Overall FA Cup crowd sizes across all rounds have remained fairly steady since falling during the 1980s. Attendances throughout the leagues have risen in that period.
Of the 57 matches played in the third and fourth round this season, including replays, only one quarter (14) attracted attendances higher than the home team’s average league figure this season.
Admittedly, the third round (before replays) this year produced the highest average attendances since 1979-80, yet this largely reflected the number of well-supported teams playing at home.