Manchester United Tops Local Loyalty Index in Premier League
Manchester United has long claimed the title of the world's biggest football club, and new data confirms their local support in Trafford remains incredibly strong alongside their global commercial presence. The latest Midnite Built Different Index, covering all 92 clubs in the Premier League and English Football League for 2025-26, ranks the Red Devils highest in the "Twelfth Man" category. This metric measures how well clubs fill their stadiums, comparing average attendance to the population of their local authority.
The Enduring Spirit at Old Trafford
Despite not winning the league for 13 years, Manchester United maintains a passionate fan base that stays loyal through highs and lows. Since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, the club has faced challenges but recent improvement under Michael Carrick has sparked hope after finishing third last season and securing a spot in the Champions League.
The Twelfth Man Index shows United achieving a weighted score of 362, outpacing all other English clubs. Their home ground, Old Trafford, is almost always full, reaching 99.35% capacity utilization. On average, 31.12% of Trafford’s entire population attends their matches. These figures justify plans for a new stadium with a 100,000 capacity, nicknamed the "Wembley of the North." It seems filling such a venue won’t be a problem.
London’s Arsenal Takes Second Spot
At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal secured second place in the loyalty rankings, closely following Manchester United. Their fans’ dedication grew alongside the team’s transformation from perennial underachievers to champions under Mikel Arteta last season. Competing against many London clubs, this ranking highlights the Gunners' strong local connection amid intense city competition.
Nottingham Forest’s Remarkable Climb
Nottingham Forest made a notable jump of 72 places in the Twelfth Man table despite a difficult 2025-26 season where they narrowly avoided relegation. Four different managers came and went, but fans stayed committed. Their City Ground, which holds 30,445, saw an average attendance equal to 24.79% of the Rushcliffe district population. Under Vitor Pereira, Forest finished the season strongly, losing only one of their last ten games before Oliver Glasner took over.
West Ham's Fans Stay Loyal Despite Relegation
West Ham United suffered relegation to the Championship, yet their supporters remained steadfast. In the Twelfth Man Index, the Hammers rose 36 places to fifth overall, trailing only Arsenal and Chelsea among London clubs. Tottenham Hotspur also held firm, filling their 62,850-seat stadium regularly despite poor league finishes, finishing sixth in the ranking. Their fans have certainly shown patience ahead of a major £200 million summer overhaul.
Challenges for Bournemouth and Barnet
Bournemouth dropped 34 places to 41st in the Twelfth Man table. The Vitality Stadium, holding just over 11,000, is the smallest Premier League ground and limits the club’s local attendance potential despite being in a popular seaside town.
Meanwhile, Barnet, competing in League Two, finished near playoff spots on the pitch but ranked last in the loyalty index. Located in north London amidst giants like Arsenal and Tottenham, their Hive Stadium attracts only about 1% of Harrow’s population, contributing to their low attendance and weighted score of just eight.
Summary of Twelfth Man Rankings Highlights
- Manchester United: Weighted score 362, 99.35% stadium utilization, 31.12% local population attendance
- Arsenal: Runners-up with strong local engagement
- Nottingham Forest: Climbed 72 places, 24.79% local population attendance
- West Ham: Fifth place despite relegation, climbed 36 places
- Tottenham Hotspur: Sixth place, near full stadium attendance
- Bournemouth: Dropped 34 places, smallest Premier League stadium
- Barnet: Last place, 1.00% local population attendance, League Two side
