FIFA slash Club World Cup opener ticket prices in bid to boost attendance | OneFootball

FIFA are facing a rocky start to the new Club World Cup era, where 32 teams will vie for the chance to be crowned champions of the world.

According to the Times, alarm bells are ringing over the lack of ticket sales for the curtain raiser between Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami and Egyptian powerhouse Al Ahly.

We’re just over a week from the fixture at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida, yet thousands of seats are still unclaimed, with ticket sales falling well below expectations.

Less than 20,000 tickets have been sold for the 65,326-capacity venue.

FIFA has done their best to downplay the situation, claiming the number is ‘much higher’, but that has done little to quell concerns.

In an effort to boost attendance numbers, FIFA has reduced ticket prices. They were initially priced at $349 following December’s draw, but tickets now cost as low as $55 on Ticketmaster.

The pricing model adjusts based on demand, so it’s clear that the recent plummet is a strong response to the situation and a bid to spark interest from match-goers.

FIFA are still optimistic about the success of the tournament and the new format.

They ‘anticipate great attendances throughout the competition’, which will take place across 11 cities in the United States.

FIFA’s strategy has raised a few eyebrows. Some people believe that removing Miami from their local market may have created more buzz, especially with Messi as a major draw.

Others argue that playing in Miami is a logical move and were banking on gathering local support. In any case, the demand for tickets has been mixed.

Real Madrid games are attracting significant interest, especially after the club announced Xabi Alonso as their new manager and signed Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold.

FIFA are confident that fans from over 130 nations will buy tickets and are marketing the tournament’s $1 billion prize pool to drive interest.