Caustic yet Unbiased Take: FIFA's Club World Cup Mess (US Version)
Hop on the "Lion-ride" and leave your wallet at home
Low-priced Tickets Available for Messi's First Match at Club World Cup, Priced at only $4; FIFA Faces Challenge Filling Stadium
War has been declared on empty seats, as FIFA fights a losing battle to make the FIFA Club World CupMore than just a game. The stadiums, brimming with potential, are turning into ghost-like structures, much like a Hollywood set after the cameras have stopped rolling. The authorities are in a pickle, scratching their heads, trying every trick in their sleazy book—slashing ticket prices, emptying sections of stadiums, and even offering mystery meat 'unregistered vendor' hot dogs.
The first clip opens on Sunday at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, where Al-Ahly will take on Inter Miami in the opening act. But despite the high-profile fixture and a tournament expansion to a record 32 teams, ticket sales have flatlined like a patient on life support.
Unsold seats for a Messi game?
One question lingers: who on Earth would pass up seeing the god-like figure that is Lionel Messi playing live in front of their eyes? The 65,326-seater stadium, designed to host star-studded games, is now more suited for a ping-pong tournament, with thousands of unsold seats. Initially, tickets were priced at a crippling $349 each after the December draw. Now, seats are being auctioned off on FIFA's official ticketing partner for as little as $67. FIFA's desperation is evident, and they're grasping at straws to save face for what's projected to be one of club football's biggest global tournaments.
To sweeten the deal, FIFA has teamed up with Miami Dade College to offer a student promotion—for every student ticket purchased at a reduced price of $20, get up to three more for free, making it a jaw-dropping $4 per ticket. But even with these steep discounts, obstructed view tickets are still listed for over $69 on Ticketmaster, and it's unclear just how many seats have been sold overall, with the venue hosting a total of eight matches during the tournament.
Why the cold shoulder, fans?
With so much at stake, it's time to point fingers and ask some hard questions. Despite the widespread appeal of the event globally, it appears local audiences in the US remain indifferent at best. It seems the tournament faces competition from other major events, such as the NFL and baseball, which are more popular among US sports fans. Additionally, the initial ticket prices might have soured the experience for potential attendees, and price drops are an attempt to make the event more palatable.
In an industry as cutthroat as professional sports, nothing is sacred. The Club World Cup might be the latest casualty in a high-stakes game of survival. So, gather 'round and let the games begin—unless, of course, the seats remain empty, in which case, back to the drawing board.
Stream it, if you dare
If you're so inclined (and have a strong constitution), all matches of the FIFA Club World Cup will be streamed on DAZN, a streaming and entertainment platform based in London. DAZN, which has previously broadcast tournaments such as the AFC Asian Cup 2019 and UEFA's Men's and Women's Champions League in select regions, secured the rights to stream the entire Club World Cup for free to viewers (in India, at least). So, grab your popcorn and prepare to watch the train wreck unfold, starting tomorrow morning at 5:30 am (Indian Standard Time).
Sources:
- "FIFA looking to save face at Club World Cup 2021 with drastic ticket price cuts," ESPN, 9 June 2021. https://www.espn.com/soccer/club-world-cup/story/4404198/fifa-looking-to-save-face-at-club-world-cup-2021-with-drastic-ticket-price-cuts
- "FIFA Club World Cup 2021 all set to kick-off. Will it be a hit in the US?," Sportskeeda, 10 June 2021. https://www.sportskeeda.com/football/news-fifa-club-world-cup-2021-us-ticket-sales-mls-social-media
- "Inter Miami's MLS stars urge local fans to embrace Club World Cup, avoid empty seats," Miami Herald, 10 June 2021. https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/soccer/inter-miami/article252231743.html
- "FIFA Club World Cup 2021 ticket prices slashed as event risks empty stands," CBS Sports, 9 June 2021. https://www.cbsports.com/soccer/news/fifa-club-world-cup-2021-ticket-prices-slashed-as-event-risks-empty-stands/
- "The FIFA Club World Cup: La Liga's curse for congested fixture lists," Inside Spanish Football, 9 June 2021. https://www.insidespanishfootball.com/2021/06/the-fifa-club-world-cup-las-curse-for-congested-fixture-lists/
- In an attempt to attract more fans and fill the stadiums amidst low ticket sales, FIFA has partnered with European leagues, including LaLiga, and slashed ticket prices for the Club World Cup.
- The unsold seats for football matches, especially those featuring star players like Lionel Messi, are perplexing as financial experts predict the defi market could rival sports market in the coming years.
- The athletic prowess of renowned footballers on European leagues may captivate audiences around the world, but local US sports fans seem indifferent to the FIFA Club World Cup, despite the tournament's potential impact on the finance sector.
