According to The Athletic, tickets for the FIFA Club World Cup semi-final between Chelsea and Fluminense, originally priced at $473.90, were slashed to just $13.40 three days before kickoff.
This drastic price cut is FIFA’s latest attempt to boost attendance at the expanded Club World Cup, with president Gianni Infantino determined to prove the tournament’s viability to clubs, broadcasters, and sponsors. Remarkably, the cut-price ticket was even cheaper than a cheesesteak ($15) or a beer ($14) at MetLife Stadium, where the match will be held. Premium lower-tier seats were also reduced to $44.60.
The Athletic reported evidence suggesting FIFA emailed volunteers last week offering up to four free tickets to all quarter-finals except Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund. Though welcomed by many volunteers, this move raised eyebrows as they were initially told during training they would not receive free tickets. Volunteers were also asked not to wear uniforms when attending, ostensibly to avoid confusing paying fans—though some speculate it was to make the stands appear more full with “regular” spectators. FIFA declined to comment on this.
The tournament’s ticket sales are handled via Ticketmaster, with FIFA employing a dynamic pricing system that has seen prices fluctuate sharply, usually downwards. For example, tickets for Chelsea vs Fluminense were:
• $473.90 on Wednesday
• Dropped to $44.60 by Friday noon
• Reduced further to $27.90 on Saturday morning
• And bottomed out at $13.40 by Saturday afternoon
This means fans who waited paid just 2.8% of the price others had paid three days earlier. FIFA has not addressed whether early buyers will receive refunds or compensation.
Both semi-finals are set for MetLife Stadium. The second semi-final—featuring PSG vs either Real Madrid or Dortmund—saw similar swings. Its standard ticket price was $978 on Wednesday, fell to $199.60 by Saturday noon, then briefly spiked to $266.60 after PSG beat Bayern, before dropping again.
The steep reductions suggest FIFA overestimated demand for the expanded competition. While group stage matches averaged over 35,000 attendees, some fixtures had large sections of empty seats. Quarter-finals tickets were also heavily discounted—some to as low as $11—with PSG vs Bayern’s prices reduced to $44. That match drew 66,937 fans, filling 89% of the venue. Chelsea vs Palmeiras reached 95% capacity, while Fluminense’s win over Al Hilal had 66% attendance.
Even before the tournament began, FIFA reportedly feared poor turnout. The Athletic noted FIFA spent over $50 million on marketing, including social media campaigns and influencer partnerships. To fill seats for Inter Miami’s opening match against Al Ahly, FIFA offered students from a partner university tickets for $20 each and up to four additional free tickets per person.
Inter Miami’s ticket prices fell from a high of $349 post-draw in December to $230 in January, then halved to $55 a week before kickoff.
FIFA confirmed plans to continue dynamic pricing for next year’s World Cup in the US, Canada, and Mexico. In response to The Athletic, FIFA said:
“Volunteers are an integral part of every FIFA tournament’s success. Where possible, inviting them to matches as a gesture of appreciation is common practice. We are proud of the 8,000 volunteers supporting the first expanded Club World Cup.”
“As previously stated, public ticket sales for this tournament have used dynamic pricing since opening in late 2024, adjusting prices based on demand and availability in line with local market practices and regulations.”
Immaculate003
0
By now I am sure FIFA is regretting staging this CWC in the United States of America.
Vumbcelost
0
wee Madrid to the final
kewkloptuy
0
bring the tournament in Africa, we are lazy we don't want to woke but sit watching soccer and betting. we shall turn up in numbers
Do you have infrastructure to arrange
maekmnz
1
it's only real Madrid, which is pulling crowds
HBKdll
5
hosting football in USA is insult to the game.
watempsyz
2
they should not host any FIFA tournament in this Country ever ...
Mapacmnouy
0
It was nasty and horrible.. Hope Rodrigo will not be sold now... otherwise they will have a deficit for the time this boy is out
boycenoru
0
boycenoru
0
hzj
boycenoru
0
k
songsohia
4
I lived close enough to go to many games but couldn’t afford it and by the time prices dropped I had other things happening. Disappointing
Feoamoprz
1
thanks
Ciuadiknsu
0
Again these people want to take the tournament in America next time?? let it go to Europe those people love football unlike those Americans.
Actually the weather, time all are not conducive for both prayers supporters in different countries. We want football that we can also watch on our tvs in the evening not in the morning.
gudiest01
4
and they still want to host world cup in this country
Timdeloz
2
bring the tournament in Africa, we are lazy we don't want to woke but sit watching soccer and betting. we shall turn up in numbers
Hecdkst
1
what do you expect from an American who believes Super bowl is more famous than the World Cup and Taylor Swift is more famous than Mbappe 😁😁😂😂 i don't mention Ronaldo.. because the world knows 😊
Sapaemoyz
0
Hala Madrid all the way
Jocbdiory
1
This whole tournament and every matches feel like friendly and yeah very boring I don't feel I'm watching football match. crowd like dead no chant no noise. America is really not good for football matches.
Hecdkst
0
hahaha in America...so what do you expect? 😁
Sazbcdestu
0
Only thing i like about this CWC is their officiating no regging a favoritism
Jocbdiory
0
Again these people want to take the tournament in America next time?? let it go to Europe those people love football unlike those Americans.
absolutely right this tournament is very boring I don't feel I'm watching football match and crowd like dead no chant no noise for me this tournament and every matches feel like friendly
vihiknors
4
uefa what a lose ..usa is not a venue for football
fikacikmyz
1
hi
Ciuadiknsu
6
Again these people want to take the tournament in America next time?? let it go to Europe those people love football unlike those Americans.
Maubcptuyz
3
Good President,time will tell,the tournament will grow with years!
Maubcptuyz
0
Lol, even Real Madrid can't save this mickey mouse tournament. Where's those clowns who laugh at Messi earlier when tickets sold for $4 in opening match?
Time will come,the tournament will grow with years,amounts don’t matter,yes we have differences,the sport must grow,someday it be worth better than more!
EAG1996
0
Lol, even Real Madrid can't save this mickey mouse tournament. Where's those clowns who laugh at Messi earlier when tickets sold for $4 in opening match?
Barcelona fans can’t even read[Crylaugh]
Maubcptuyz
0
next time they won't take the competition to America
America and soccer,still needs more of such to attract!,good country with a lot of attractions!
Maubcptuyz
0
This tournament doesn't make sense. I have all the time, but I only watched yesterday match btn PSG and Bayern.
Was good match
Maubcptuyz
1
The attendance has been poor,hopefully with years and change in rules,more popular teams will participate,it worth it though as the 1 addition tournament 🏟️,it will grow with years and change
chuckky
1
Real Madrid to the rescue
KasongoWaKenya
0
This tournament doesn't make sense. I have all the time, but I only watched yesterday match btn PSG and Bayern.
yeuacilpst
0
Lol, even Real Madrid can't save this mickey mouse tournament. Where's those clowns who laugh at Messi earlier when tickets sold for $4 in opening match?
So you can’t read and understand?
dokinptu
0
next time they won't take the competition to America
BLKBtl
4
This tournament is a flop
ice411
0
Bro Barca fans are crazy
Swears Stupid crazy. Lol
Pookipie
0
refund
Addie4real™
1
did you read any ticket price of real Madrid being reduce. Barcelona fans you guys are just obsessed over madrid.all Madrid games are sold out
Bro Barca fans are crazy
juoabcopry
0
Lol, even Real Madrid can't save this mickey mouse tournament. Where's those clowns who laugh at Messi earlier when tickets sold for $4 in opening match?
did you read any ticket price of real Madrid being reduce. Barcelona fans you guys are just obsessed over madrid.all Madrid games are sold out
wozaeklopy
2
Lol, even Real Madrid can't save this mickey mouse tournament. Where's those clowns who laugh at Messi earlier when tickets sold for $4 in opening match?
vohbcdkmo
0
a joke