS vs. NHL
Franchise valuations highlight the financial clout of each league. In 2024, the average MLS team valuation stood at $690 million, with top teams including:
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Los Angeles FC: $1.25 billion
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Inter Miami CF: $1.2 billion
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LA Galaxy: $1 billion
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Atlanta United FC: $975 million
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New York City FC: $875 million
Inter Miami CF saw a 17% valuation surge after signing Lionel Messi, underlining the impact of marquee players.
Meanwhile, NHL franchises command significantly higher values, with the average team worth $1.91 billion in 2024. The top five teams by valuation are:
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Toronto Maple Leafs: $3.8 billion
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New York Rangers: $3.5 billion
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Montreal Canadiens: $3.1 billion
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Los Angeles Kings: $2.85 billion
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Boston Bruins: $2.75 billion
Global League Valuation Rankings
Expanding the comparison to include prominent global and regional franchise leagues, the 2024 average franchise valuations are as follows:
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NFL - $4.5 billion
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NBA - $3.1 billion
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English Premier League (EPL) - $2.95 billion
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MLB - $2.3 billion
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Formula 1 (F1) - $2.1 billion
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NHL - $1.91 billion
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Indian Premier League (IPL) - $1.75 billion
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La Liga (Spain) - $1.5 billion
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Bundesliga (Germany) - $1.4 billion
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MLS - $690 million
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Canadian Football League (CFL) - $50 million
Based on average franchise valuations in 2024, the leagues rank as follows:
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NFL - $4.5 billion
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NBA - $3.1 billion
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MLB - $2.3 billion
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NHL - $1.91 billion
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MLS - $690 million
How MLS and NHL Compare to MLB, NFL, and NBA
While MLS and NHL are making strides in popularity and franchise valuations, they still lag behind the financial giants of the NFL, NBA, and MLB. In 2024, the average NFL team was valued at $4.5 billion, with top franchises like the Dallas Cowboys worth over $9 billion. The NBA’s average team value stood at $3.1 billion, driven by the global reach of players like LeBron James and Stephen Curry. MLB, despite declining attendance, maintains strong financial stability with average team valuations at $2.3 billion, buoyed by lucrative media deals and historic market presence. MLS, with an average valuation of $690 million, and the NHL at $1.91 billion, still have considerable ground to cover to reach these elite leagues.
Conclusion
MLS is capitalizing on younger, diverse audiences and international stars, leading to steady growth in attendance and franchise values. Meanwhile, the NHL continues to dominate traditional sports markets with higher ticket prices, sellout rates, and franchise valuations. As both leagues pursue new growth strategies, the competition for fan loyalty and media attention will only intensify.
