Stormy Showdown: Club World Cup Matches Falter Due to Frequent Lightning Strikes
Stadium evacuated once more due to approaching storm at the Club World Cup venue
Catch the latest on the Club World Cup as the game between Auckland City and Bayern Munich's opening opponents, Benfica Lisbon, faces yet another delay due to a severe thunderstorm in Orlando. After the first half, the spectators witnessed a dramatic exit from their seats and the players a hasty retreat to the dressing rooms.
Orlando was drenched in heavy rain, thunder, and lightning, causing the suspenseful match to grind to a halt for over an hour. Initially, there was a projected resumption at 9:05 pm German time, but soon enough, the plan crumbled, and the restart time remains uncertain.
Stormy situations in any outdoor sporting events in the USA entail immediate suspension if lightning poses a threat within an 8-mile radius. With the protocol in motion, the playing field and stands get evacuated, ensuring everyone moves swiftly to safe, covered areas or indoor spaces.
The entertainment ecosystem of Club World Cup is plagued with at least 4 instances of storm disruptions: Mamelodi Sundowns against Ulsan Hyundai, Pachuca against Red Bull Salzburg, and Palmeiras against Al Ahly. Despite these disruptions, all matches eventually completed without any major incidents.
Benfica found little resistance from Auckland City, the semi-professional New Zealanders, who faced a humbling 0:10 loss against Bayern Munich in the opening match of the Club World Cup. Lisbon began the marathon tournament with a 2:2 draw against Boca Juniors. Their upcoming match against Bayern takes place in Miami on the following Saturday night.
The Club World Cup's lightning evacuation protocol follows stringent safety measures primarily suggesting by FIFA and the National Weather Service (NWS) recommendations:
- Suspension and Detection: Any lightning within a 10-mile radius results in an automatic match suspension. The match director immediately communicates with the referee to cease play.
- Evacuation of Players and Fans: Players retreat to shelter in tunnels or service corridors within the stadium while fans vacate the stands and move to enclosed indoor spaces.
- Waiting Period: A mandatory 30-minute waiting period kicks off after the last lightning signal. Another lightning detection during this interval resets the countdown, making the resumption time unpredictable.
- Safety Messaging and Staff Guidance: Stadium staff provide clear communication to everybody, ensuring calm and orderly movement to safe locations.
- Safety Procedures in the US: Around 75% of lightning-related deaths in the US occur between June and August, making lightning a critical concern during summer tournaments. The NWS's motto “When thunder roars, go indoors!” forms the backbone of these safety protocols.
Source: ntv.de, dbe/dpa
- Club World Cup 2025
- Storm
- USA
- The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down the rules for the application of this Regulation, ensuring that all sports events in the USA, including the Club World Cup, have strict lightning safety protocols in place to protect players and spectators, such as the one recently observed in Orlando.
- In light of frequent lightning strikes and the associated risks during summer tournaments in the USA, it is crucial for the Club World Cup organizers to prioritize the implementation of the strict safety protocols outlined by FIFA and the National Weather Service (NWS), as the well-being of all participants is paramount.
