The Club World Cup, which kicks off this Saturday, June 14, with the opening match between Lionel Messi‘s Inter Miami and Egypt’s Al Ahly at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium, is not achieving the expected ticket sales. Despite the excitement generated by the tournament’s new expanded format, sales figures for the past week have been well below FIFA’s projections.
According to Marca, tickets for the aforementioned opening match, which originally cost €306 ($349), have been reduced to €50 ($55), representing an 84% reduction. In addition, premium tickets, which previously cost €725, are now available for €260, while others priced at €525 have been reduced to €125.
As for the most attractive teams, Real Madrid and Boca Juniors stand out as the ones that generate the most interest among fans, especially in the United States. Boca’s matches against Benfica and Bayern, as well as Real Madrid’s matches against Al Hilal and Salzburg, are among the most sought-after in the tournament.
“It’s a historic moment”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has acknowledged this obstacle but remains optimistic. During an event at FIFA headquarters in Miami, he encouraged fans to take advantage of the opportunity to see 32 of the world’s best club teams in action. “It’s a historic moment, and people should take this opportunity to be part of history,” he said.
Infantino also noted that although initial sales have not met expectations, “global interest in the tournament is high,” with billions of people watching the matches from their homes and millions of fans in the United States having the opportunity to attend in person.
Target of $2 billion in revenue
The Club World Cup aims to generate $2 billion in revenue, of which $1 billion has already been secured thanks to an agreement with DAZN to broadcast all 63 matches for free. Another $500 million will come from marketing rights, while the rest is expected to come from ticket and box sales.
The tournament will be held in 11 cities across the United States, including Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New Jersey, and Seattle, among others. The final is scheduled for July 13 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Additionally, FIFA has announced that each host city will receive $1 million to support community projects related to soccer.
