Fans don't appear to be snatching up tickets to the Club World Cup
Associated Press
If slashed ticket prices, closed stadium sections and moved seats are any indication, fans aren't exactly clamoring to attend the Club World Cup.
The tournament opens Saturday with Lionel Messi's Inter Miami facing Al Ahly at Florida's Hard Rock Stadium. Thirty-two teams are taking part in the newly expanded tournament that will be played across 11 U.S. cities. The final is set for July 13 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
On Ticketmaster, FIFA's official ticketing partner for the Club World Cup, the least expensive tickets to the opener were $349 in December. As of Thursday, there were tickets available for just under $80.
Upper deck seats for certain games at Seattle's Lumen Field and Philadelphia's Lincoln Financial Field were no longer available. Links to a smattering of resale tickets in those sections did not work.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed to The Associated Press that some sections of Lumen Field in Seattle had been closed, but did not offer details. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not allowed to speak on the record.
In Philadelphia, some ticketholders received messages that said they were moved.
'As we continue preparations to deliver a world-class event, we are making a few enhancements inside the stadium to optimize operations and ensure the best possible matchday experience for fans, players and the global broadcast audience," the message said. 'As a result of these stadium optimizations, some seats, including yours, will be relocated. We want to ensure you that your new seat will be in the same or better value zone than your original one.'
Ticketmaster used dynamic pricing for ticket sales, which is based on demand and other factors. They referred all questions about sales to FIFA.
FIFA did not respond to questions about whether sections were closed due to slow ticket sales, or whether fans who originally bought tickets in those sections were moved or offered refunds.
But soccer's international governing body did offer a general statement.
'We anticipate great attendances and electric atmospheres at its inaugural edition, with excitement growing with every round of matches and the tournament ultimately standing as the undisputed pinnacle of club world football,' the statement said in part. 'The appetite speaks for itself: fans from over 130 countries have already purchased tickets. The top 10 markets are led by the United States, followed by Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Canada, France, Japan, Switzerland, Germany and Portugal — a clear sign of global anticipation and reach.'
With 32 international teams, there are undoubtedly some clubs that are unfamiliar to American audiences. There are also 63 total matches, meaning not all can occur in prime hours for fans.
Argentine club River Plate is playing Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds at Lumen Field on Tuesday at noon local time ($24 tickets), while a noon game between Brazil's Fluminense and Germany's Borussia Dortmund had tickets available via Ticketmaster for $23.
However, some matches were drawing fans, including Paris Saint-Germain's opener against Atletico Madrid on Sunday at the Rose Bowl, where the least expensive seats were $100.
The least expensive ticket for July's tournament final available through Ticketmaster was $769.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino urged fans to buy tickets at a hype event in the leadup to the tournament this week.
'Be part of history,' he said. 'Football is such an important sport all over the world. We have billions of people watching this Club World Cup from home who would love to club and to attend."
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June 26: Al Hilal vs. Pachuca – 9 p.m. ET, GEODIS Park, Nashville June 26: Red Bull Salzburg vs. Real Madrid – 9 p.m. ET, Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia Knockout Stage The top two teams from each group will advance to the Round of 16, with the knockout stage scheduled as follows: Round of 16: June 28 – July 1 Quarterfinals: July 4 – July 5 Semifinals: July 8 – July 9 Final: July 13 at 3 p.m. ET, MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey From aging icons to emerging stars, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises high-caliber competition and a showcase of soccer's global talent. From aging icons to emerging stars, the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup promises high-caliber competition and a showcase of soccer's global talent. Getty Images Lionel Messi, Kylian Mbappé, John Arias, Franco Mastantuono, Ousmane Dembélé: Top Athletes To Watch For From aging icons to emerging stars, the 2025 Club World Cup promises high-caliber competition and a showcase of soccer's global talent. Lionel Messi headlines the tournament with Inter Miami, anchoring an attack alongside longtime teammate Luis Suárez. It will be a tough test for the MLS franchise and for Messi himself to compete in such a high-caliber tournament against top-level opposition. Kylian Mbappé, after a strong personal season in an otherwise disappointing campaign for Real Madrid, is expected to be the centerpiece of Los Blancos' title push. Teaming with Brazilian superstar Vinicius Jr. and former Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, Mbappé's pursuit of the trophy is tied to his ambitions for a Ballon d'Or. Madrid's group-stage matchups with Al Hilal and Pachuca will test their cohesion early on. The tournament also serves as a farewell for German legend Thomas Müller, who will likely make his final competitive appearances for Bayern Munich. The veteran forward has been a cornerstone of Bayern's dominance for more than a decade and a half. His leadership and experience will be key as the German side aims to win the restructured event under manager Vincent Kompany. From Brazil, Fluminense's John Arias offers pace, vision and incisive passing. His play will be pivotal if the club hopes to progress beyond the group stage. Another South American name to watch is River Plate 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono, one of the most highly regarded young prospects in global soccer and recently signed by Real Madrid after a long pursuit by several European clubs. Paris Saint-Germain, just crowned European champions for the first time, will look to Ousmane Dembélé and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to lead the attack in Mbappé's absence. Managed by Spanish coach Luis Enrique, PSG's skill and speed could prove decisive here, just as they were in the last edition of the UEFA Champions League. Manchester City enter this tournament amid a rebuild, with manager Pep Guardiola reconfiguring the midfield following Kevin De Bruyne's departure. Guardiola's squad still boasts depth, but the tactical shift post-De Bruyne will be closely watched. How To Get Tickets According to FIFA, tickets for the general public are available via the official FIFA ticketing site and its official partner, Ticketmaster, with Club Fan Tickets offered specifically for supporters of participating teams. Pricing varies by venue, teams involved and match stage.
