Kristina Roberts
The 2025 Club World Cup was supposed to be a grand celebration of football, bringing together the best clubs from around the world. But as the tournament kicked off, one thing became painfully clear—the stadiums were half-empty. Fans expected packed stands and electric atmospheres, but instead, they saw thousands of empty seats. So, what went wrong?
The problem isn’t just about ticket prices, though they played a big role. FIFA, the organization behind the tournament, made several mistakes that kept fans away. From poor planning to weak promotion, the excitement that should have surrounded the event simply wasn’t there.
Chelsea’s coach, Enzo Maresca, noticed the strange atmosphere right away. “The environment was a bit strange,” he said after his team’s first match. “The stadium was almost empty.” Even when more fans arrived later, over 50,000 seats remained unfilled in Atlanta. This wasn’t an isolated incident—most matches in the tournament struggled to fill even half the stadium.
The biggest issue was FIFA’s decision to host most games in huge American football stadiums instead of smaller, more suitable venues. These massive arenas, built for NFL games, made the crowds look even smaller. For example, only 22,137 fans showed up to watch Chelsea face LAFC, a match that should have been a major attraction. In Seattle, the game between the Sounders and Botafogo drew 30,151 fans—fewer than a regular MLS match. Even worse, just 3,412 people attended the game between Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD in Orlando.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had confidently predicted full stadiums. “If in America you fill soccer stadiums for friendly games, then when you come with a World Cup, with the best players to win a competition, for sure [stadiums will be full],” he said in April. But he was wrong. The reality was far from his expectations.
Why Weren’t Fans Coming?
One major reason was the high ticket prices. When tickets first went on sale in December, the cheapest ones for the opening match cost $223, including fees. Many group-stage tickets were priced over $100, even for seats high up in the stadium. Bailey Brown, president of the Independent Supporters Council, called the prices “alarming” and worried that true football fans would be priced out.
FIFA eventually lowered prices, but by then, the damage was done. Many fans had already lost interest. Even with cheaper tickets, people weren’t rushing to buy them. Why? Because FIFA failed to make the tournament feel important.
FIFA’s Weak Promotion and Messaging
The Club World Cup has always faced criticism, especially from European clubs who see it as unnecessary. FIFA tried to sell the tournament as the “pinnacle” of club football, but their messaging fell flat. Instead of building real excitement, they relied on flashy presentations and empty promises.
Fans weren’t convinced. Many saw the tournament as just another way for FIFA to make money, not a true celebration of football. Without strong marketing, casual fans had no reason to care. Even hardcore supporters of teams like Chelsea or River Plate found it hard to justify traveling to the U.S. for matches that didn’t feel special.
The Wrong Venues and Lack of Local Interest
Another big mistake was choosing stadiums that were too large. FIFA ignored advice from its own U.S.-based staff, who likely knew that smaller MLS stadiums would create better atmospheres. Instead, they went with massive NFL venues, making the sparse crowds even more obvious.
Local fans also didn’t show up in big numbers. Unlike the World Cup or Copa América, the Club World Cup didn’t have the same emotional pull. Many American fans didn’t see it as a must-watch event. Without strong local support, the stadiums were always going to struggle to fill up.
What Could FIFA Have Done Differently?
First, they should have set reasonable ticket prices from the start. Charging over $200 for the cheapest seats was never going to work. Second, they needed better marketing—explaining why this tournament mattered and why fans should care. Third, they should have picked smaller stadiums to ensure packed crowds and better atmospheres.
The Club World Cup could have been a success. But because of FIFA’s mistakes, it turned into a disappointment. Empty stadiums don’t just look bad—they take away from the excitement of the game. Football is meant to be played in front of passionate fans, not silent stands.
