The study, which analyzed AFC Champions League Elite attendance data sourced from Transfermarkt, applied a weighted scoring system combining match frequency and operational capacity. Sultan Ibrahim Stadium led with a score of 90/100, after hosting five matches (42 match points) and posting an 83.3% average operational capacity (49 capacity points).
Al-Awwal Park and Kingdom Arena round out the top three
Al-Awwal Park in Riyadh ranked second with 86 points, also hosting five matches and averaging a 75.7% operational capacity. Close behind was Kingdom Arena, which scored 80 points with a 64.9% capacity across five games.
King Abdullah Sports City placed fourth with 79 points, boasting the highest match count (six fixtures) but a lower 49.6% capacity. Qatar’s Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium followed in fifth with 78 points, built on a consistent 61.8% capacity from five matches.
Top 10 stadiums reveal a shifting landscape
Chang Arena (6th, 77 points), Hazza Bin Zayed Stadium (7th, 76 points), Azadi Sport Complex (8th, 75 points), Uvance Todoroki Stadium by Fujitsu (9th, 68 points), and SAIC Motor Pudong Arena (10th, 63 points) completed the top 10.
“The data reveals that Sultan Ibrahim Stadium, Al-Awwal Park, and Kingdom Arena have established themselves as the true attendance champions of Asia-Pacific football,” said a Smart Betting Guide spokesperson. “The success reflects strong local fan bases, effective marketing, and the quality of football entertainment.”
The report highlights a dynamic shift in the region, with established stadiums holding their ground while emerging venues challenge traditional leaders in the attendance race.