It’s the 81st minute of the match and the huge Jumbotron screens behind each end of Michigan Stadium, pitched for displaying the score and action replays, change to display a big message in bold white letters:
TODAY’S ATTENDANCE
109,318
What many may not have been aware of is that those present that day were watching a new record for watching a match being set.
So what was this record and why so much interest in such a game? Let’s take a look.
Fanatics for a Friendly
It’s a very warm Saturday afternoon in Ann Arbor, Michigan on the 2nd of August 2014. The majority of the sell-out crowd have taken their seats and are basking in the bright sunlight as two football giants take the field—Manchester United and Real Madrid. The match is part of the International Champions Cup, a now-defunct pre-season tournament format aimed to give friendlies more gravitas with an overall champion crowned at the end of it.
But why were so many there? Well, Real Madrid are probably the most famous and successful club in world football. Just a few months earlier, they had won yet another Champions League trophy and had a team full of stars including Cristiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale, and Iker Casillas. Manchester United push Madrid close in terms of fame, and with the USA’s growing interest in the Premier League and stars like Wayne Rooney, this matchup had great appeal to the American public.
The game played out with the slightly less-favoured United winning the game 3-1.
The Big House and the Record
Nicknamed "The Big House," Michigan Stadium is the American football stadium for the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. It’s usually packed for college games, so having an international football match there was a rarity.
The previous record for a football crowd in the United States was set during the 1984 Olympics gold medal match, when 101,799 saw France defeat Brazil 2-0 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California. The 109,318 in Michigan exceeded that by a comfortable margin.
Future of the Record
With capacities growing and stadiums getting more ambitious, it could only be a matter of time before this record—set in 2014—is broken. Football is becoming more and more popular as global fans gain more access to leagues like the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, and the Champions League.
On July 4, 2023, a new MLS (Major League Soccer) milestone was set when 82,110 fans packed the Rose Bowl to watch LA Galaxy defeat LAFC 2–1—the largest attendance in MLS league history.
Though it didn’t break the international friendly record, it was a significant milestone for domestic league matches in the US.
But where and when the overall attendance record will next be broken remains a mystery.
Real Never Stop Winning
Real Madrid holds the most European Cups and a host of other records, including the now-defunct International Champions Cup, which they won a record three times between 2013 and 2019.
During one of their matches, fans in the stadium created what is considered the largest wave at a football match in the USA. Not many know that what’s known outside North America as the "Mexican Wave" actually originated in the States.
Find out more in our feature: The Mexican Wave That Isn’t Actually Mexican
You can also explore our pages on legendary stadiums like:
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Old Trafford – home of Manchester United
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Santiago Bernabéu – home of Real Madrid
While Michigan’s attendance record is impressive, it’s actually dwarfed by the legendary Maracanazo at Brazil’s Maracanã Stadium, where nearly 200,000 fans packed in to witness the 1950 World Cup final. That result was so shocking, it led Brazil to change its football colors forever.
Check out the full story in our post: How Brazil Got Its Colors.
Also, read more about the iconic Maracanã Stadium.
A Fan's View:
Having experienced stadiums near full capacity—like Wembley at 90,000—I've noticed how atmosphere can really depend on where you're sitting. Lower tiers feel electric, close to the action, while upper tiers can feel distant, almost disconnected. Interestingly, the old Wembley, with its more compact 75,000 design, delivered a more even, immersive experience throughout. In my view, the sweet spot for atmosphere is a stadium around 40,000–50,000—places like Villa Park. Even the Emirates at 60,000 can feel a bit removed if you’re high up. And then there are gems like Loftus Road—small, loud, and right on top of the pitch. But no matter the size, there’s always a queue for the toilets.