In what could’ve been just a regular Tuesday night game for the San Jose Sharks against the Columbus Blue Jackets, fans flocked to SAP Center and nearly sold it out.
The official announced attendance that was recorded on NHL.com was 16,258. No disrespect is intended to the Blue Jackets or their fans, but on a January 6th weeknight, the chances of the “5th Line” traveling to see CBJ were less. Regardless of who the opponent has been that has come through SAP Center this season, Sharks fans have begun to return to the Tank.
16,258 is the announced attendance. Against #CBJ on a Tuesday night. For the #SJSharks, this shows fans are taking notice and returning. Great stuff!
— Max Miller (@Real_Max_Miller) January 7, 2026
Looking at last season’s matchup between the Blue Jackets and the Sharks, there was a drastic improvement in attendance. Granted, the 2024 game happened on Nov. 5, aka election night, so there was a potential conflict. On that November night, the official attendance was just 10,376.
The Athletic already released numbers showing the San Jose Sharks have the highest year-over-year attendance growth in the NHL.
“From the beginning of the year to now, they’ve started flocking in a little bit more,” Sharks forward Ryan Reaves said. “They’ve had energy all year. Whatever the numbers have been, it’s been one of the louder arenas that we’ve played. The fans have been great. I hope they keep coming and enjoying what we’re putting on the ice.”
Comparing Tuesday’s attendance (16,258) to similar games from the 24-25 season provides further proof that the Bay Area is taking notice of Team Teal.
Thursday, Nov. 7, 2024 v. Minnesota Wild – 10,526
Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 v. Tampa Bay Lightning – 11,103
Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025 v. Nashville Predators – 11,292
Tuesday, Feb 4, 2025 v. Montreal Canadiens – 11,215
Sure, winning is helping the Sharks get their fans back in the building, but that can be said for every team in just about any sport. The Sharks have undergone a massive rebuild after being a Stanley Cup Playoff team for nearly every year for 20 years. The diehards have stuck by their team, but a new wave of fans is arriving fast.
Listen to the crowd pop on Zack Ostapchuk’s breakaway goal. The SAP Center is slowly returning to being one of the hardest buildings in the NHL for any road team to play in.
Macklin Celebrini is leading the charge for the Sharks’ return to relevance, but he’s not alone. His superstardom is just beginning, and the league has taken notice, as have Bay Area fans.
The players, coaches, management, and yes, even the media, have noticed the SAP Center filling up more this season. As someone who grew up going to countless games with my family, working on the ice team, and now covering the team, Sharks fans have always been here. They just needed a reason to cheer again.
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