LEAGUE OF IRELAND director Mark Scanlon has admitted rises in crowd numbers only underline the facilities shortfall.
The League of Ireland attracted more than a half million fans before the mid-season break.
It is the first time that the domestic game has reached that landmark since the week off to facilitate family holidays for players was introduced 15 years ago.
The figure is made up of the Men’s Premier and First Division and the Women’s Premier Division.
There have been 111 matches in the male top tier, 104 in the second and 50 in the sole female league, attracting a combined total of 506,475.
And Scanlon said: “It has been a brilliant League of Ireland season so far this year and this is being reflected once more in the rising crowds across the country.
“Reaching half a million people already in 2024 is an exciting landmark and shows the rising profile of the League and our clubs.
“We have a thrilling title race in both the SSE Airtricity Men’s and Women’s Premier Divisions as well as the race for promotion in the SSE Airtricity Men’s First Division to look forward to for the rest of the year.
“We’d encourage anyone who hasn’t been to a game yet to get out and experience the thrill across the three divisions.
“Our clubs continue to develop and do fantastic work in communities they are embedded in.
“These statistics also highlight once more the need for investment in our facilities to help us grow to the next level as sell out signs are a regular occurrence and many of the stadiums are unable to cater for demand.”
In the Men’s Premier Division, attendances have risen 6 percent from 349,867 to 371,551 compared to last year’s break. In 2022, the figure was 283,941.
The average attendance has also experienced a six percent rise, climbing from 3,294 to 3,505.
The most well-attended game was Shamrock Rovers’ 3-1 win over Bohemians with 10,094 at Tallaght Stadium to see the Dublin derby.
The attendance record for a domestic women’s game was smashed when 2,861 people were in Eamonn Deacy Park to see Galway United defeat DLR Waves.
And Treaty United have more than doubled their crowds for both their men and women’s team.
Tommy Barrett’s side have seen their average attendance rise from 642 to 1,376 with Dominic Foley’s side attracting 340 compared to 166.
However, the overall average attendance in the First Division has dropped from 1,037 to 961, largely down to Galway and Waterford being promoted with UCD, along with Cork City, being relegated at the end of last season.