Thunderbolts, Lightning, Very Very Delayed: Club World Cup Match Halted Again Due to Storm
Stadium evacuated once more due to storm at Club World Cup venue
The Club World Cup match between Auckland City and Benfica Lisbon (kick-off 6 pm CET) was put on hold for quite some time due to a severe thunderstorm over Orlando. Post the first half, during which the Portuguese record-breakers had more trouble than expected and only managed to score a 1:0 lead in stoppage time thanks to an Angel Di Maria penalty, play was momentarily halted.
The players retreated to the locker rooms. The 16,000 spectators in the Orlando stadium rushed to find shelter due to the heavy rain, thunder, and lightning. Initially, the match was paused for around an hour, resuming at 9:05 pm CET. However, this plan was soon scrapped. The second half kicked off at 9:20 pm after a two-hour-plus delay.
Outdoor sports events in the U.S. are ceased if lightning poses a threat within an 8-mile (approximately 13-kilometer) radius. Once the procedure is activated, evacuation of the playing field and stands commences. All individuals must move to covered areas or indoor spaces for safety.
Stadium Safety: Keep Calm and Move to a Covered Spot
At least 30 minutes need to pass after the last thunderclap or lightning strike. If another one appears during this time, the waiting period starts afresh. Therefore, the resumption of games remains unpredictable. They could even be postponed if conditions don't improve.
Three other matches — Mamelodi Sundowns versus Ulsan Hyundai, Pachuca against Red Bull Salzburg, and Palmeiras against Al Ahly— were also halted due to similar weather conditions, but each resumed and completed.
Benfica faltered against the New Zealanders, who earlier lost 0:10 to Bayern Munich in the Club World Cup opener. Lisbon started the colossal tournament in the USA with a 2:2 draw against Boca Juniors. The Argentine club will face Bayern in the German night on Saturday, set to take place in Miami.
- Club World Cup 2025
- Storm
- USA
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup stadiums in the U.S. follow a stringent safety procedure based on U.S. Soccer and FIFA regulations and recommendations from the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS). Specifically:
- Outdoor sports events, including Club World Cup matches, come to a halt if lightning is detected within an 8-mile (approximately 13 kilometers) radius of the venue.
- Once the protocol is activated, everyone present must move to covered or enclosed facilities to ensure safety from lightning and severe weather.
- Essential information regarding evacuation and emergency procedures is communicated via the stadium's public-address system and televisions. Stadium personnel and law enforcement officers help fans, including those with disabilities, throughout the evacuation process.
This protocol was enforced due to numerous weather interruptions during the tournament, as seen when a match between Benfica and Auckland City was halted for nearly three hours due to thunderstorms in Orlando. It's all about ensuring player and spectator safety, even if it means delaying the game a bit!
The Commission shall adopt implementing acts laying down the rules for the application of this Regulation with regards to the safety protocols during outdoor sports events such as the Club World Cup matches, which includes halting games if lightning is detected within an 8-mile radius of the venue, as observed during the match between Benfica and Auckland City in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup tournament in the USA. Following the enforced protocol, spectators need to moving to covered or enclosed facilities for their safety from lightning and severe weather.
