The X-Files have the answer to high crowds
The J.League attracted a record number of spectators to its competitions in 2003, almost 6.8 million.
This beats the previous best mark for a single season, 6.44 million, in 1995.
The reason is not a mystery, though.
Because the answer can be found in the X-Files.
Sorry, I mean the AlbireX Files!
Of all 28 J.League clubs, Albirex Niigata recorded the highest average home attendance in 2003, a staggering 30,339, as they won the second division championship.
This figure left behind the likes of Urawa Reds (28,855), Yokohama F Marinos (24,957) and FC Tokyo (24,932), who were the three best supported clubs in the top flight.
The average crowd in J1 was 17,351, the highest since 1994 (19,598) and the third best in the league's 11-year history after 1994 and the opening season's mark of 17,976 in 1993.
This is very encouraging news for the J.League, and a clear sign that the game is taking root around the country.
The J.League's target for J1 next season is an average of 20,000, which means an increase of around 2,600 fans per game in 2004.
With Albirex in the first division, this is a realistic goal, even though J1 has lost Vegalta Sendai, whose average home crowd in 2003 was 21,708.
Kazuki Sasaki, a director and the general secretary of the J.League, said this week that the 2001 Confederations Cup had been a turning point for the people of Niigata.
This had shown them the excitement of football, he said, and from this they went on to support their hometown team.
"They know Niigata is not at a world level, but they like to be part of one big group and show their support for their team," said Sasaki.
"Even when they lose, this makes their unity stronger. They have pride in Niigata, and they have a chance to show this by supporting Albirex."
It is difficult to see much J2 during the season, as the matches usually clash with J1.
But Niigata will be a popular destination for fans and media alike next season, to see the Big Swan turned into a sea of orange.
This season was record-breaking in terms of aggregate attendance for J1, J2, Nabisco Cup, all-star soccer and Xerox Super Cup, but with Albirex fans in J1 next year, I think an average of 20,000 is not out of reach.
ends
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