Lazio Shines in Serie A Amidst Low Home Attendances and Fan Boycott
The outlook for Lazio’s season appeared bleak following a trophyless 2025/2026 campaign that failed to secure European competition. However, the team from the Italian capital has emerged as a standout in this season’s Serie A, despite having the lowest average attendance in the league.
On Tuesday, Lazio achieved a remarkable 6–2 victory against Sassuolo, even with two missed penalties, further highlighting their impressive form in a challenging season. With this win, Lazio climbed to 25 points, positioning themselves ahead of Inter, who currently have 22 points and have yet to complete their ninth-round match.
Under coach Gattuso, who recently faced challenges with the Italian national team, Lazio boasts the second-best attack with 22 goals and holds the tightest defense, having conceded only seven goals.
Why are home attendances so low?
Lazio’s struggles with fan attendance stem from a strained relationship between a significant portion of the supporters and club president Claudio Lotito, which reached a tipping point in January. Many fans decided not to renew their season tickets for matches at the Olimpico, following unmet expectations for investment in the second half of the previous season.
Lotito, who has been at the helm since 2004, has faced backlash from the passionate fanbase. His attempts to limit the ultras’ control over ticket sales and merchandise have not endeared him to supporters.
Additionally, his suspensions related to Calciopoli—a major match-fixing and corruption scandal—as well as violations during the COVID-19 pandemic and issues around player ownership, have contributed to his unpopularity. His criticisms of racism incidents and smaller clubs have drawn further ire.
Despite this, Lotito has pointed to Lazio’s six trophies won during his tenure and efforts to develop a new stadium and a training center as his defense.
However, the ongoing fan boycott continues to significantly impact the club’s finances, with Lazio averaging just 9,515 attendees this season in a stadium that can accommodate 70,634. In contrast, rival Roma, who share the Olimpico, have been drawing around 67,024 fans.
While Monza has the second-lowest attendance in the league at 10,124, the disparity is notable given the varying stadium sizes. Lazio’s sole disappointment this season has been their early exit from the Coppa Italia, which lightened their fixture load as they focus on Serie A and the upcoming Italian Super Cup against Inter on December 22.
Lazio returns to Serie A action next Sunday, November 1, when they will host Cagliari at the nearly empty Olimpico.
