The Denver Nuggets have been a staple of the NBA for decades, experiencing both the highs of playoff glory and the lows of rebuilding years. Yet, through it all, their loyal fan base has stayed strong, showing up to support the team.
Whatโs interesting is that some seasons saw the fan turnout skyrocket, with record-setting attendance numbers that prove how much the team means to its city.
In this post, Iโll break down four of the most significant seasons where Nuggets fans packed the arena and created unforgettable atmospheres.
1. 2022-2023 (The Championship Season)
Letโs kick things off with the most recent season that made waves, not just in Denver but across the entire NBA. The 2022-2023 season was nothing short of magical for the Nuggets and their fans.
For the first time in franchise history, the Nuggets lifted the NBA championship trophy. And as youโd expect, fans were there every step of the way.
Why Was Attendance So High?
Historic Performance
The Nuggets had been knocking on the door of greatness for a while, but in 2023, they finally broke through. Fans knew something special was happening, which kept them flocking to Ball Arena game after game.
Part of the reason attendance surged during the 2022-2023 season was due to increased fan engagement and excitement surrounding the team’s historic championship run.
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Star Power
Nikola Jokiฤ, fresh off his MVP seasons, was playing at an even higher level. His unique, almost playful style of basketball had the crowd buzzing. When you have the best player in the world on your team, people take notice.
As we can see through StatMuse statistics, Joker ended the regular season averaging 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and an incredible 9.8 assists. Whatโs even better is that this was just an intro to what he had prepared for the Playoffs.
Playoff Excitement
As the team advanced through the playoffs, excitement reached a fever pitch. The Finals were particularly electric, with sold-out games as fans showed up in droves to see history being made.
According to Statista, 19,235 fans showed up to each home game on average during the Nuggetsโ championship run season.
2. 2012-2013 (The Franchise-Best Regular Season)
57 win season made the 2012-13 season one to remember #TheGoldenAge
๐ธ | https://t.co/BeCKtSqAXr pic.twitter.com/oFsiI2oKlh
โ Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) August 8, 2017
Jumping back a decade, we land in the 2012-2013 season. While this season didnโt end with a championship, it was still one of the best in franchise history.
As you can see in the stats provided by Land of Basketball, the Nuggets set a franchise record by finishing the regular season with 57 wins, and the fan support reflected that incredible success.
Key Factors for High Attendance This Year
- Winning streaks: The Nuggets were nearly unbeatable at home, winning 38 out of 41 home games. That kind of dominance always draws in crowds. Fans love watching their team win, and the Nuggets delivered night after night.
- High-energy players: Ty Lawson, Danilo Gallinari, and Andre Iguodala were fan favorites during this time. Their fast-paced, exciting style of play made the games entertaining, which helped boost ticket sales.
Statistics show that the attendance this year was 17,820 on average, making it one of the most highly attended seasons in Nuggets history.
3. 2008-2009 (The Carmelo and Chauncey Era)
Carmelo Anthony was a superstar, no doubt about it. And when he was paired with hometown hero Chauncey Billups, Nuggets fans had every reason to show up in force.
The 2008-2009 season saw the Nuggets reach the Western Conference Finals, and the support from the fanbase was overwhelming. NBA journalists also loved to call this era the โGolden Age.โ
What Drove the Attendance?
Deep Playoff Run
The further a team goes in the playoffs, the more intense the fan engagement becomes. During this season, the Nuggets got closer to an NBA Finals appearance than they had in years, and fans were eager to be a part of that ride.
In the Western Conference Finals, the Nuggets were defeated by the eventual NBA Champions Los Angeles Lakers. As we can see from the stats, the matchup was pretty intense, but purple and gold prevailed.
Star Power and Leadership
Carmeloโs scoring ability combined with Chaunceyโs leadership made the Nuggets a legitimate threat in the West. Fans gravitated towards the charisma and talent of these two stars.
The energy was palpable, and attendance numbers followed suit, regularly nearing full capacity. The playoff atmosphere was especially electric, with sold-out games as the team battled for a spot in the Finals.
Statistics show that throughout the 2008 / 2009 season, 17,364 fans visited on average.
4. 1994-1995 (Riding the Playoff Shockwave)
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The 1994-1995 season stands out for an entirely different reason than some of the others on this list.
It wasnโt so much about regular-season dominance or star power, but rather the momentum created by the previous seasonโs stunning playoff success.
In 1993-1994, the Nuggets made history by becoming the first eighth seed to knock off a first seed in the NBA playoffs when they beat the Seattle SuperSonics. That Cinderella story had fans hyped up, and the excitement carried into the following year.
The Buzz Factor
- Post-victory excitement: The fanbase was still buzzing from the previous seasonโs playoff run, leading to stronger-than-usual attendance in 1994-1995. Even though the team wasnโt as successful in the postseason this time around, the loyalty of the fans was clear.
- Hope for more: After their shocking success, fans believed the Nuggets could take another big step forward. The anticipation helped keep attendance numbers high throughout the season.
With fans still riding the emotional high of the previous year, the 1994-1995 season saw strong turnout numbers, reinforcing how deeply the fan base had connected with the team.
According to stats, throughout the season, 17,171 fans, on average, attended the Nuggets games.
What Drives Denver Nuggets Attendance?
While each of these seasons had its own unique flavor, there are a few key themes that pop up when talking about what drives fan turnout for the Nuggets:
1. Team Performance
Itโs no surprise that when the Nuggets are winning, fans show up.
Regular-season dominance and deep playoff runs have consistently been linked to high attendance numbers. Winning breeds excitement, and fans want to be part of that.
2. Star Power
Having marquee players like Nikola Jokiฤ, Carmelo Anthony, or Alex English has historically drawn fans in.
People want to see greatness in person, and the Nuggets have been lucky to have some of the leagueโs biggest stars play for them.
3. Postseason Runs
Playoff games are always a bigger draw, especially when the team is playing for a spot in the Finals.
Sold-out arenas are almost guaranteed when the Nuggets are in the playoffs, and attendance tends to spike during those seasons.
4. Fan Connection and Momentum
Thereโs a special kind of energy that comes when fans feel connected to the team. Momentum from big wins, especially in the playoffs, can carry over into following seasons, as seen in the 1994-1995 season.
Fans want to believe their team is on the cusp of something great, and that hope drives attendance.
Final Thoughts
Looking back at these five seasons, itโs clear that Nuggets fans have always been passionate about their team.
Sure, winning helps, but itโs more than that. Thereโs a deep connection between the franchise and its supporters, and that relationship shines brightest during the biggest moments.
As Colorado’s population continues to grow, more fans are filling Ball Arena, further strengthening the team’s bond with its community.
Whether itโs a magical championship run or the allure of watching a superstar in their prime, Denver Nuggets fans have proven time and time again that theyโre among the best in the league.
And as the team continues to rise, thereโs no doubt that future seasons will add new chapters to the Nuggetsโ attendance legacy.
References:
- StatMuse – Jokic Season Average 2023
- Statista – NBA Home Attendance of the Denver Nuggets
- Land of Basketball – Records Denver Nuggets
- Statista – Nuggets Attendance 2012/13
- NBA.com – TheGoldenAge 2008-09 Nuggets
- Basketball Reference – 2009 NBA Western Conference Finals Nuggets vs. Lakers
- APBR Attendance Stats – Nuggets Attendance Stats 2008-2009
- NBA.com – Nuggets Legendary Moment 1994 Sonics
- Statista – Nuggets Average Attendance 1994/1995
- Slam Online – Alex English Legendary Career
