Ghost Stadium: Chelsea's World Cup Debut Draws Shockingly Empty Stands

Chelsea began their inaugural match of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup with a startling sight: a stadium largely devoid of spectators.

The Premier League giants faced off against MLS contenders LAFC at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Despite the venue's impressive 71,000-seat capacity, the kickoff was witnessed by only a sparse crowd scattered throughout the arena.

Notably, photographs reveal the stadium's entire upper tier completely vacant. While FIFA has not disclosed official attendance figures for the fixture, the visibly low turnout is undeniable.

This apparent lack of enthusiasm for the match in the United States serves as a concerning indicator for FIFA. If a high-profile contest between a major Premier League team and a local American club fails to attract spectators, the outlook for attendance at matches between lesser-known teams in the group stage appears particularly bleak.

The timing of matches compounds the problem; numerous FIFA Club World Cup games are scheduled for weekday afternoons when most potential attendees are at their workplaces.

The disappointing turnout at Mercedes-Benz Stadium follows FIFA's decision to significantly reduce ticket prices for the tournament's opening match between Inter Miami and Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium. FIFA even established a partnership with Miami Dade College, offering students discounted tickets to see Lionel Messi perform.

These developments raise serious concerns ahead of next year's FIFA World Cup, which will primarily be hosted across the United States. Mercedes-Benz Stadium itself is scheduled to host eight matches during football's premier international tournament.