Joe
Atlanta, USA – June 17, 2025: Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has described the atmosphere at his team’s Club World Cup opener against LAFC as “strange,” following a match played in front of a largely empty stadium.
The UEFA Conference League champions cruised to a 2-0 victory over Major League Soccer side LAFC at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. However, the cavernous 70,000-seat venue saw just 22,137 fans in attendance — a turnout that left Maresca reflecting on the subdued environment.
“It was a good match, a good performance,” Maresca told reporters post-match. “I think the environment was a bit strange. You know, the stadium was almost empty. Not full.”
In an effort to consolidate the sparse crowd, fans with tickets in the upper tier were asked to relocate to the lower bowl. Most of those in attendance sported Chelsea colors, while a small group of LAFC supporters, including members of their “3252” fan section, occupied a few rows behind one goal.
LAFC earned their spot in the tournament after Club León of Mexico was expelled by FIFA for breaching multi-club ownership regulations. LAFC subsequently defeated Club América 2-1 in a play-in match on May 31. Many observers believe that had Club América qualified instead, the turnout — particularly among U.S.-based Mexican fans — might have been far more robust.
Despite the muted atmosphere, Maresca remained optimistic about Chelsea’s upcoming fixture against Brazilian giants Flamengo in Philadelphia.
“We prepared for this game also thinking that the environment was a bit different,” he said. “But no doubt that the next one will be a nice one because we know the Brazilian team, they always bring many, many fans. So we will try to be ready for the next one.”
The low turnout in Atlanta stood in contrast to other early matches in the tournament. Over 80,000 fans watched PSG and Atletico Madrid clash at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, while more than 60,000 spectators attended the tournament’s opener between Inter Miami and Al Ahly at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
The underwhelming crowd figures in Atlanta may prompt FIFA to adjust expectations for the inaugural expanded Club World Cup — at least until the knockout stages when marquee matchups are expected to draw larger audiences.
