The success of the Family Excellence Scheme is evident in the remarkable rise of junior season ticket sales which have risen by 41% across the League since the 2007-08 season. Overall season ticket sales are also up by 28% in the same period.

The Family Excellence scheme sees Clubs receive two visit assessments each season, in order to determine the quality of the family matchday experiences they provide. The scheme recognises the continuous improvement and best practice that emerges across the League and rewards Clubs for their efforts in attracting and retaining young supporters.

Of the 66 EFL Clubs which achieved Family Excellence status, 12 were recognised as ‘Gold Award’ winners for the exceptional family experience they provide for supporters on matchdays.

The appetite for live football shows no signs of slowing down with crowds for the 2022/23 season across the EFL increasing by 12% compared to the previous season with attendances at an all-time high this century.

EFL Chief Executive, Trevor Birch, said: “Our Clubs deserve an enormous amount of praise for the outstanding work they have done in making sure the matchday experience is a welcoming one for all families, which has helped boost attendances across all our competitions.

“From improved engagement with supporters before and after games, to innovative approaches around the matchday itself, such as creating dedicated fanzones and improving catering options, Clubs are pulling out all the stops to enhance their offering and attract the next generation of young fans.

“I would like to congratulate all those Clubs who have achieved Family Excellence status and thank them for their efforts.”

The Gold Award winners for 2022/23 season are: Blackburn Rovers, Doncaster Rovers, Exeter City, Huddersfield Town, Hull City, Ipswich Town, Lincoln City, Middlesbrough, Plymouth Argyle, Queens Park Rangers, Rotherham United, Stoke City.

A full list of all other EFL Clubs to receive Family Excellence status can be found below:

AFC Wimbledon
Barnsley
Barrow
Birmingham City
Blackpool
Bolton Wanderers
Bradford City
Bristol City
Bristol Rovers
Burnley
Burton Albion
Cambridge United
Cardiff City
Carlisle United
Charlton Athletic
Cheltenham Town
Colchester United
Coventry City
Crawley Town
Crewe Alexandra
Derby County
Forest Green Rovers
Grimsby Town
Harrogate Town
Leyton Orient
Luton Town
Mansfield Town
Millwall
Milton Keynes Dons
Morecambe
Newport County
Northampton Town
Norwich City
Peterborough United
Port Vale
Portsmouth
Preston North End
Reading
Rochdale
Sheffield United
Sheffield Wednesday
Shrewsbury Town
Stevenage
Stockport County
Sunderland
Sutton United
Swansea City
Swindon Town
Tranmere Rovers
Walsall
Watford
West Bromwich Albion
Wigan Athletic
Wycombe Wanderers

Record-breaking number of EFL Clubs achieve Family Excellence Status as junior ticket sales continue to rise

Record-breaking number of EFL Clubs achieve Family Excellence Status as junior ticket sales continue to rise