In a tournament meant to signal global football’s future, the present reality in Atlanta told a different story — one of silence, empty seats, and a stunned football community.
As Chelsea defeated Los Angeles FC 2-0 in their opening match of the FIFA Club World Cup, they did so in front of a ghostly crowd at the 71,000-capacity Mercedes-Benz Stadium. With only 22,137 fans in attendance, and the entire upper tier closed off, the sight of tens of thousands of red seats sparked a question far bigger than just poor turnout: Is FIFA’s bold new Club World Cup failing to connect with fans — or was this simply a case of bad scheduling?
Midday Kickoff, Minimal Buzz
Scheduled at 3pm local time on a Monday, the match clashed with the standard American workday — an early red flag for a nation where midweek daytime sports rarely pull in crowds. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca admitted the atmosphere was unusual.
“The environment was a bit strange, the stadium was almost empty… but we are professionals and have to adapt,” said Maresca post-match.
Though FIFA had reportedly expected around 26,000 attendees, even that figure fell short. While the middle tier held modest numbers, the bottom tier was more than half empty, and Ticketmaster listings showed tickets still available in virtually every section — even into the second half.
Ticket Pricing: Another Misstep
Prices didn’t help. The cheapest ticket was £37 before kickoff, with many seats listed for less than that during the match itself. While resale platforms showed tickets as low as £26, demand never caught up — perhaps unsurprisingly so for a weekday match between teams from opposite coasts, with LAFC fans needing to travel over 2,000 miles.
In fact, it was LAFC’s small contingent of around 150 ultras that generated most of the stadium’s energy. Chelsea’s global fanbase showed little presence, a stark contrast to the 70,000-strong crowd that filled the same venue two years ago when the Blues faced Newcastle in a friendly.
Apathy or Poor Planning?
The quiet stadium reignited skepticism surrounding the Club World Cup’s revamped format, which features 32 teams and is seen as a test run for the 2026 World Cup. With most group-stage matches scheduled during U.S. work hours, fan engagement has struggled from day one.
“People aren’t here because it’s Monday at 3pm,” said Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “It’s a tournament that doesn’t mean much to people here… and many are saving money for the actual World Cup next year.”
Jonathan Tannenwald of the Philadelphia Inquirer echoed this sentiment, blaming FIFA’s marketing approach:
“There was no real local organizing committee. FIFA just expected people to turn up. That’s on them.”
Warning Signs for 2026?
For FIFA, the optics were undeniably poor. A nearly empty stadium at the launch of what’s meant to be their second-biggest competition is a public relations blow. As BBC chief football writer Phil McNulty put it:
“The sea of empty red seats… provided grim confirmation. This may be an early warning that ticket pricing and scheduling for the 2026 World Cup must be handled more wisely.”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino, known for his bullish approach to expanding competitions, now faces questions over the viability of staging high-profile football in the U.S. without more thoughtful logistics.
Not All Bad News
Interestingly, some matches have drawn sizable crowds. Over 60,000 attended the opener between Inter Miami and Al-Ahly, and 80,619 showed up for PSG vs Atletico Madrid. However, attendance has wildly fluctuated:
- Boca Juniors vs Benfica drew over 55,000 in Miami
- Flamengo vs ES Tunis brought just 25,797 in Philadelphia
- Other matches posted figures between 21,000 and 46,000
Clearly, the Club World Cup isn’t a total failure but it’s far from a guaranteed success. And so far, Real Madrid’s opener is the only match close to selling out (officially 200 tickets left, with thousands more available via resellers).
Local vs National Disconnect
After the match, LAFC head coach Steve Cherundolo suggested geography might explain the apathy:
“In LA, there was a huge crowd for PSG vs Atletico Madrid. Maybe LA likes football more than Atlanta.”
But Atlanta is no stranger to football fandom. The city is home to Atlanta United, the MLS’s top-attended team, averaging over 44,000 fans per match. The problem wasn’t local interest, it was timing, pricing, and perhaps the vague significance of a new tournament.
A Lesson FIFA Cannot Ignore
This wasn’t just a poor crowd — it was a red flag.
The Club World Cup may have global ambitions, but without clear fan education, better scheduling, and smarter ticketing strategies, it risks becoming a bloated spectacle with little soul.
As FIFA eyes the 2026 World Cup — the biggest tournament in football history ,this empty-seats spectacle must serve as a lesson. Football fans are willing to show up. But they need a reason, a connection, and a price tag they can live with.
The empty seats in Atlanta didn’t just signal disinterest ,they spoke volumes.
Written By Joe Brens
Subscribe to Follow Global Trends for daily global news.
Find Out How To Make Money As A Full-Time Writer/Blogger Guide.
Sports Money: Become A Sports Blogger & Content Creator And Start Earning Today!
To Advertise or Publish A Press Release, send a mail to info.followglobaltrends@gmail.com
Related Articles
Welcome to Chelsea, Mamadou Sarr : A New Era Begins at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea Completes £30 Million Signing of Liam Delap from Ipswich Town
Cole Palmer to Wear Iconic No. 10 Shirt for Chelsea Next Season
EXCLUSIVE: Chelsea Make Official Move For Mike Maignan Amid Contract Stalemate At AC Milan
