FIFA Club World Cup 2025: The Attendance Dilemma
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has brought together 32 of the world’s best football clubs for the first time ever, hosted in the United States. With major teams like Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, and Flamengo in the mix, excitement was expected to be at an all-time high.
However, while the quality of play has been top-tier, fan turnout has been shockingly inconsistent. Some matches boast electric, almost hostile atmospheres, while others are played in front of half-empty stadiums.
Why Are Some Stadiums Empty?
Despite the tournament’s scale and star power, attendance for certain matches has been underwhelming. Here are the main reasons:
1. Mismatch Between Venue and Club Popularity
Some matches were hosted in U.S. cities where the participating teams have little to no local following. For example, a match between Urawa Red Diamonds and Auckland City held in Kansas City saw low engagement compared to a Real Madrid game in Miami.
2. Expensive Tickets and Poor Timing
Ticket prices have ranged from $70 to over $250, which is steep for fans not emotionally invested in the clubs. Combined with inconvenient kick-off times and extreme summer heat in certain venues, many fans have opted to stay home.
Packed Games Deliver Intensity
While some matches suffer from poor turnout, others have delivered sell-out crowds and intense energy. Games featuring Latin American or European giants have drawn tens of thousands of fans.
One notable clash between Bayern Munich and Boca Juniors in Miami saw the crowd erupt in loud chants and even minor scuffles between fans. In some cases, the atmosphere has been described as “Champions League-level hostility,” with passionate fans bringing drums, banners, and fireworks.
The Cultural Divide in U.S. Football Fandom
The mixed attendance is exposing the cultural gap in football engagement across the U.S. While cities like Los Angeles, New York, and Miami have thriving multicultural football communities, others are still largely unfamiliar with the global club scene.
Additionally, mainstream media coverage in the U.S. has been underwhelming. In some cities, residents didn’t even know matches were happening nearby. FIFA’s marketing approach, critics argue, has leaned too heavily on big names and not enough on grassroots engagement.
For background on how soccer is growing in the U.S., see this Pew Research study on changing sports preferences
What This Means for FIFA's Expansion Plans
FIFA has ambitious goals with the Club World Cup, especially as a lead-up to the 2026 World Cup, which will also be hosted in North America. However, the attendance challenges suggest that FIFA must:
- Choose venues more strategically based on demographics.
- Lower ticket prices or offer localized discounts.
- Improve promotion and local awareness campaigns.
- Educate newer audiences about non-European clubs.
If these adjustments aren’t made, FIFA risks seeing the tournament underperform in what was supposed to be a milestone for global club football.
Final Thoughts
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 has delivered quality football and unforgettable moments, but it’s also revealed glaring issues in fan engagement. From half-empty arenas to hostile full houses, the event is a tale of two tournaments.
Fixing these issues is not just about this tournament—it’s about ensuring football’s global growth in untapped markets like the U.S.. If FIFA learns from this experience, the Club World Cup can still become a global success story.
Want more updates on global football trends?
Subscribe to our newsletter or follow our blog for in-depth coverage of major FIFA events, player transfers, and fan culture around the world.
related links you can read found on our blog:
- FIFA Club World Cup 2025
- Format of FIFA Club World Cup 2025
- Fixtures Of This Tournaments
0 Comments