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As the start of the new FIFA Club World Cup 2025 approached, the governing body of world football faced serious challenges in filling the stadiums for several of the opening matches.
Despite the grand showcase and the unprecedented expanded format of the tournament, ticket sales were far below expectations... with one notable exception: Real Madrid.
The match between Inter Miami and Al Ahly FC, scheduled as the opening game this Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, has become the primary source of concern for FIFA.
Initially, the tickets were priced at up to 306 euros, but due to low demand, they fell dramatically to just 50 euros days before the start of the tournament.
Even with these discounts, tens of thousands of tickets remained available, according to reports from The Athletic.
To mitigate the situation, FIFA launched an aggressive promotion campaign in partnership with Miami Dade College, offering four free tickets for every discounted ticket purchased by university students for 20 dollars, which could reduce the unit cost of the ticket to just 4 dollars.
While other clubs struggle to attract fans, Real Madrid has achieved the unthinkable: nearly selling out its tickets for the group stage.
The white team, led by stars like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Jr., will debut against Al Hilal in Miami with all tickets already sold out. The same situation applies to their second match against RB Salzburg in Philadelphia.
Only availability remains for their third match against Pachuca, which will take place on June 22 in Charlotte, although demand remains high and many tickets are already being offered on the secondary market at significantly higher prices.
This difference in interest —an overwhelming enthusiasm for seeing the European champion contrasted with the lukewarm reception of other matches— exposes one of FIFA's main challenges: making this revamped Club World Cup a truly global event that appeals to the American audience.
Despite the allure of seeing Lionel Messi leading Inter Miami, the tournament's debut on American soil has not generated the anticipated excitement.
Frequently Asked Questions about the FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Why did FIFA decide to lower ticket prices for the 2025 Club World Cup?
FIFA has reduced ticket prices due to low demand for tickets to the opening matches of the 2025 Club World Cup. Although the tournament has an expanded format, sales have been much lower than expected, with the exception of the matches featuring Real Madrid. This measure aims to encourage public attendance at the stadiums.
What are the main attractions of the 2025 Club World Cup?
The 2025 Club World Cup stands out for its innovative expanded format and the participation of major stars like Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé. Additionally, Real Madrid has generated significant interest, nearly selling out tickets for its matches. However, the tournament faces the challenge of becoming an appealing global event for the American audience.
What challenges does FIFA face in popularizing the Club World Cup in the United States?
FIFA faces several challenges in popularizing the Club World Cup in the United States, including the lack of a deep-rooted football culture, high initial ticket prices, and the saturation of sporting events in the country. Additionally, restrictive immigration policies may be impacting the attendance of international audiences.
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