Which MLS team has the most fans in 2025?

The US teams that drive the most soccer fans domestically and around the world

In the lead up to the Word Cup in North America, soccer in the US is set to see continued growth.

This includes the MLS which is seeing increased numbers, both domestically and particularly internationally. This is largely down to the investment and prominance of Inter Miami CF who according to our data, account for a c.61% share of the total search interest in MLS teams. The soccer league also enjoys a higher share of international fan engagement than other US sports franchises such as the NFL, MLB, NHL and to a lesser extent the NBA.

Can Miami CF continue to engage fans after stars like Lionel Messi leave?

This is the key question that will determine the future of both the club and domestic US soccer. While the club will no doubt take a hit from eventually losing big stars, the key to ongoing interest is depth in the MLS competition itself. While Miami can endeavour to replace stars with others, the quality of domestic competition will ultimately determine interest in the league – and Miami CF longer term.

What can the MLS learn from the EPL? How about the Bundesliga and La Liga?

The default position for nearly all leagues is to be domianted by one or two sides in terms of success and fan engagement. The league that bucks this trend is the English Premier League – which is also the most successful in terms of fan engagement across the world. While the EPL has one or two sides that are bigger than the rest in terms of global fan base, it contains multiple teams that are competitive domestically and across Europe’s premier competitions and also have large growing engagement across the world.

The Bundesliga remains dominated by Bayern Munich, as does La Liga with Barcelona and Real Madrid – something which is more akin (albeit on a bigger scale) to the MLS up to this point.

So how does the MLS build and coordinate depth in competition?

There are a fe scenarios for the MLS nad it’s teams to ponder.

One is simply embracing the INCREASED competiton Miami CF have brough to the MLS. other clubs may look to follow suit, invest, and look to compete – driving the whole league forward.

Another, perhaps more sustainable route, is to increase the amount of top class US soccer prospects thorugh the countries youth systems. This will not only require investment in coaching and infrastructure, but also a cultural shift in yound athletes choosing soccer over traditional US sports such as american football, basketball and baseball. These dynmics are already shifting with soccer grabbing an increased share of interest and particilation across the US generally.

this is particularly key in America as it will enable the draft or ‘super draft’ system to become a key engine of the league – not only making is sustaible in terms of talent, but offereng something unique to other soccer leagues across the world.

Should the MLS target expansion and combine with Liga MX?

This is somewhat of an leftfield option, but it comes with some major benefits. Firstly, Liga MX is hugely popular inside Mexico and would add a huge amount of interest across the border.

This would also appeal to the large mexican and hispanic fan base living in the US.

Finally, this would potentially improve the competitive depth of the league, making it more attractive both at home and abroad.

Does Miami CF enjoy any longer term advantages over other US soccer teams? Will they inspire future MLS teams?

In short, yes. The geography of US sports franchises plays a key role in terms of international fan engagement and Miami has cut a niche for itslef in this regard with other sports such as F1 basing a hugely successful event there.

New York, Philadelphia and and Los Angeles seem like obvious places where clubs can be developed in the way Miami has and some of them, while small compared to Miami right now, enjoy a healthy following.

If you’d like to get in touch with us to see how we can help with different fan engagement scenarios, please send an email to stefan@hypersetgroup.com