His popularity was not simply rooted in his success, however.

“He did so much in the community of the city, gave so much to charity,” said Nick Orr, 58, who came to the stadium to pay tribute with his family. “He was just such a nice man. I don’t say it lightly, but it feels like losing a member of your family.”

As the bouquets and mementos kept arriving on Sunday, staff members cordoned off more of the area outside the stadium as a shrine, as fans awaited word on Mr. Vichai, who had endeared himself to the crowds by giving away beer, scarves, pies, hot dogs and doughnuts at the stadium around his birthday.

After Leicester City tied the game, 1-1, against West Ham on Saturday, many witnesses said they saw the chopper clear the stadium before it spiraled out of control. An investigation is underway to establish what, precisely, brought the helicopter down.

The city felt as if it were already in mourning, as many feared the worst even before Mr. Vichai’s death was confirmed.

“Everybody waiting up to hear an update about a man we’ve either never met or met a few time, but adore and love,” Hayley Sanderson wrote on Twitter. “That’s the true meaning of football. Hearts breaking all over the city right now.”