The Club World Cup 2025 should be a blockbuster, but fans aren’t biting. With 32 clubs lined up, the crowd should be buzzing, but ticket sales say otherwise.
FIFA set the stage in the U.S., hoping for a packed stadium. But early signs show fans are staying unbothered. The buzz isn’t building.
Ticket prices look like a red card to fans. Shelling out $40 to $100 for low-profile matchups feels steep when the big stars haven’t even kicked a ball yet.
Games like Auckland City vs. Al Ahly don’t spark the same energy as a Real Madrid face-off. Supporters aren’t ready to splash cash for unknowns.
It’s not just price—it’s what fans are getting. Without household names on the team sheet, casual fans don’t feel the urge to show up.
Fans want drama, rivalries, and moments worth remembering. Early fixtures offer none of that. There’s no Champions League-style pull here.
Marketing also failed to hit the target. FIFA opened sales too late. Two months to go and still no hype? That’s a missed sitter.
Big events need big buildup. You can’t expect full stands without building the atmosphere. FIFA didn’t rally the fans early enough to keep them onside.
Most fans didn’t even know tickets dropped. The promotion looked like a back-pass—safe, dull, and going nowhere fast.
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Then there’s the U.S. crowd. Football’s growing, yes, but not enough to carry a global event with unfamiliar teams. Americans still pick NFL over Napoli.
The Club World Cup feels like a preseason friendly to some U.S. fans. They’re not sold on the format or why it matters.
Many fans don’t understand what’s at stake. Is it glory, money, or just another trophy in the cabinet? Nobody’s quite sure.
The fixture calendar also cramps the play. Summer 2025 looks packed—qualifiers, tours, rest time. Fans and players may sit this one out.
Tired legs lead to flat performances. Without stars firing on all cylinders, the show won’t deliver.
And fans abroad face their own hurdles. Visa stress, travel costs, and no guarantee their teams go far—it’s a tough sell.
Supporters from Africa and the Middle East can’t commit without knowing it’s worth the trip. No big matchups, no clear draw.
Politics also plays a part. Some countries face entry restrictions, making the tournament less global than promised.
To top it all off, the Club World Cup still feels like a side quest, not the main game. It’s missing identity and weight.
Fans back Champions League nights because they matter. This one? Still finding its place on the pitch.
Even with 32 teams, the tournament feels like it’s still warming up. Without changes, it may not even get out of the group stage.
For FIFA to score big, it needs a game plan—better marketing, fairer pricing, clearer stakes. Or this tournament risks an early exit.
