Kozhikode: Indian Super League (ISL) club Kerala Blasters has faced a significant decline in crowd attendance this season, following a series of poor performances and increasing tension with their fan base.
The club has witnessed a historic drop in attendance this season, with a notable decrease of 1.1 lakh spectators compared to the previous season's home games in Kochi.
According to data from Football Transfer Market and ESPN, a total of 1,90,727 spectators attended the Blasters' home matches this season, averaging 15,894 per match. In contrast, last season, 3,02,707 fans attended the games, with an average of 27,519 per match. Despite having one additional home game this season compared to last, the attendance has significantly decreased. In the 2022-23 season, 2,78,253 fans had attended the home matches, averaging 27,825 spectators, with the Blasters leading the league in attendance. However, after the group stages this season, the club has dropped to third place in terms of match attendance.
The lowest attendance was recorded during the final home match against Mumbai City FC, which saw only 3,567 fans in the stadium. This marked the Blasters' lowest home crowd. However, the highest attendance this season was for their third home match, which saw 34,949 spectators in Kochi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
Disappointing results on the pitch
Kerala Blasters had an underwhelming performance on the field, winning only eight out of 24 matches this season. Under coach Mikael Stahre, the team struggled in the early stages, and their poor performance led to a gradual drop in fan support. After the third home match, the stadium failed to fill up, even during peak match timings.
Despite having a competent squad, the team’s own errors led to many defeats. The Blasters lost 11 games this season and drew five. They scored 33 goals but conceded 37, which reflected their defensive and offensive issues.
Fan backlash and "Manjappada" protests
With the team’s performance dropping, Kerala Blasters’ passionate fan base, known as "Manjappada" (Yellow Brigade), turned against the management. Their primary grievance was the club’s failure to strengthen the squad. Fans were also frustrated by the management's perceived indifference to their demands.
Although the fans did not call for a boycott of matches, "Manjappada" organised visible protests against the management’s handling of the team. The lack of support from the fan base was evident, and this led to the significant drop in attendance at the Blasters' home games.
The ongoing unrest within the fan community has contributed to the downward spiral in crowd numbers, reflecting the growing discontent among supporters. The club's management will likely have to address these concerns if they hope to rebuild their relationship with the fans and improve their on-field performance for the upcoming season.
Published: 18 Mar 2025, 12:56 pm IST
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