By Federico Calabrese
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Index
We’re just days away from the end of the Club World Cup, the new competition introduced by the highest authorities in world football. Despite the presence of many of the world’s top clubs, the tournament has often been played in front of empty stands. Especially in the early stages, Gianni Infantino even introduced discounts (for students) in an attempt to boost attendance and create a more impressive crowd atmosphere. But so far, what has the turnout actually looked like?
Inter at the Club World Cup: a partial flop in the stands
Let’s start with Inter. Christian Chivu’s side, eliminated in the Round of 16 by Fluminense, never played in the local evening time slots and only played once on a weekend. The Nerazzurri’s matches averaged around 32,000 spectators.
In detail:
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The opening match against Monterrey saw approximately 40,310 fans in attendance, in a stadium with a capacity of around 89,000.
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The match against Urawa Red Diamonds had only 25,000 spectators, despite a stadium that could hold 68,000.
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The game against River Plate, held in Seattle, was the most attended, drawing around 45,000 fans in a stadium with a capacity of 65,000.
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Lastly, only 20,000 spectators attended the Round of 16 match against Fluminense.
Juventus at the Club World Cup: City and Real boosted numbers
Slightly better attendance figures for Juventus, largely thanks to high-profile matches against Manchester City and Real Madrid.
Here’s the breakdown:
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The opening match against Al Ain drew around 18,000 fans in a venue that could seat 20,000.
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The match against Wydad was attended by about 30,000 people, while the stadium could accommodate 70,000.
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The clash against Manchester City drew around 55,000 fans, just 10,000 short of the 65,000 capacity.
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The Round of 16 against Real Madrid attracted 62,000 spectators, nearly filling the 65,000-seat venue.
Attendance varied significantly, clearly influenced by the match schedule and the opponents.
So far, the most attended match of the tournament has been PSG vs. Atletico Madrid, with approximately 80,000 spectators, followed by Bayern Munich vs. Boca Juniors, which drew around 65,000. For final overall attendance data, we’ll need to wait for the tournament to conclude. One thing is certain: Infantino can only be partially satisfied.
By Federico Calabrese
