Yes, my understanding is that attendance at NFL games is measured by the tickets handed out (i.e. "paid attendance") and not the number of people physically in the stadium. These two articles show examples of the "paid attendance" vs. actual attendance issue. Rams announce paid attendance of 60,128 but far fewer show up http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.co...id-attendance-of-60128-but-far-fewer-show-up/ If the Rams win a game and no one is there to see it, does it make a sound? The Rams announced a paid attendance of 60,128, but judging by the pictures on social media, far fewer people than that showed up. The Coliseum seats 90,000, and it looked less than half full. That’s with tickets going for as low as $6. But if the Rams keep playing like they did in Sunday’s 46-9 victory over the Colts, their crowds are sure to grow. Notes to fans in L.A.: Good seats are still available. Twitter Roasts Los Angeles Rams’ Awful Attendance In NFL Opener https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entr...nce-in-nfl-opener_us_59b653b5e4b0dfaafcf8e503 Season-opening games for the NFL are often a hot ticket, but not so much in Los Angeles. Sparse attendance at the L.A. Memorial Coliseum for the Rams’ 46-9 victory over the Indianapolis Colts prompted Twitter to blitz hard with mockery on Sunday. The 93,000-plus stadium had a paid attendance of 60,128 (that’s tickets sold), yet it looked less than half-full, Pro Football Talk reported. Wiseacres on social media estimated even fewer than that.