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New York Times
28 minutes ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Have Club World Cup attendances really been that bad?
The group stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup has concluded and 48 of the tournament's 63 matches have now taken place. The competition, which is being hosted in the United States, drew plenty of criticism in the build-up — including for how many games were being held in large, out-of-town stadiums in cities traditionally lacking in football (or soccer) fandom. Advertisement So what have attendances actually been like? How many stadiums have come close to filling all of their seats? How have crowd sizes compared to the American-hosted 1994 men's World Cup and previous Club World Cups? And which have been the most and least-watched teams and groups at the tournament? Here, The Athletic dives into the numbers and lays out the facts surrounding the attendances so far. Firstly, this is what the attendance has been at each game so far at the tournament. The figures are FIFA's (the below table is sortable). FIFA has confirmed the attendance for both Mamelodi Sundowns vs Fluminense and Urawa Red Diamonds vs Monterrey (both played on June 25) was, by coincidence, exactly 14,312. The 80,619 fans who watched Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain thrash Atletico Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California is the highest attendance of the tournament so far. This match is, for now, the best-attended game in Club World Cup history. The previous highest reported attendances were the 73,000 who watched Manchester United vs Vasco da Gama (group stage) and Corinthians vs Vasco da Gama (final) at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro in the inaugural version of the competition in 2000. The lowest attendance is the 3,412 present for South Korean side Ulsan HD's clash with Mamelodi Sundowns of South Africa at the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, Florida on June 17, which was also delayed for 65 minutes given fears of thunderstorms. The nearby Walt Disney World averages that many visitors roughly every 30 minutes. The last men's World Cup game to have a lower attendance was Wales vs Hungary in a group-stage play-off in Sweden in 1958 (2,823) and the last Premier League match (excluding games during the coronavirus pandemic) to attract a smaller crowd was Wimbledon vs Everton at Selhurst Park in January 1993, with just 3,039 people at the ground. Advertisement It is not, however, the lowest-attended Club World Cup match ever (excluding games held during the pandemic). That distinction is held by the second-round match between Mexican club Leon and Japanese side Urawa Red Diamonds at the 2023 tournament in Saudi Arabia. Just 2,525 people (in a 27,000-capacity ground) watched Urawa win 1-0. The average attendance at the 2025 Club World Cup has been 34,759. The average across the previous 18 — much smaller — editions that were not affected by the pandemic was 32,505. While, at face value, this suggests attendances have been better than usual for the tournament, larger stadiums have been used for this edition, which must be taken into account. Here is the average attendance for each day of the tournament. The highest figure, on June 14, was set on the first day of the competition, when the only game was between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Egyptian side Al Ahly at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. The lowest was on June 25, when the final games in Groups E and F took place. Three of the four matches were attended by fewer than 15,000 people and just 14,312 people watched Monterrey's victory over Urawa Red Diamonds at the Rose Bowl. That meant more than 75,000 seats — a figure higher than Old Trafford's total capacity — were left empty at the stadium that hosted the 1994 World Cup final. Looking at the 12 stadiums being used for the tournament, the Hard Rock Stadium tops the list for percentage of seats filled. The ground in south Florida has been, on average, 81.8 per cent full during its six games hosted so far. Notably, two of these matches have involved Messi. The lowest is the Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando, which has only been 19.9 per cent full. The MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — which will host both the final of this tournament and next summer's World Cup, which the U.S. is jointly hosting with Canada and Mexico — has the third-lowest percentage of seats filled so far, with just under 45. The club to have played in front of the most fans so far at the tournament are record 15-time European champions Real Madrid with a total of 197,474, averaging 65,825 over their three games. And the side to have been the least-watched are Mamelodi Sundowns, who totalled 31,730 at an average of 10,577 per game. Advertisement The group with the highest total attendance was Group B (PSG, Botafogo, Atletico and Seattle Sounders) with 289,725 at an average of 48,288 per match and the one with the lowest total attendance was Group F (Borussia Dortmund, Fluminense, Mamelodi Sundowns and Ulsan HD) with 104,026, averaging 17,338. So, how does the group stage at the 2025 Club World Cup, with an average attendance of 34,759, compare to the 1994 World Cup in the U.S.? Well, that tournament 31 years ago averaged 67,526 for group-stage attendance — not far off double what we have seen this summer. As for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, that averaged 51,188 in the groups and the average attendance across the 380 Premier League games in 2024-25 was 40,423. But a word of caution when comparing different competitions across different eras: this is the first edition of the rebranded Club World Cup and it is far less popular than the World Cup and the Premier League, so the lower attendance figures are to be expected. So while crowd sizes have not been — on the whole — disastrous so far, FIFA will hope they increase during the knockout stage. And, at next year's World Cup, the sport's governing body will be desperate to avoid the scenes we have seen at several games this summer, with well over 50,000 empty seats in some stadiums. Even so, the added prestige and global interest in the World Cup will inevitably mean higher attendances in the group stage of that tournament — although ticket prices and difficulty in reaching some out-of-town stadiums could pose a challenge.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Fabrizio Romano confirms Atletico Madrid decision on Andy Robertson
Atletico Madrid are planning a change of transfer direction in the coming days following an update from Liverpool. Diego Simeone is rumoured to be looking at several transfer targets to bolster his squad following a disappointing FIFA Club World Cup campaign. Advertisement Atletico Madrid's group stage exit in the USA has sharpened focus on what Simeone needs to do in the summer transfer market. Left back has been highlighted as a key area to be improved with Andy Robertson emerging as Simeone's rumoured No.1 option. Atletico Madrid receive Andy Robertson transfer update From the start of their interest in the Scotland international, Atletico Madrid outlined their stance of looking for a cut price deal, with the 31-year-old into the final year of his contract at Anfield. Initial estimates claimed Liverpool would accept an offer in the region of £5m, as a cheaper option to Aston Villa's Lucas Digne, but that was not accepted by Los Rojiblancos. Advertisement Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has since offered an update on the situation with a hint that patience has run out in Madrid as Robertson delays his call. 'We don't expect Andy Robertson to go to Atletico Madrid anymore,' Romano stated on his YouTube channel. 'Robertson was a candidate, a strong candidate, for Atletico Madrid. They had concrete conversations, then the player was taking his time to decide his future, also out of respect for Liverpool, where he's still loving the club, the fan base and all the people at the club. 'It's important to say Atletico Madrid, as I told you several times, wanted to pay a very small transfer fee or a free transfer for Robertson from Liverpool, so that was not possible.' Robertson's apparent desire to stay on Merseyside has enabled Simeone to explore other options on the left side of his defence with a possible bid incoming for Atalanta's Matteo Ruggeri next month.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atletico Madrid ‘warned off' signing key defensive target
Diego Simeone is ready to launch a summer squad rebuild following Atletico Madrid's FIFA Club World Cup exit. Los Rojiblancos were dumped out in the group stages following a poor showing in the USA earlier this month. Advertisement Simeone's charges will now head away on their summer breaks but the Argentinian coach is already planning for next season. Defence is rumoured to be a key area of focus for Simeone despite completing a permanent deal for France international Clement Lenglet from Barcelona. Atletico Madrid have been linked with several targets but interest in Bayer Leverkusen centre back Piero Hincapie has been rejected by the German club at this stage. Premier League side fire Atletico Madrid transfer warning Simeone remains keen on a move for Tottenham defender Cristian Romero after admitting he is a big fan of his fellow countryman. Advertisement Spurs' victory in the UEFA Europa League final has given the club a back door route into the Champions League next season and bolstered their finances in the process. Image via James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images The pressure to sell Romero is now reduced and new boss Thomas Frank is keen to retain Romero alongside Micky van de Ven as his first choice centre back pairing as part of his bold plans for the squad. Tottenham set Romero asking price to Atletico Madrid As per the latest update from the Daily Telegraph, Tottenham will not be 'bullied' into accepting any offers that fall below their current transfer valuation of the 27-year-old. Advertisement Frank and the Spurs hierarchy will push for a minimum of £60m and they will only accept if Romero indicates his desire to leave North London for Madrid in July. The Premier League side could also have an extra incentive to retain Romero, with doubts growing over captain Son Heung-min staying beyond the summer, and they could offer the former Atalanta defender the armband for the 2025/26 campaign.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
More than 1 million empty seats for Club World Cup group stage. Knockout rounds up next
A small number of fans watches the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) A generl view of the TQL Stadium is seen before the Club World Cup Group F soccer match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Borussia Dortmund in Cincinnati, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean) A fan from Atletico Madrid cheers prior to the Club World Cup Group B soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Greg Bull) Fans take their seats for the Club World Cup group F soccer match between Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund in East Rutherford, N.J., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Seats are empty during the Club World Cup Group F soccer match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Fluminense in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Seats are empty during the Club World Cup Group F soccer match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Fluminense in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) A small number of fans watches the Club World Cup group A soccer match between Palmeiras and Al Ahly in East Rutherford, N.J., Thursday, June 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) A generl view of the TQL Stadium is seen before the Club World Cup Group F soccer match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Borussia Dortmund in Cincinnati, Saturday, June 21, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean) A fan from Atletico Madrid cheers prior to the Club World Cup Group B soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Botafogo in Pasadena, Calif., Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Greg Bull) Fans take their seats for the Club World Cup group F soccer match between Fluminense and Borussia Dortmund in East Rutherford, N.J., Tuesday, June 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig) Seats are empty during the Club World Cup Group F soccer match between Mamelodi Sundowns and Fluminense in Miami Gardens, Fla., Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) After a group stage played in front of more than 1 million empty seats, the Club World Cup moves on to knockout rounds that could soon resemble a Champions League clone. Nine teams that advanced to the round of 16 are from Europe along with four from Brazil and one each from Major League Soccer, Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Advertisement About 56.7% of publicly listed capacity was filled for the 48 group stage matches, which included crowds of 3,412 and 6,730 in Orlando, Florida; 5,282 and 8,239 in Cincinnati. FIFA did not provide specific capacities for the tournament despite repeated requests from The Associated Press. Total announced attendance was 1.67 million from 2.95 million capacity, an average of 34,759. Just 44.9% was filled for five matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the site of next year's World Cup final, and 50% at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, where the 1994 championship game was played. Among other 2026 sites, 81.8% of capacity was filled in Miami Gardens, Florida, 61.6% in Philadelphia, 52% in Seattle and 44.3% in Atlanta. Advertisement FIFA spokesman Bryan Swanson did not respond to a request for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to discuss the tournament and attendance. FIFA issued a statement that said: 'The appetite of the tournament speaks for itself: fans from 168 countries have already purchased tickets ... a clear sign of global anticipation and reach.' The 12 games televised with English commentary on TNT, TBS and truTV averaged 360,000 viewers through Monday, including 409,000 for seven matches on nights and weekends. Seven of eight quarterfinal spots could be European clubs The second round opens Saturday with an all-Brazilian matchup of Palmeiras and Botafogo, followed by Chelsea-Benfica later in the day. Advertisement Sunday starts with the high-profile meeting of Inter Miami and Lionel Messi against European champion Paris Saint-Germain and is followed by Bayern Munich-Flamengo. Inter Milan-Fluminese and Manchester City-Al Hilal are on Monday, and Real Madrid-Juventus and Borussia Dortmund-Monterrey on Tuesday. European teams won 16 of the 17 previous editions of an eight-team Club World Cup, the lone exception a 2012 victory by Brazil's Corinthians over Chelsea. Manchester City is the only team that went 3-0 in the group stage. Watching the weather Five of the 12 stadiums being used are sites for next year's World Cup, which will have 104 matches instead of 64 and many more games lacking prestigious teams and players. Advertisement There were five weather delays in the Club World Cup group stage and temperatures at times rose well over 90 degrees (32 Celsius), a sign that climate change could impact next year's World Cup. However, four of the stadiums for next year's tournament have roofs and climate control. Mbappe's been a no show Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, among soccer's top stars, didn't play a minute of the group stage, having been hospitalized and treated for acute gastroenteritis. He drew attention this week when the Paris prosecutor's office said he filed a moral harassment case against PSG, his former club. 'I don't want to be optimistic and get ahead of myself, but we need him because he's a top player, one of the best in the world. We hope he's back soon,' Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Thursday. Advertisement Messi back on the world stage Messi, the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner who turned 38 on Tuesday, has helped Miami reach the knockout phase with moments of brilliance. He hit the goal frame twice in the opening draw against Al Ahly, then scored his 68th free kick goal for club and country in the 2-1 win over Porto. Next up is the game against PSG, Messi's team from 2021-23. Brilliant Brazil All four entrants from Brazil have advanced to the round of 16, with Botafogo beating PSG 1-0 in a matchup of current European and South American champions. Flamengo, Palmeiras and Fluminense are also through to the next stage. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Atletico Madrid reach deal for €50m star signing
Atletico Madrid and Villarreal have reportedly reached an agreement for midfielder Alex Baena, after several weeks of negotiations. Although none have been made official yet, Baena is set to become their third major addition this summer after Matteo Ruggeri and Johnny Cardoso. Cardoso will set Atletico back in excess of €30m, while Ruggeri's deal could rise to €20m. Including Baena's deal, Atletico's spend could push over €100m for the second summer in a row. The deal was first reported by David Medina, but Fabrizio Romano has give further details, stating that the deal will be worth €45m plus €5m in variables. Los Colchoneros' guaranteed spend is a minimum of €93m in fixed fees. Atletico Madrid moving quickly for priorities On Wednesday night, Villarreal all but confirmed that Baena would be heading to Atletico Madrid, and backed Diego Simeone to get the best out of him. The clubs still have to resolve some details, such as a payment schedule, but the move has now been agreed upon by both clubs and the player. Los Rojiblancos agreed a contract with Baena several weeks ago, with the 23-year-old giving the green light to a move. It is thought that Baena was keen to make the switch to the Metropolitano, and despite having a €55m release clause, Villarreal were willing to work with Baena after he turned down a move to Saudi Arabia in January. Image via X / Sport One of La Liga's best creators Baena comes with a proven track record of providing goals for his teammates, and he should significantly improve the service for the likes of Alexander Sorloth and Julian Alvarez. The former had his best season in Spain with Baena two years ago, and over the last two seasons, Baena has 28 assists and 12 goals. He usually operates off the left side of midfield, a position that has had no clear owner this season, with Conor Gallagher and Samuel Lino sharing game time there.
