The Loudest Fanbases in the Championship This Season Ranked

Ever since the Big Six in the Prem attempted to sell football out for a Super League, there has been a lot of talk about tourism, dying atmospheres and over-commercialisation. If you want proper football, at least as we once knew it, you head to the 46 games Championship. It’s raw and reflects the nation’s vocal cords, not a broadcast TV show.

Decibels and despair: What makes a top tier atmosphere?

40,000 people in silence, clapping like seals, is tinpot behaviour. Real atmosphere is measured in consistency, a reputation that takes years of building up, and it’s what makes teams fear you.

The irony is of course, it’s the Premier League we’re chasing. But as some Hammers have said, they’d take five years in the Championship if it meant moving back to Upton Park, where there was a real atmosphere. According to Championship attendance data, the league has seen record numbers this year.

The Top 5: Who is topping the noise charts?

Number 5: Sheffield Wednesday – Constant Noise

The Owls have had their ups and downs this year, but the Hillsborough faithful have remained as loud as ever. Despite a rough patch earlier in the year, Wednesday maintained an average attendance of over 22,000.

They have one of the most iconic sing-along walk-outs in the division to Hi Ho Silver Lining, but the away support is equally legendary with a 4,000-strong army to out-sing the home end week in week out.

Number 4: Millwall – The Away Day Specialists

The Den, even the name is iconic and has the intimidation factor. It’s the place no one wants to visit, known for its raw atmosphere and hostile reputation. They manage to turn away ends into mini-dens while singing no one likes us. A lot of teams are quickly rattled by how loud the away fans are, it makes them feel not at home, and it’s why Millwall top the league this season under Away games.

Number 3: Coventry City – Limbs in the Home End

While Millwall are the away day masterclass, Coventry top the home league table. It’s ever sice the club took full ownership of the CBS Arena, Coventry City has become even more of a fortress. They officially lead the Championship in average attendance this season, pulling in a 30,290 fans per game. Not many countries can pull that off in their second divisions.

The pre-match of “We’ll Live and Die in These Towns” has become a real staple of the Championship, and the many late winners here so far have seen pure limbs.

The impact of the 12th Man on the odds

Any manager will tell you that the 12th Man is real. It’s why we see players throwing gestures to the crowd to get them going. Football is all about winning your 50/50s and momentum, both are helped when the fans are injecting energy.

Reading the Room: Using Trusted Sports Betting Platforms and Online Markets

Savvy bettors understand momentum better than anyone. They know not to bet on Arsenal at home during the nervy weeks, because it’s rubbing off on the players. Before checking the latest markets on oddsscanner.com, checking the home/away league table is always worth it, as is getting to know which fans travel in big numbers.

Number 2: Ipswich Town – Rebirth of a Fortress

What a season it’s been for the Tractor Boys. Portman Road has been a permanent sell-out, averaging 28,243 fans as they hunted down promotion. The scenes during their promotion were exactly as you’d expect: thousands of lunatics flooding the pitch, and it’s exactly the pay-off they feel they deserve.

Number 1: Portsmouth – Simply Untouchable

At the top of the pile, it has to be Portsmouth, in part because they have struggled this season, it’s easy to be loud during the good times. Fratton Park is always one of the loudest around, it’s been ranked as the #1 matchday atmosphere many times. Depending on the promotion this season, even neutrals look forward to their Southampton fixture.

Does your club make the cut or is it a library?

There are honourable mentions of course, the likes of Elland Road, but this season the Championship has seen some surprising success and newfound life injected into the noise because of it. More than anywhere, perhaps, the Premier League awaits the pay-offs to see if they have to go to the Den.