FIFA is facing growing scrutiny over poor attendance figures at its newly expanded Club World Cup, following reports that fewer than 600 spectators were present for a group stage match at Inter & Co Stadium in Orlando on Tuesday. The match, featuring South Korean side Ulsan Hyundai and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, was played in front of swathes of empty seats despite the venue’s 25,500 capacity. It is estimated that only 97 fans were inside ahead of kickoff. By the time the match began, after a weather delay, the attendance had reportedly increased to just 557. FIFA later listed the official attendance as 3,412.
Opening matches struggle to draw crowds
The attendance woes follow similar scenes at other early matches in the tournament. Chelsea’s opening game against Los Angeles FC at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium drew only 22,000 fans in a venue that seats 75,000. General admission tickets had been on sale for £38, though the top tier of the stadium was closed due to low demand.
Despite the underwhelming crowd numbers, FIFA claims nearly 1.5 million tickets have been sold for the competition. In a press release, the organisation noted that more than 340,000 fans had attended the first eight matches and emphasised that the most in-demand group stage fixtures were yet to be played.
Ticket prices slashed to boost turnout
In response to the sluggish sales, FIFA has introduced aggressive price cuts, including offering tickets to local college students for as little as $20. Matches are being priced using a dynamic model, adjusting in real time based on demand. Efforts have also reportedly been made to relocate fans within stadiums to ensure empty sections are not visible on broadcast coverage.
Some matches, however, have seen better turnout. Inter Miami’s opening game at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium drew over 60,000 fans in a venue that holds 65,000. Similarly, 80,619 fans attended the Paris Saint-Germain vs. Atletico Madrid clash at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles.