June 04, (THEWILL) – FIFA have dramatically reduced ticket prices for the 2025 Club World Cup opening match between Inter Miami and Al-Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium on June 14, with seats now available for just $55.
The governing body initially priced the cheapest tickets at $349 following December’s tournament draw, but poor sales have forced successive price cuts to $230 and then $110 before reaching the current low point.
The newly expanded tournament will take place across the United States this summer, with Inter Miami earning hosting rights for the opening fixture against Egyptian champions Al-Ahly.
Hard Rock Stadium can accommodate over 64,000 spectators, yet reports indicate tens of thousands of seats remain unsold despite the significant price reductions.
FIFA officials are concerned about the lacklustre ticket sales for what should be a marquee event in the football calendar.
Inter Miami’s participation in the tournament comes after their impressive 2024 campaign, which saw Lionel Messi lead the club to new heights in Major League Soccer.
The Argentine superstar’s presence was expected to drive substantial interest in the opening match, particularly given Miami’s large Latin American population and the global appeal of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
However, the reality of ticket sales has fallen short of expectations.
The Club World Cup has undergone significant expansion for 2025, growing from its previous seven-team format to include 32 clubs from around the world.
This is FIFA’s attempt to create a more lucrative and prestigious competition that could rival the UEFA Champions League in terms of global viewership and commercial appeal.
The tournament will run throughout June and July, with matches taking place in multiple American cities.
The struggling ticket sales for the opening match may signal broader challenges for FIFA’s ambitious plans for the expanded tournament.
While Messi’s star power remains considerable, the combination of high initial prices and unfamiliarity with the new format appears to have dampened public enthusiasm.
The drastic price reductions suggest organisers are prioritising stadium atmosphere over revenue for the tournament’s crucial opening night.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
