Home » Too Many Empty Seats: What’s Going Wrong with the Club World Cup?
FIFA’s updated Club World Cup was supposed to be a big draw, with global teams and star-studded lineups. But if you’ve been watching the games, you’ve probably noticed the same thing: a lot of empty seats. From Atlanta to Seattle, stadiums are showing off way too much concrete, raising real concerns about whether this tournament is actually catching on.
Let’s look at the turnout so far. Some matches pulled strong crowds:
Not bad at all. It proves that big teams with well-known players still bring people in—especially when ticket prices are fair and fans are willing to travel.
But then there were some real letdowns:
A few things are working against this tournament:
For some early games, tickets started at over $50—even in cities where the local interest in the teams was low. That’s a tough sell for what many see as glorified friendlies.
FIFA spent more than $50 million on marketing, mostly online and through influencers. But in the host cities, the tournament didn’t feel like a big deal. Hardly any posters or billboards. Most of the noise came from international fans, not locals.
Games scheduled on Monday nights or during weekday rush hour didn’t help. Kickoff times often favored fans overseas—an 8 p.m. BST start might work for folks in London, but it’s not great for people in Atlanta dealing with traffic after work.
Hot summer nights, limited public transportation, and tough traffic made getting to the stadium a hassle. That’s a real problem in cities like Atlanta and Philly.
Fixture |
Location |
Attendance |
% Capacity |
Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami |
Miami |
60,927 |
93% |
Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City |
Cincinnati |
21,152 |
81% |
PSG vs. Atlético Madrid |
Pasadena |
80,619 |
90% |
Palmeiras vs. Porto |
East Rutherford |
46,275 |
56% |
Botafogo vs. Seattle Sounders |
Seattle |
30,151 |
44% |
Chelsea vs. LAFC |
Atlanta |
22,137 |
32% |
Boca Juniors vs. Benfica |
Miami |
55,574 |
85% |
Flamengo vs. ES Tunis |
Philadelphia |
25,797 |
38% |
Some games filled most of the stadium, while others were less than half full. That kind of inconsistency is what’s bothering FIFA.
Even with low turnout, a few fanbases brought serious energy. Palmeiras fans in New Jersey made it feel like a packed house. Flamengo supporters in Philly did the same. The sound was there, but those wide TV shots showing rows of empty seats killed the vibe.
This tournament is kind of a dress rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Five of the stadiums being used now will also host World Cup games. That means these attendance issues are more than just a PR problem, they’re a warning sign.
Here’s what FIFA needs to think about:
The concept has potential. Seeing top clubs from every continent face off is exciting. But if FIFA wants this to work in the U.S., they need more than just big names—they need local fans to care.
The matches themselves have been good, and the broadcast quality is top-notch. But if the stands are empty, it starts to feel like the tournament is more for TV than for actual supporters.
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