Only 22,137 fans attended Chelsea's opening Club World Cup match against LAFC at a 71,000 capacity stadium in Atlanta, but FIFA chiefs are confident that the event is a success
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ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JUNE 16: A general view of empty seats during the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 group D match between Chelsea FC and Los Angeles Football Club at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on June 16, 2025 in Atlanta, United States. (Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
There were a number of empty seats during Chelsea's Club World Cup clash with LAFC
FIFA bosses regard the Club World Cup as a success despite the low attendances. Chelsea ’s opening fixture in the tournament with Los Angeles FC saw only 22,137 fans turn up in the vast Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
They are also braced for more low attendances in other Group matches but were expecting low crowds in certain games despite slashing ticket prices to as low as £38 for general admission.
However, FIFA have already totted up aggregate crowds of more than 250,000 for the tournament and are fully expecting it to catch light in the later rounds with big showdowns lined up.
Real Madrid, Paris Saint Germain and Manchester City could draw big crowds as well as other European heavyweights and big names like Jude Bellingham, Harry Kane and Lionel Messi.
They saw gates in excess of 60,000 for Inter Miami’s opener and 80,000-plus in the Rose Bowl to watch PSG beat Atletico Madrid.
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Chelsea was a big disappointment on Monday in Atlanta but it was played at 3pm local time on a normal working day and yet there is an expectation they will keep daytime games in next year’s World Cup.
However, Los Angeles getting through did mean a lower gate because if Mexican side Club America had won that play-off for the final spot there was an expectation they could have sold out the stadium in Atlanta three times over.
There has also been decent TV viewing figures with Channel 5 reporting peak audiences in excess of 560,000 even for Bayern Munich ’s 10-0 win over Auckland City.
A general view of empty seats during the FIFA Club World Cup match between Chelsea FC and Los Angeles Football Club
Only 22,137 fans turned up to the 71,000 capacity stadium for Chelsea's opener
Even though the Chelsea game was a serious blow, FIFA expect the final and semi finals in the 82,500 capacity Met Life Stadium to be a huge attraction.
They still see the Club World Cup as a work in progress, it will take time to catch on and to grow.
But the feeling is that it has so far been a success rather than a flop despite the stay-away fans and public criticism of players being forced to play too many games.
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