Boca Juniors is facing one of the strongest warning signals in recent years: in just one year, the club has lost over 40,000 members, according to an official AFA report at the end of 2025. This figure reflects a strain in the relationship between Boca and a significant portion of its fanbase, something unthinkable years ago. In a context where Argentine football is undergoing profound transformations, the drop in Boca's membership cannot be read as an isolated data point. However, this sharp decline in membership raises questions about the concept of being the 'most popular club' and forces a rethinking of the bond between the club and its people. Boca built much of its identity on the idea of being the most popular club in Argentina, summarized for decades in the slogan 'the half plus one'. The impact is not just statistical. The loss of members affects income, representativeness, institutional power, and, above all, the sense of belonging that has always distinguished Boca. According to the report, the most affected category was 'adherents,' a segment created to manage the huge demand for membership and expand the social base. The phenomenon appears to be multicausal, ranging from economic factors with increasingly unsustainable dues, to sporting and institutional discontent, and difficulties in accessing tickets and concrete benefits.
