As the FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in the United States, early ticket sales reveal challenges in filling stadiums for several matches. FIFA’s official ticketing site shows limited availability for some games, raising concerns about attendance numbers.
One example is the match between South Korea’s Ulsan Hyundai and South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns at Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium. Only a small section behind one goal remains for sale, with tickets starting at just $11 USD (about $16 AUD). This suggests the crowd may be sparse for this fixture.
Tickets for the tournament opener between Al-Ahly and Inter Miami remained available just hours before kickoff, yet the match still drew a strong crowd of over 60,000 fans. To boost attendance at other matches, FIFA partnered with Miami Dade College. Students can buy one ticket for $1 USD (around $1.54 AUD) and receive four additional tickets free, a strategy often used to encourage ticket sales when interest is low.
Ticket prices have fluctuated throughout the tournament. Early buyers have reportedly received partial refunds as prices dropped. For instance, a ticket to see Bayern Munich play Auckland City in Cincinnati can cost as little as $52 USD ($80 AUD). In contrast, if Bayern reaches the final at MetLife Stadium on July 13, the cheapest resale tickets exceed $657 USD (over $1,000 AUD), showing a sharp price difference depending on the match stage.
Lower-than-expected crowds, especially in early rounds, could harm FIFA’s reputation. While television broadcasts often hide empty seats, social media posts make it harder to mask attendance issues.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has expressed a preference for larger venues over the smaller stadiums typically used for Major League Soccer matches. However, FIFA has not shared detailed ticket sales figures. They confirm the highest sales are in the U.S., followed by Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, and Canada. The United Kingdom ranks 11th, behind countries like France, Japan, and Saudi Arabia.
The tournament has struggled to build a solid fan base since its inception. FIFA appears eager to elevate the Club World Cup to rival major European competitions, despite challenges in aligning the event with the regular club football calendar.
Infantino seems focused on ensuring top European clubs and key South American teams advance deep into the tournament, aiming to boost its prestige and global appeal.
