Participation in college hockey will spike again in 2023-2024 (Photo: Tom Lynn).
NCAA Division I men's hockey attendance increased 8 percent nationally in 2023-24, with 36 of 62 men's programs (58 percent) competing in both 2023-24 and 2022-23. Last season's attendance increased.
Wisconsin saw the biggest increase in attendance, going from an average of 8,000 fans per game in 2022-23 to 10,059 in 2023-24. Wisconsin's average attendance was 10,059, ranking second in the nation behind North Dakota (11,568). Holy Cross had the largest game-to-game increase in terms of percentage, with a 105 percent year-over-year increase.
Maximum attendance increase (fans/match)
1. Wisconsin (+2,059)
2. Boston College (+1,853)
3. Maine (+1,358)
4.UMass (+1,042)
5. Boston University (+957)
Maximum attendance increase (percentage/game)
1. Holy Cross (+105%)
2. Mercyhurst (+73%)
3. Sacred Heart (+40%)
4. Air Force (+37%)
Boston College (+37%)
Maine (+37%)
Additionally, Sportico reports that attendance nationwide will reach 77 percent capacity in 2023-24, the highest attendance in college hockey since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Four different NHL venues also hosted regular-season college hockey games in 2023-2024, and those seven games drew an average of nearly 17,000 fans.
| date | match | venue | attendance | Note |
| October 13th | St. Thomas vs. Minnesota | excel energy center | 11,376 | |
| November 25 | Boston University vs. Cornell University | madison square garden | 15,289 | red hot hockey |
| February 5th | Harvard University vs. Northeastern University | TD Garden | 17,850 | bean pot |
| February 5th | Boston University vs. Boston University | TD Garden | 17,850 | bean pot |
| February 10 | Michigan vs. Michigan State University | Little Caesars Arena | 18,410 | Duel of D |
| February 12th | Boston College vs. Harvard University | TD Garden | 17,850 | bean pot |
| February 12th | Boston University vs. Tohoku | TD Garden | 17,850 | bean pot |
The season ended in style at the 2024 NCAA Frozen Four in St. Paul, where Denver defeated Boston College in front of a crowd of 18,694 at Xcel Energy Center.
