The Blackhawks’ business department entered this season confident that attendance would be strong, and it was proved correct.
The Hawks averaged 18,949 fans per game, which ranked fifth in the NHL — behind only the Canadiens, Panthers, Lightning and Red Wings — despite the team finishing 31st in the standings.
After trending below last season’s average of 18,585 (Winter Classic excluded) for the first month, they ended up easily topping it.
That’s because since Nov. 23 — the start of Thanksgiving week — they averaged 19,440 fans per game, dipping below 18,000 only four times. The United Center was full on a remarkably consistent basis.
This sets a new high-water mark for the Hawks in the five seasons with full capacity since the pandemic, which ended their 535-game sellout streak. Their 18 sellouts this season mark another post-pandemic high.
“It has been a few years of not making the playoffs…[but] our fans are still behind us for all 41 home games, and that’s pretty special,” Connor Bedard said Wednesday. “You see some teams go through similar things, and they don’t have many people in the crowd. We’re extremely lucky.”
Coach Jeff Blashill also noticed the support, raving about how it made a particular difference in their comeback win over the Sharks in their season finale.
“[I’ve learned Chicago] is the best sports city in the world,” Blashill said. “We have, in my opinion, the best fans in the world. It’s amazing. I coached in a great sports city — Detroit is a great sports city — [but] this is unbelievable. I can’t wait to win with this group here because it’s such a great fan base.”
So did Hawks rookie Anton Frondell during his home debut March 31 — after playing his first four NHL games on the road.
“On the road trip, when we played in Madison Square Garden and different arenas, I thought, ‘Oh, [wow], this is pretty good,’” Frondell said that night. “But they said, ‘Wait until you get back home.’ I know what they mean by that now. It’s a pretty good crowd here.”
Jeff Blashill: “I thought our fans were awesome. It was a fun atmosphere to be a part of. Given where we’re at and it’s Game 82, it just speaks so much of our fan base.” https://t.co/G49ZpkauBp
— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) April 16, 2026
The business department was confident in the Hawks’ attendance because of a major draw beyond the on-ice product: centennial season celebrations.
Not only did more than 20,300 fans attend each of the four special nights, but there was a spillover effect on the season as a whole.
Advertisements for the centennial were ubiquitous around the city, from bus stops to billboards to O’Hare airport gates. Most people influenced by those ads bought tickets for whatever game best fit their schedule, regardless of its specific programming.
There also was excitement surrounding the new black alternate sweaters (those six games averaged 19,869 fans) and a nationwide surge in hockey interest after the Winter Olympics. A lot worked in the Hawks’ favor this season.
Those same advantages won’t exist next season. The Connor Bedard novelty factor has worn off, too. More than at any other point since the pandemic, the Hawks will be dependent on their on-ice product convincing fans to come.
Yes, they have worked hard to reach a younger generation and broader demographics of fans during the rebuild, which theoretically has expanded the pool of people exposed to hockey and interested in buying tickets.
Approximately 40% of ticket-holders this season were new fans, and the membership renewal rate for next season currently sits at 95%, according to the Hawks.
But it’s about time the Hawks start teaching those new fans about the satisfaction of winning — and start rewarding their longtime fans’ support.
The lack of noise during lineup introductions this season, even from full houses, revealed how little emotional connection fans have with Hawks players. And too often, those full houses went home disappointed by those players’ performance.
The responsibility to change that partly falls on the players. It falls more heavily on newly extended general manager Kyle Davidson, who might not have many opportunities to bolster the roster from outside this summer but needs to be aggressive whenever they arise.
His success or failure likely will be seen more vividly in the Hawks’ attendance — and ticket revenue — next season.