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3d ago

Club World Cup Launch Draws Tepid Crowds in U.S.

Ticket prices plunged from hundreds of dollars to single digits in a bid to boost attendance at venues such as MetLife Stadium.

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Overview

  • MetLife Stadium attracted about 46,000 fans for FC Porto versus SE Palmeiras and group-stage games at Lumen Field and a 26,000-seat MLS ground in Cincinnati fell well short of capacity.
  • FIFA set aside a $1 billion prize pool, including $125 million for the champion, and opened a special transfer window for clubs to reinforce their rosters.
  • Concurrent CONCACAF Gold Cup fixtures also underperformed, with SoFi Stadium and PayPal Park filling only around three-quarters and two-thirds of their seats respectively.
  • Supporters displayed banners protesting FIFA’s governance, marking the tenth anniversary of the Baur au Lac corruption raid during matches in Miami and New Jersey.
  • Analysts and former players such as Alexi Lalas and Landon Donovan praised the expanded tournament as a valuable showcase for U.S. soccer ahead of the 2026 World Cup despite its muted debut.