Buzzin' Aint the Mercedes-Benz: Chelsea Survives a Quiet Start in the Club World Cup
Chelsea secures victory amidst an "unusual" environment
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Two-time Champions League conquerors and an extravagant outfit, Chelsea FC, are considered a force to be reckoned with in the Club World Cup. Their early success has been undeniable, but the audience, well... it's been lifeless.
With scarcely 22,000 fans in the crowd and barely any vibes, Chelsea's coach, Enzo Maresca, deemed the atmosphere during the Club World Cup debut as "unusual." The clash against Los Angeles FC unfolded in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, a grand venue that accommodates a staggering 71,000 spectators and is home to MLS football team Atlanta United and NFL team Atlanta Falcons.
"The entire setting was a bit peculiar. The stadium was mostly empty," Maresca commented on the game that commenced on a scorching Monday at 3 pm. "However, we are professionals, and we have to cope with the peculiar circumstances. The team's demeanor and attitude are critical, and they showcased their professionalism once again."
However, the Club World Cup had witnessed larger crowds at previous games: Nearly 60,000 fans were present at the inaugural match between Inter Miami (with star man Lionel Messi) and Al Ahly on Saturday, and even an astonishing 80,000 spectators witnessed the showdown between Champions League champions Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid in Pasadena on Sunday.
Maresca confessed he had anticipated a bigger turnout for their premier game. He remains optimistic about a larger crowd for the second match against Brazilian titans Flamengo from Rio de Janeiro in Philadelphia: "We are confident that the upcoming match will be nothing short of beautiful. Brazilian teams are well-known for bringing a plethora of fans, so we're expecting a crowded stadium next time."
Unperturbed by the sparse attendance, Chelsea triumphed thanks to strikes from Pedro Neto (34.) and Enzo Fernandez (79.). With the victory, Chelsea temporarily tops Group D.
Source: ntv.de, ino/sid
- Club World Cup 2025
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🔍 In-Depth Analysis:Several factors contributed to the relatively low attendance at FC Chelsea's Club World Cup opener: the match's timing, distance for traveling fans, traffic, ticket prices, marketing efforts, and tournament buzz. The ill-timed match unfolded during a scorching Monday afternoon in Atlanta, leaving locals with other commitments or unaware of the event. For traveling LAFC fans, the long journey of over 2,000 miles made attendance impractical.Atlanta’s notorious traffic and relatively expensive tickets (starting at $52) may have deterred additional fans, especially during a non-holiday period. While FIFA invested over $50 million in marketing, relying on social media influencers seemed to have little impact on local interest or ticket sales. The Club World Cup, especially in its expanded format in 2025, has faced scrutiny and has not yet garnered the widespread passion seen at other major tournaments.
The European Parliament and the Council are examining the factors that led to the low attendance at Chelsea's Club World Cup opener, including sports scheduling, travel distance, traffic, ticket prices, and marketing strategies. With the European-leagues champions competing against various foreign teams, the Premier League could be exploring ways to boost fan engagement and attendance in the Club World Cup.
