The NBA announced attendance figures for the year and they were record setting. They NBA averaged 17,314 per game, which beats the old record of 17,252 in 1996.
The new total attendance record of 21,296,497 this season eclipsed the previous record of 20,513,218 established during the 1995-96 season, and last season’s total of 20,272,195 fans attending regular season games. Excluding the added attendance to home games of the expansion Charlotte Bobcats, NBA games still drew more than 432,500 fans this season versus last season.
This season, NBA arenas were filled to 90% capacity, the third highest percent capacity all-time and the highest total since the 1997-98 season.
Highest Average NBA Regular Season Attendance
1. 2004-05 17,314
2. 1995-96 17,252
3. 1997-98 17,135
4. 1996-97 17,077
5. 2003-04 17,050
Highest Total NBA Regular Season Attendance
1. 2004-05 21,296,497
2. 1995-96 20,513,218
3. 1997-98 20,373,079
4. 1996-97 20,304,629
5. 2003-04 20,272,195