The Copa America Centenario is averaging "more than 40,000 fans per game, a figure certain to increase in the knockout rounds," according to Ronald Blum of AP. The first 20 matches through Sunday averaged 40,429. USSF President Sunil Gulati said, "It's not a World Cup, so we were not expecting to sell out every game. Our baseline projection going into the tournament had been 30,000 per game." Blum noted Mexico has "drawn two of the four biggest crowds," with 83,263 to Pasadena's Rose Bowl for its 2-0 victory over Jamaica and 67,319 for last night's draw with Venezuela at Houston's NRG Stadium. Mexico's game with Uruguay also drew 60,025 to Univ. of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale last week. Two of the four smallest crowds "were in Orlando, Florida, for Costa Rica-Paraguay (17,113) and Panama-Bolivia (13,466)." Last year's Copa America in Chile "averaged 25,223." The '11 tournament in Argentina "averaged just under 34,000" and the '07 edition in Venezuela averaged "about 40,000." The tournament's cheapest seat is $50. Lower-level seats "were listed at $60-$230 for last Saturday's game" between the U.S. and Paraguay in Philadelphia, and "listed prices run from $177.50-$2,013 for the June 26 final" at MetLife Stadium (AP, 6/13).
