Nearly 1.5 Million Tickets Sold for Club World Cup as Fans Embrace New Format
FIFA has announced that nearly 1.5 million tickets have been sold for the ongoing Club World Cup, which kicked off last weekend in the United States with an expanded format. Fans from over 130 countries are participating in this global football celebration, showcasing the tournament’s growing appeal.
The opening match at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium attracted a crowd of over 60,000, eager to see Inter Miami star Lionel Messi in action. The excitement continued at the Rose Bowl, where around 80,000 spectators watched Paris Saint-Germain dominate Atletico Madrid with a 4-0 victory.
However, not all matches have seen the same level of enthusiasm. A midday clash between Borussia Dortmund and Fluminense at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey ended in a lackluster 0-0 draw, drawing a half-empty stadium. Similarly, Chelsea’s match against Los Angeles FC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta also saw a disappointing turnout, with just over 22,000 fans present in a venue with a capacity of 71,000.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed optimism about the tournament, stating, “This is exactly what the FIFA Club World Cup was created for: a world-class stage where new stories are told, new heroes emerge, and club football fans feel part of something bigger.”
This year’s event serves as a precursor to the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico. FIFA aims to generate excitement among American fans, who have historically been less engaged with soccer.
Concerns lingered following a disappointing Copa America in 2024, which featured underwhelming attendance and security issues at the final in Miami. Despite these challenges, the Club World Cup has so far demonstrated significant ticket sales and the potential to captivate a diverse audience.
