Empty seats are everywhere at the Club World Cup 2025, but does that mean the tournament is failing? Here's a simple breakdown of what's really going on.
People have noticed a big problem at the 2025 Club World Cup—many
seats in the stadiums are empty. This has led to a lot of talk online and in
the news. But should we really be so worried about this?
Why Are Empty
Seats a Big Deal?
Photos of empty chairs are all over social media. Some are taken just minutes before the games begin. These pictures make it seem like no one is coming to the games, and that the tournament is a big failure.
But Let’s Think About It
Yes, many seats are empty. But these games are being played in very
big stadiums. Some seats are empty because ticket prices were too high,
or games were held during work hours. Also, traveling is hard for
fans from faraway places like South Korea or South Africa.
Some fans in the U.S. might not feel safe going to big events because of
immigration issues, like ICE raids. That’s something to think about too.
What the Numbers Say
FIFA says stadiums are about 52% full on average. That means more
than half the seats are taken. Not great, but not terrible either. Some matches
still had great crowds. For example:
22,000 fans went to watch Chelsea vs LAFC in Atlanta – on a Monday during
work hours.
35,000 people showed up for Flamengo vs Esperance in Philadelphia.
Over 40,000 fans came
to see Monterrey vs Inter at the Rose Bowl.
These are good crowds, even if the stadiums look half-empty.
Bigger Stadiums Make Crowds Look Smaller
In the past, Major League Soccer (MLS) teams in the U.S. had the
same problem. They played in huge stadiums that made small crowds look tiny.
Now, most MLS teams use smaller stadiums, which feel more full and exciting.
Maybe FIFA should learn from this.
Empty seats might not mean the Club World Cup is failing. A lot
of people are still going to games, even with high ticket prices and other
problems.
FIFA may have made the event too big, thinking it would be like
the World Cup for countries. But club soccer is different. Fans follow
their favorite teams every week. It’s more personal and local.
So, next time you see a photo of empty seats, remember – the real story
might be more than just what you see.
Credit: This article is
based on a report by Alexander Abnos for The Guardian.
Read the original article here
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