Atlanta’s inaugural Club World Cup match featured a disappointingly small turnout, with only 22,137 fans attending the game at the 71,000-seat Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The atmosphere felt reminiscent of a first-round NCAA Tournament game, where an underdog holds its own against a superior opponent before succumbing to the inevitable outcome.
“It’s weird, honestly — not winning but still being proud of the whole group and putting up a good fight,” remarked LAFC midfielder Mark Delgado. He expressed gratitude for the team’s efforts, noting their ability to generate momentum and create chances, particularly in the second half.
Unfortunately, the match, part of a 32-team tournament with some of the world’s best clubs, struggled with attendance largely due to FIFA’s aggressive ticket pricing strategy. The upper levels of the stadium were closed off, marking the lowest turnout for a soccer game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium outside of pandemic restrictions, according to fellow journalist Doug Roberson.
Much of the turnout can be attributed to the timing; the game took place on a Monday afternoon at 3 p.m. and featured teams with no local connection. The ticket price, starting around $50, further limited attendance.
FIFA implemented dynamic pricing for the tickets, which prevented potential fans from purchasing at more reasonable rates. This approach contradicts the organization’s stated goal of expanding soccer’s reach and popularity in the United States.
The experience bore no reflection on Atlanta’s capacity as a soccer market, having recently hosted a Chelsea exhibition match attended by over 70,000 fans, thanks to a favorable schedule and more accessible ticket prices.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino had promised “an unforgettable spectacle,” yet many empty seats put a damper on the event. Those present were nonetheless treated to impressive displays, including the talents of Chelsea striker Cole Palmer. LAFC, despite not being the league’s top team, kept Chelsea on their toes, only conceding the second goal in the 79th minute from Enzo Fernandez, resulting in a 2-0 final score.
Delgado reflected on their performance, stating, “We were just very unlucky. But overall, proud of the effort.” The significant disparity in team resources—Chelsea’s transfer-market value estimated at $1.2 billion compared to LAFC’s $53 million—suggested a draw would have been remarkable.
The betting odds hinted at this challenge, with LAFC listed at +1,100, translating to an 8% chance of victory. Ultimately, Chelsea capitalized on their chances, aligning with expectations in such matchups.
“It’s a high level against a quality team who, if you give them a moment, they’ll punish you,” Delgado noted.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium is set to host two additional group-stage matches and three knockout rounds in the tournament. While Atlanta’s soccer passion is widely recognized, FIFA may need to reconsider its engagement with fans going forward.