USC head football coach Lincoln Riley on Tuesday defended his program’s attendance figures following criticism of a sparse crowd during the Trojans’ season-opening win over San Jose State on Saturday. USC reported an attendance of 51,144 for the game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, marking the smallest home crowd since late in the 2018 season.
Riley dismissed what he described as a “false narrative” surrounding the program’s attendance, attributing the criticism to observers unfamiliar with USC football. “I think that comes from a lot of people who don’t follow our program, most of those who have never stepped foot in The Coliseum,” Riley told reporters during a press conference. He added that attendance has increased every year during his tenure, despite the drop from an average of 71,571 in 2024 to 67,783 in 2025.
USC issued a statement acknowledging factors that impacted Saturday’s attendance, including scorching heat that reached a heat index of about 100 degrees at the Coliseum. “We understand the factors that impacted Saturday's attendance,” the university said. “We have high expectations and a premier home schedule this season, and we know the competitive advantage an electric Coliseum atmosphere can provide our program.”
Attendance Trends and Context
USC’s average home attendance for the 2025 season remains the second-best of Riley’s four seasons as head coach, despite a decline from the previous year. The 2025 schedule featured fewer marquee home matchups compared to 2024, and one game was disrupted by heavy rain. The Trojans finished the 2024 season undefeated at home, including a run of epic atmospheres in the Coliseum.
The season opener against San Jose State was played in extreme heat, with temperatures and humidity prompting concerns from fans. Lee Feaster, father of USC freshman wideout Boobie Feaster, reported that his wife passed out during the game and suffered blisters due to the conditions. USC’s announced attendance figure of 51,144 was the lowest for a home game since a 2018 loss to Arizona State.
Riley’s Defense of Program Momentum
Riley emphasized the program’s upward trajectory, pointing to consistent on-field success and growing fan engagement. “During my years here, attendance has gone up every single year,” he said. “As has our play in the Coliseum, including running the table last year in front of a lot of epic atmospheres.” He expressed confidence that attendance would increase as the season progresses, citing USC’s high expectations and strong home schedule.
The Trojans, ranked No. 14 in the preseason, open their 2026 college football season with the Week 0 matchup against San Jose State. The sparse crowd has sparked broader discussions about fan expectations, program prestige, and the impact of external factors such as weather on attendance.