Manchester United Tops The Twelfth Man Index for Loyal Local Support
Manchester United has long claimed the title of the world’s biggest football club. New findings show their connection to Trafford remains as strong as their global presence. The latest Midnite Built Different Index, covering all 92 Premier League and EFL teams for the 2025-26 season, ranks the Red Devils highest in the "Twelfth Man" category. This ranking measures how well clubs fill their stadiums and the average attendance compared to the local population.
Old Trafford: A Fortress of Passion
Despite going 13 years without a Premier League title, Manchester United still enjoys unwavering support. Since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure, the journey has been tough, but recent signs of progress under Michael Carrick, including finishing third last season and qualifying for the Champions League, have brought hope back.
The Twelfth Man Index highlights United’s fanbase strength with a weighted score of 362, placing them above every other club in England. Their home ground, Old Trafford, is nearly always sold out, with ticket demand so high that plans are underway to build a massive 100,000-seat stadium nicknamed the "Wembley of the North." Carrick’s team filled 99.35% of Old Trafford’s capacity last season, and their average attendance equals 31.12% of Trafford’s entire population.
Arsenal Holds Strong in London
At the Emirates Stadium, reigning Premier League champions Arsenal came in second in the Twelfth Man rankings. Their engaged supporters have witnessed the club’s transformation from frequent underachievers to title winners under Mikel Arteta. Considering the fierce competition among London clubs for fans, Arsenal’s lead over rivals is impressive.
Nottingham Forest’s Remarkable Fan Commitment
Nottingham Forest rose an extraordinary 72 places in the Twelfth Man Index despite a turbulent season where they narrowly escaped relegation. Even with four different managers during the campaign, fan loyalty remained strong. The City Ground’s 30,445 capacity saw an average turnout representing 24.79% of Rushcliffe’s population. Forest lost only one of their last ten games under Vitor Pereira, who was later replaced by Oliver Glasner.
West Ham Fans Stand Firm Despite Drop
Although West Ham United faced relegation to the Championship, their supporters stayed loyal. The Hammers climbed 36 spots to fifth place in the Twelfth Man Index, behind only Arsenal and Chelsea among London clubs. Tottenham Hotspur finished sixth, maintaining high attendance at their 62,850-capacity stadium despite disappointing league finishes that led to heavy summer spending to improve.
Clubs Facing Challenges in Attendance
Bournemouth fell 34 places to 41st in the ranking, affected by their small Vitality Stadium, which holds just over 11,000 people, limiting fan turnout in a popular seaside town.
Lower down, League Two side Barnet ended last in the Twelfth Man table. Despite a solid 2025-26 season on the pitch, their Hive Stadium attracted only 1% of Harrow’s population, overshadowed by nearby Arsenal and Tottenham, resulting in poor attendance figures and a weighted score of just eight.
Twelfth Man Index Summary
- Manchester United: 362 weighted score, 99.35% stadium capacity used, 31.12% of Trafford population attending
- Arsenal: Runners-up among London clubs, strong fan engagement following league title
- Nottingham Forest: Climbed 72 places, 24.79% attendance relative to Rushcliffe population
- West Ham United: Fifth overall, loyal fans despite relegation
- Tottenham Hotspur: Sixth, near full stadium attendance amid poor recent results
- Bournemouth: 41st, limited by smallest Premier League ground
- Barnet: Last place, only 1% local population attendance
