Attendance at Club World Cup varies drastically from empty seats to intense atmospheres
The highly-anticipated Club World Cup, a month-long soccer extravaganza, kicked off a week ago in the United States. The tournament promised to rejuvenate the world’s most popular sport, attracting vibrant and passionate fans from all over. However, the reality has been a mixed bag, with venues experiencing wildly fluctuating levels of attendance.
In Orlando, Florida, at the Inter&Co Stadium, the scene was bleak with rows upon rows of empty seats during the game between Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan. Despite the venue’s 25,500 capacity, only a fraction of fans turned up, with less than 1,000 spectators in attendance. Such a disappointing turnout left a sour taste, almost reminiscent of playing during the lockdown era as one observer noted on social media.
Contrastingly, in Pasadena, California, over 80,000 fans filled the massive Rose Bowl to witness the clash between Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid. This stark disparity in attendance numbers set the tone for a week filled with highs and lows across various US cities.
The opening week of the Club World Cup showcased the discrepancies in crowd numbers, with certain games drawing immense crowds while others struggled to attract spectators. The sight of empty seats in stadiums felt particularly discordant in Orlando, where the Mamelodi Sundowns-Ulsan fixture epitomized the tournament’s lowest point. FIFA, under the leadership of President Gianni Infantino, is striving to position the Club World Cup as one of the most esteemed and successful sporting events globally. However, sparse stands, notably at venues like Inter&Co Stadium, symbolized the uphill battle to increase the competition’s appeal among fans.
Moreover, teams like Chelsea and Los Angeles FC failed to draw sizable crowds in Atlanta, causing a significant portion of the stadium to remain unoccupied. Despite the presence of star players like Lionel Messi at the Inter Miami-Porto game, the turnout in Atlanta was far from capacity. The atmosphere felt subdued and lacking the usual fervor associated with high-profile soccer matches, reflecting the challenges faced in filling stadiums with eager spectators.
Ticket sales have been a point of contention leading up to the tournament, with prices fluctuating and discounts being offered to entice fans. The opening game at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens witnessed a substantial turnout, with nearly 61,000 fans in attendance. While FIFA reported positive ticket sales and overall attendance figures, concerns lingered about the tournament’s widespread appeal and sustainability in the fiercely competitive sports landscape.
Despite the varied attendance levels across different venues, the Club World Cup has garnered attention and praise from enthusiasts. Players like Harry Kane from Bayern Munich experienced the intensity of the crowds, with environments described as ‘hostile’ and charged with fervor. As the tournament progresses, the focus remains on striking a balance between engaging fans, raising the tournament’s prestige, and ensuring that future editions continue to captivate audiences worldwide.