How Does Lazio’s Niche Following Fair in the Land of MLS Giants? | OneFootball

American football has exploded onto the scene in recent decades, with Major League Soccer and Liga MX dominating local popularity.

European clubs, however, enjoy dedicated fan bases despite the popularity of the domestic league. While MLS clubs like LA Galaxy and Inter Miami boast enormous followings, European giants and underdogs like Lazio enjoy passionate, niche fan bases, especially among Italian-Americans drawn to the club’s Roman identity.

This piece examines the popularity of European soccer clubs in the United States, Lazio’s standing within that context, and the cultural connections driving their stateside following.

Soccer in the U.S.

The popularity of soccer in the United States has grown exponentially, with MLS averaging 22,000 supporters per match in 2024, with the likes of Atlanta United bringing in more than 65,000 for important games.

Liga MX, Mexico’s top division, attracts even more television viewership, with 60 million U.S. fans following the Mexican National Team.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted in North America, will only continue to boost the sport’s profile. During this growth, European leagues like Spain’s La Liga and the English Premier League dominate worldwide fandom, with 67% of U.S. soccer fans backing European clubs, according to a 2023 Nielsen report.

This kind of boom in soccer popularity provides fans with the chance to view both MLS and European matches, as well as an opportunity to bet on them using the promotion BetMGM bonus code offers, providing additional bets and deposit matchups for wagers on their favoured teams.

The Italian Serie A, where Lazio competes, lags but still attracts dedicated viewers with broadcasts on Paramount+ and ESPN+.

European Clubs Beloved in the U.S.

A few European clubs have huge U.S. followings, surpassing many MLS clubs in worldwide popularity.

FC Barcelona and Real Madrid are at the forefront, with 12% and 10% of U.S. soccer fans backing them, respectively, in YouGov’s 2024 rankings, thanks to their celebrity status and Champions League success.

English Premier League giants Manchester United and Liverpool follow, with around 8% of U.S. fans each, powered by decades of success and aggressive marketing.

Juventus, Serie A’s 36-time champion and most successful club, draws 5% of U.S. fans, due in part to their 2017-2019 Cristiano Ronaldo era.

Arsenal, a Premier League squad, has developed a U.S. fan base of 4% with recent championship contention.

Lazio holds a minor niche, with an estimated 1-2% of U.S. fans, largely within Italian-American strongholds.

Lazio’s Roman Identity & U.S. Appeal

Lazio’s U.S. popularity is based on its cultural, historical identity as Rome’s “people’s club.”

Founded in 1900, Lazio embodies the Passion and grit of the Eternal City, compared to rival AS Roma’s more globalized image. That resonates with Italian-American strongholds, particularly New York, New Jersey, and Boston, which are home to 17 million Americans of Italian heritage.

These fans relate to Lazio’s underdog status and blue-and-white colours, symbols of Roman pride. Italian festivals and other cultural events routinely have Lazio apparel available for purchase alongside Juventus and AC Milan jerseys, which attests to Serie A’s popularity.

Lazio’s two Italian league titles (1974, 2000) and iconic players like Alessandro Nesta and Ciro Immobile are part of their draw. Recent performances, including the 1-1 draw against Juventus and 2-2 draw with Inter in May 2025, keep supporters enthralled, with 4th-place Serie A standing fueling UEFA Champions League qualification hopes.

Unlike MLS clubs, which appeal broadly, Lazio’s fanbase thrives on heritage, with supporters passing down allegiance through generations. This mirrors the loyalty seen in Italy, where Lazio commands 2% of national fans, per a 2008 La Repubblica survey.

Challenges &Opportunities for Lazio

Unlike in Europe, Lazio faces stiff competition in the U.S. from MLS giants and European powerhouses.

MLS teams like Inter Miami, with Lionel Messi, averaged 30,000 fans per game in 2024, while Lazio’s Serie A matches draw 24,700 on average. Manchester United and other European giants with larger budgets invest heavily in U.S. tours and marketing, while Lazio has limited stateside presence.

There is, however, room for growth. Serie A’s expanded U.S. broadcasts and Lazio’s competitive 2024-25 season, which included a deep UEFA Europa League Quarter-Final run, raise the profile. A potential 2026 U.S. tour could continue to expand their fan base, especially if they qualify for the Champions League.

Lazio’s cult status in the United States is driven by competitiveness and cultural affinity, despite MLS’s dominance. Their Roman roots and passionate style of play attract Italian-American fans, carving a unique niche amidst Barcelona and Juventus, European giants.

As soccer grows in popularity in the United States, Lazio’s hard-core fan base, from New York to Los Angeles, ensures that the Biancocelesti remain a beloved underdog in the land of MLS giants.