According to Joseph Goodman for AL.com, attendance for the inaugural USFL game between the New Jersey Generals and Birmingham Stallions was 17,500. This contest was the first USFL game at Protective Stadium.

“Announced attendance was 17,500 for the first USFL game, Birmingham Stallions 28, New Jersey Generals 24. Not bad for a rainy day that cleared up just before KO. USFL says over 40k tickets were sold or distributed.”

Considering the holiday weekend and weather, at least on TV, the crowd looked good. However, they did seem a bit quiet on the broadcast. Tickets for USFL games are $10 for adults and free for kids under 15.

It will be interesting to see what the crowd looks like today with three games on the schedule and Easter Sunday. Also, the hometown Stallions will not be paying.

Clearly, success for the league boils down to TV ratings rather than gate revenue. With the game simulcast on Fox and NBC for the first time since Super Bowl I, that will be the catalyst moving forward. We won’t know those numbers until Monday or Tuesday.

Today’s USFL Games, Times, and Channel
Houston Gamblers at Michigan Panthers – 12 p.m ET – NBC, Peacock, fuboTV
Philadelphia Stars at New Orleans Breakers – 4 p.m ET – USA, fuboTV
Tampa Bay Bandits at Pittsburgh Maulers- 8 p.m ET – FS1, fuboTV

UPDATE: For perspective, in the AAF the Birmingham Iron against the Memphis Express was 17,039.