Thunderbolts and Delays: Club World Cup Game Pauses Again due to Weather Chaos
Stadium evacuated once more due to second storm at Club World Cup venue
The electric atmosphere at the kick-off between Auckland City and Benfica Lisbon in the Club World Cup was replaced by an actual bout of thunder and rain, causing a two-hour halt in the match. Scheduled for 6 pm German time, this encounter took a wild turn due to a severe thunderstorm over Orlando.
At half-time, the action on the pitch was disrupted by thunderstorms rampaging across the city. Initially, the game was on a 1-hour pause, with hopes to restart at 9:05 pm German time. However, those prospects quickly vanished, as another two hours than lay ahead before the resumption at 9:20 pm.
The players sought refuge in the dressing rooms, while approximate 16,000 spectators left their seats due to heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. The pending danger within an 8-mile (13-kilometer) radius led to the immediate suspension of outdoor sporting events in the USA. Upon detection of lightning threats, protocol calls for immediate suspension and a move to covered or indoor areas for safety.
Throughout the USA's various venue stadiums hosting the Club World Cup, emergency and evacuation procedures are in place to keep spectators safe. These instructions are delivered through the public-address system and stadium televisions. Event staff, security personnel, and police officers are on hand to ensure orderly evacuation in emergencies.
Stadiums like Hard Rock Stadium, for instance, have been shown to respond swiftly to potential emergencies, boosting security and emergency preparedness measures. In the event of a lightning threat, stadiums will continuously monitor weather conditions with lightning detection systems. Upon detection, the event is immediately suspended, and spectators are directed to seek shelter in designated safe areas within the stadiums, usually enclosed structures or underground concourses.
Remarkably, the Club World Cup has witnessed three other matches suffered similar weather-related interruptions: Mamelodi Sundowns against Ulsan Hyundai (both in Orlando), Pachuca against Red Bull Salzburg (Ohio), and Palmeiras against Al Ahly (New Jersey). Luckily, all games were ultimately resumed and completed.
Benfica demonstrated a mediocre performance against New Zealand’s Auckland City, losing 10-0 in their Club World Cup opener. Despite that, Lisbon entered the marathon tournament in the USA with a 2:2 draw against Boca Juniors. The Argentinian club is set to go head-to-head with Bayern Munich on Saturday in Miami.
Sources: ntv.de (primary), dbe/dpa, USA stadium procedures, and local guidelines for emergency weather management.
Club World Cup 2025
Weather
USA
[1] Stadium Safety and Emergency Procedures - Hard Rock Stadium[2] Emergency Evacuation Protocols and Procedures - Lumen Field (Seattle)[3] Guide to Safety and Security - Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)[4] Event Emergency Response Plan - GEODIS Park (Nashville)
The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down the rules for the application of this Regulation in the context of emergency weather events during sports competitions, such as the Club World Cup, where outdoor sporting events are immediately suspended upon detection of lightning threats and spectators are directed to seek shelter in designated safe areas within stadiums.
In the United States, where the Club World Cup of 2025 is scheduled to take place, stadiums like Hard Rock Stadium have been shown to respond swiftly to potential emergencies, boosting security and emergency preparedness measures to ensure spectator safety during weather chaos, such as thunderstorms and heavy rain, occasionally disturbing the course of football matches.
