The expected premiere of the new format of the Club World Cupthat this year is celebrated in USA and replace the old Confederations Cuphas begun with an unexpected image. The competition shows half -stages and a assistance well below of the provisions of half of the first day matches. According to official data, eight of the 16 opening matches They failed to fill or half of the available locations.
In some cases, The influx was so low That a few bleachers were barely occupied, leaving large empty spaces in enclosures designed to house tens of thousands of fans. The most striking case was the confrontation between Ulsan Hyundai y Mamelodi Sundownswhich barely gathered just over 3,000 spectators in a stadium with capacity for 25,000 (the explanation Stadium of Orlando).
While the matches starring renowned teams, such as the Real Madrid or the Atlético de Madridthey did attract a considerable crowd. In fact, the picture led by the 'Cholo 'Simeone He has the tournament record. Against him Paris Saint-Germain of Luis Enriquemore than 80,000 people attended the meeting in the Rose Bowl from Pasadenain California.
🇺🇸 📉 423,004 empty seats across the first 16 group stage games in the U.S.
👥 Total attendance: 556,369
🏟️ Stadiums filled at just 56.8% capacity
📌 9 venues, 979,373 total capacity📉 Lowest turnout:
Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns – only 3,412 fans in Orlando (13.6% full)— Boomerang Bet (@Boomerang_SB) June 20, 2025
Among the factors that explain this low assistance are the low popularity of Some participating teams and the lack of football tradition in certain American cities. In addition, high ticket prices and coincidence with other sporting events have been able to influence The fans's decision. Despite the images of empty bleachers, from the organization it insists that the tournament is still in its early stages and that a audience increase As the competition advances and more attractive matches are disputed.
This is how the New Club World Cup works
The FIFA and the clubs will be distributed equally the income of the new Club World Cup. For the first time, FIFA and participating clubs will share 50% the benefits generated by the competition, which aspires to collect 2,000 million dollars. The new format, with 32 teams of five continents, is a radical change with respect to previous editions, since the champion will receive nearby 150 million dollars And all participants will have an entrance check ranging from 38 million for Europeans and 3.6 million for lower profile teams.
The tournament has the support of large sponsors such as Saudi ArabiaAramco, Visa, Budweiser, Coca-Cola and Bank of America, and hopes to attract 3.7 million foreign fansgenerating an economic impact of 9.6 billion dollars on American GDP. DAZN has acquired the global retransmission rights by nearby 1,000 million dollars, Although the tournament faces challenges such as the low occupation in less attractive matches, which has led to reducing the price of tickets up to 84%.
In addition, FIFA will invest 11 million dollars in social initiatives and the construction of mini soccer fields in the host cities, seeking to leave a positive legacy and counteract criticism about the marketing and environmental impact of the event.
