FIFA has decided to take new measures in the hope that Hard Rock Stadium, the host of the Al Ahly vs. Inter Miami match in the opening match of the 2025 Club World Cup, will not appear empty and unfilled.
The Daily Mail revealed that FIFA has decided to redistribute the crowd within the stadiums, moving a number of fans to the seats facing the television cameras, with the aim of making the stands appear full during live broadcasts of the matches.
The English newspaper’s report added that this trick aims to conceal empty spaces in the stands, improve the atmosphere, and present an attractive visual image to viewers around the world.
The decision comes after FIFA failed to sell more than half of the stadium’s capacity, which amounts to more than 65,000 spectators. As a result, the stands will be almost empty overall, harming the tournament’s marketing.
The Daily Mail confirmed that the relocated fans did not lose the value of their tickets, and some even received upgrades to higher-value seats. She also explained that this practice is not entirely new, as it has been used in other major tournaments before, but it raises questions about the success of the tournament in its expanded version.
