Ticket sales slump as Chelsea play to half-empty Atlanta stadium

Chelsea's FIFA Club World Cup debut against Los Angeles FC drew sparse crowds at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, with only 22,137 spectators attending the 3pm Monday kickoff in the 71,000-capacity venue.

The match, which saw Chelsea secure a 2-0 victory, presented a peculiar atmosphere as the stadium remained largely empty. Manager Enzo Maresca acknowledged the unusual environment, stating: "We have to adapt whether the stadium is full or not - that's part of being professional."

Ticket Sales and Attendance Concerns

• Cheapest tickets dropped to £26 during the match
• Initial prices started at £37 before kickoff
• FIFA expected 26,000 attendees - falling short by nearly 4,000
• Only the middle tier appeared moderately filled

The attendance challenges highlight broader questions about fan interest in FIFA's revamped tournament format. With LAFC traveling over 2,000 miles as late replacements for disqualified Leon, their 150 ultras surprisingly outshone Chelsea's larger fan contingent in creating atmosphere.

World Cup Preparations Under Scrutiny

This expanded Club World Cup serves as a test run for the 2026 World Cup across North America. However, the weekday scheduling presents ongoing challenges:

• Multiple group stage matches scheduled during work hours
• Next games set for noon, 2pm and 3pm local time
• Tournament continues through June 26

The stark contrast to Chelsea's 2022 visit - when they nearly sold out the same stadium for a Premier League Summer Series friendly against Newcastle - raises questions about tournament appeal. Atlanta United, the stadium's primary MLS tenant, regularly draws over 44,000 fans per match.