Chelsea FC faced off against Los Angeles FC in the group stage of the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on June 16, 2025. The match ended with Chelsea securing a 2-0 victory. However, the game was overshadowed by the noticeably low attendance, which drew only 22,197 fans in a stadium that can hold up to 70,000.
Chelsea’s head coach, Enzo Maresca, commented on the sparse crowd, noting that the environment felt strange due to the empty seats. While attendance had been a topic of discussion leading up to the tournament, early matches had generally seen better turnouts. This match marked the smallest crowd of the tournament so far.
Several factors may have influenced the low turnout. Ticket prices ranged from $83 to $228, with secondary market prices not dropping below $65 by kickoff. Additionally, the match started at 3 p.m., which may have deterred some fans from attending. To encourage attendance, fans in the upper levels were invited to move down to the lower bowl for a better experience.
Despite the low numbers, Chelsea defender Levi Colwill mentioned that the team didn’t feel the impact of the empty seats. He expressed optimism about the tournament’s future, highlighting that fans would likely be drawn in by the presence of top teams.
Looking ahead, Maresca anticipated a larger crowd for Chelsea’s next match against Brazilian club Flamengo at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. He noted that Brazilian teams typically bring a strong fan presence, which could help boost attendance.
FIFA has faced challenges with attendance at this tournament. While some matches, like those featuring Inter Miami and PSG, attracted over 60,000 and 80,000 fans respectively, others have struggled. For instance, a recent match between Palmeiras and Porto in New Jersey saw more than 46,000 fans, much to the delight of local officials.
Concerns about attendance grew as the tournament approached, with ticket sales lagging and prices dropping. FIFA had previously expressed hopes for strong crowds and lively atmospheres during this inaugural event, but the reality has shown mixed results so far.