Chelsea vs LAFC: Blues begin FIFA Club World Cup journey in near-empty Mercedes-Benz Stadium
Chelsea FC opened their FIFA Club World Cup campaign against Los Angeles FC on June 16, 2025, at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. However, the event failed to draw a big crowd.
With a capacity of 75,000, the stadium had its entire top tier closed. FIFA expected around 26,000 fans, according to a BBC report. But at the 3 pm kickoff, the turnout looked even smaller. While the middle tier was mostly full, the larger bottom tier was more than half empty, creating a quiet atmosphere for the team's first match.
The match took place at 3 pm on a Monday, coinciding with typical work hours. LAFC supporters traveled over 2,000 miles from Los Angeles, with 1,500 ultras providing the majority of the crowd's energy. Tickets started at approximately £37. It is to be noted that the ticket sales for weekday matches in FIFA's expanded 32-team Club World Cup have been notably slow.
Two years ago, Chelsea played at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in a friendly against Newcastle during the Premier League Summer Series, drawing over 70,000 fans and nearly selling out the venue.
This vibrant turnout stands in sharp contrast to the empty seats at the Club World Cup opener, suggesting that FIFA's new tournament format may not yet have the same pull as other soccer events in Atlanta, a city aiming to establish itself as a global sports destination.
Atlanta is one of 11 US cities hosting the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, featuring top clubs like Manchester City and Inter Miami. Mercedes-Benz Stadium underwent a major upgrade, replacing its artificial turf with real grass for the event.
The Chelsea vs Los Angeles FC clash in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will be streamed live on DAZN's YouTube channel. DAZN is FIFA's global broadcast partner for Club World Cup 2025 in the United States. There is no update on the tournament's official broadcaster in India
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