Crowded Stadium, Security Deployed: Miami Hosts Club World Cup, Incident-Free Thus Far

Contemporary clash between Inter Miami and Al Ahly sees a scoreless impasse transpire within a mighty stadium reminiscent of a fortress, serving as an early rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup.

, and ASMedia

2025 June 16 . 4:02 PM

2 min read

In a formidable arena reminiscent of a fortress, Inter Miami and Al Ahly of Egypt played out a... — In a formidable arena reminiscent of a fortress, Inter Miami and Al Ahly of Egypt played out a scoreless contest on Saturday, marking the beginning of a preparatory tournament speculated to serve as a warm-up for the 2026 World Cup in Florida.

Crowded Stadium, Security Deployed: Miami Hosts Club World Cup, Incident-Free Thus Far

In a surprising twist, FIFA's new-look Club World Cup kicked off with a breath of fresh air. The President of FIFA, Gianni Infantino, might've let out a sigh of relief as the expanded competition began without a hitch on June 14. The opening match between Lionel Messi's Inter Miami and Egyptian club Al Ahly, despite not being a spectacle on the pitch, marked a strategic victory off it.

The Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, typically able to accommodate 65,000 football fanatics, was almost full, with an attendance of 60,927, according to organizers. This unexpected figure was a welcome surprise, considering that many tickets were still on the market in the days leading up to the game.

It appears that FIFA's last-minute ticket selling strategy played a crucial role in filling the stadium. Initially, tickets for the opening match were priced at a hefty €349 following the draw in December. However, as the event approached, prices dropped significantly. By the following month, tickets were available for €230. As the demand remained lackluster, prices continued to tumble, eventually reaching around €110. In the end, fans could score a seat for as low as €55, a drastic decrease from the initial price.

This steep price reduction can be attributed to the minimal interest and poor sales initially shown towards the Club World Cup. Despite Inter Miami's strong attendance records in the MLS, particularly since Messi joined the team, the appeal for the Club World Cup seemed more aligned with European powerhouse teams like Real Madrid. Consequently, FIFA opted for an adaptive pricing model to adjust prices based on demand, filling the large stadium and attracting more fans to the event.

Interested fans flocked to the Club World Cup with the lower prices, fueling a renewed interest in the tournament. Perhaps next season, other European leagues such as the Premier League might see increased attendance due to similar strategies.