By Martin Graham
Chelsea kicked off their FIFA Club World Cup journey with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC, but the match was played in front of tens of thousands of empty seats at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The official attendance was just 22,137 in a stadium that can accommodate up to 71,000 spectators, although the upper section was closed entirely.
The match was held at 3pm local time on a Monday, raising questions about scheduling decisions. Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca described the experience as “strange,” acknowledging the unusual atmosphere but stressing the need for players to adapt regardless of crowd size. A source close to the organizers had initially projected a turnout of around 26,000.
Despite the stadium’s reputation for drawing large football crowds – Atlanta United averages over 44,000 fans – most of the lower tier was half-empty, and tickets remained widely available during the game. Although some were sold at around £26 during play, prices had been significantly higher earlier.
The Los Angeles side entered the competition as a late replacement for Leon and brought a vocal group of supporters, though they were far outnumbered by Chelsea fans. The atmosphere inside the venue saw pockets of enthusiasm, mostly during goal celebrations, a debut appearance by Liam Delap, and controversial refereeing calls.
The expanded version of the Club World Cup is considered a trial run for the 2026 international tournament, which will be held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Yet concerns have emerged about how the new format is being received. A number of group games are scheduled on weekdays at midday or early afternoon, possibly limiting turnout.
Two years ago, Chelsea managed to attract over 70,000 fans to a friendly at the same venue, suggesting the low turnout this time may not be due to a lack of support but rather a mix of poor timing, high costs, and weak promotion.
Observers have pointed to the lack of local engagement and promotion efforts by FIFA. According to Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jonathan Tannenwald, there was no independent organizing committee on the ground, and the governing body relied heavily on in-house planning. Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution attributed the low attendance partly to the timing, adding that many fans might be prioritizing the upcoming World Cup instead.
Journalist Phil McNulty noted that the near-empty stadium was a troubling sign for an event that FIFA has heavily invested in. He described the turnout as a “bad look,” emphasizing that ticket pricing and match timing need to be reconsidered ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Despite the slow sales, there have been games with higher crowds. Paris St-Germain’s victory over Atletico Madrid drew over 80,000 fans in Los Angeles. Boca Juniors’ meeting with Benfica saw over 55,000 attend in Miami, and more than 60,000 were reported at the opener involving Inter Miami and Al-Ahly.
Tickets remain available for all upcoming matches, some at discounted rates. While FIFA’s model relies on flexible pricing based on demand, student-focused promotions and sluggish sales across multiple venues suggest broader interest in the Club World Cup may still be developing.
