Sports
Chelsea Faces 50,000 Empty Seats: Apathy Or Poor Scheduling?
Chelsea kicked off their Fifa Club World Cup campaign against Los Angeles FC to tens of thousands of empty seats in Atlanta.
The game started at 3pm local time on a working Monday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The attendance was announced as 22,137, in a ground which can hold 71,000 spectators – though the entire top tier was closed.
Sources had told the BBC that Fifa was expecting a crowd of about 26,000.
A small middle tier seemed to be mostly full, but a larger bottom tier was more than half empty.
The cheapest ticket was about £37 before kick-off. During the game tickets were still on sale online for £26 – with many available in nearly every section.
Los Angeles is more than 2,000 miles away from Atlanta, across the southern United States.
LAFC’s 150 ultras dominated the atmosphere – despite Chelsea having many more fans.
The Blues supporters mainly got animated for the goals in their 2-0 win, Liam Delap’s introduction for his debut and booing major decisions.
The newly expanded Club World Cup is being treated as a dress rehearsal for the international World Cup next summer, which will be held in the USA, Canada and Mexico.
The CWC is just being played in the US.
Club World Cup: Chelsea face LAFC in front of tens of thousands of empty seats
One of the big talking points in recent weeks was whether people cared about Fifa’s new-look competition.
Ticket sales have been slow, and this was the first match of the tournament to take place on a weekday.
There will be two or three games played during regular work hours on every other weekday this week and next week until the group stage ends on Thursday, 26 June (noon, 2pm and 3pm local time).
Chelsea also played at the stadium two years ago – and almost sold out with more than 70,000 fans watching them face Newcastle in a friendly tournament named the Premier League Summer Series.
The ground is home to the MLS’s best-supported football team – Atlanta United, who average 44,037 fans per match, and also hosts the USA men’s and women’s national teams.
Club World Cup apathy or concern for World Cup?
The question on everybody’s lips is are these attendances just because fans do not really care about this revamped Club World Cup – or could this apathy continue into the actual World Cup in 2026?
BBC Sport spoke to two American journalists to get their thoughts.
Doug Roberson of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution thinks there were several factors, but “it’s not because people here don’t care about soccer”.
“The people aren’t here because it’s Monday at 3pm,” he said. “Frankly I am surprised there are as many as there are.
“It’s a tournament that doesn’t mean a lot to people in the US because it’s new. I would imagine paying to come to a tournament you don’t know didn’t appeal, because the World Cup is coming next year and people are trying to save money for that.
“If I were Fifa, for the World Cup I would have game times where more people could come. It is something to think about – and the ticket prices were ridiculous.”
Jonathan Tannenwald, chief soccer correspondent for the Philadelphia Inquirer, says Fifa’s marketing is to blame.
“When you come here you have to do a lot of marketing,” he said. “You can’t just expect people to turn up.
“There was no true local organising committee in the US because Fifa were doing it all in-house.
“We will all show up for the World Cup next summer, but for the Club World Cup they needed to market it to explain.
“Will people show up in the knockout stages? Probably. Will they show up for Chelsea v LAFC in the group stage when tickets are too expensive and the game is in Atlanta? No. They are smarter than that. That is on Fifa.”
BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty said “the sight of 50,000 empty seats will come as an early embarrassment for Fifa”.
“There have been long-held fears that this latest supposedly showpiece tournament, shoehorned into an already over-crowded calendar after a gruelling season, would struggle to capture the public imagination,” he said.
“The sea of empty red seats as Chelsea beat Los Angeles FC provided grim confirmation.
“A kick-off at 3pm US time on a Monday may have been a contributory factor, while Chelsea and Los Angeles may also struggle to attract local interest, but the lack of supporters will surely have felt uncomfortable for Fifa’s top brass, including maybe even its ultra-confident president Gianni Infantino.
“It is perhaps also an early warning for Fifa that ticket pricing should be realistic, and within reasonable reach, for games played in the United States at next summer’s World Cup.
“Fifa’s latest project is in its infancy, but this was a very bad look so early in the tournament that it has set so much store by.”
Tickets still available for all matches
Some reports pre-tournament claimed students at a Miami college, which is a partner of Fifa, were told if they bought one ticket for £14.70 they would get four free.
Tickets have been on sale under a dynamic pricing model, with prices determined by demand.
They are available for every game – with many on sale for £25.
Most games still have thousands of tickets available. Real Madrid’s opener against Al-Hilal at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium only has 200 tickets left officially – though thousands of resale ones are available.
Despite the issues there have still been some large attendances.
Fifa claims 60,927 watched the opener between Inter Miami and Al-Ahly.
The official crowd for Paris St-Germain’s 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid was 80,619.
Other attendances so far have been 21,152, 30,151 and 46,275.
The United Kingdom was the country with the 11th-most tickets sold – with the US, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Canada leading the way.
What did BBC readers think?
Jon, Aberystwyth: If the Chelsea match is boring, entertain yourself by playing Spot The Fan.
Sam, Southanpton: What was wrong with the old Club World Cup format? Because the list of things wrong with this one could go on for miles.
Matty: So much negativity about this tournament. People not used to change. So proud of my Chelsea representing the Premier League on this stage.
Scott, Preston: I don’t think it’s the fact that people aren’t used to change, I think it’s clearly the motives behind this tournament? Obviously it’s about money and no regards to players’ welfare after a long season for all the clubs involved. I love football but to be honest it’s on most nights of the week and it’s only natural that people will switch off eventually.
Terry, Hammersmith: It’s just not sustainable having elite players playing competitively every summer. For the very best in Europe, they will have Euros, Club World Cup, World Cup and then a year off. This will inevitably lead to an overall drop in quality at domestic level.
Bbc.com
Sixteen-year-old Oluwakemi Adegbuyi has been named Player of the Tournament after helping Edo Queens win the 2026 WAFU-B Women’s title and qualify for the 2026/27 CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Nigerian champions defeated Ghanaian side Ampem Darkoa 4-1 on penalties after the final ended 2-2 in regulation time in Burkina Faso on Sunday.
Edo Queens looked set to suffer defeat after conceding an early penalty, but they refused to give up and found a late equaliser in the 90+3rd minute to force the game into a shootout.
They held their nerve from the spot, converting four penalties while Ampem Darkoa managed just one to claim the WAFU-B crown and secure their place in the Champions League.
Adegbuyi was one of the standout performers throughout the competition.
The Nigeria U-17 international scored twice in Edo Queens’ 3-1 win over ASEC Mimosas, finding the net on her debut before scoring again in her second appearance.
Her impressive displays earned her the Golden Ball award as the tournament’s best player.
The teenager also enjoyed a remarkable 2025/26 season with FC Robo Queens, scoring 11 goals during the NWFL Premiership regular season and Super Six playoffs. Her form earned her the NWFL Premiership Player of the Season award.
Adegbuyi has now added the WAFU-B Player of the Tournament prize to her growing collection of individual honours and will be among the players to watch at the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco from October 17 to November 7.
Meanwhile, Edo State Deputy Governor Dennis Idahosa described Edo Queens’ qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League as a remarkable achievement for the state and Nigerian women’s football.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Friday Aghedo, in Benin, Idahosa praised the players and technical crew for their resilience, discipline and determination.
“The feat is a remarkable achievement that has further placed Edo State at the forefront of women’s football in Nigeria and West Africa,” he said.
Idahosa also commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for his administration’s investment in sports development and praised Edo State Sports Commission chairman Amadin Enabulele for his leadership and support.
“I congratulate the players, coaches, technical crew, officials and the entire Edo Queens family on this well-deserved qualification,” Idahosa said.
“You have made Edo State and Nigeria proud. Your victory is a testament to what can be achieved when talent is matched with discipline, commitment and the right investment.
“We are proud of you and look forward to seeing you make an even greater mark on the continental stage.”
Manchester City are preparing an opening bid for Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez as manager Enzo Maresca looks to rebuild his midfield before next week’s transfer deadline.
The Argentina international has emerged as a priority target for Maresca following several high-profile departures from the Etihad Stadium this summer. The 25-year-old also shares a strong relationship with his former Chelsea manager, who left Stamford Bridge on New Year’s Day before taking charge of City in June.
Chelsea know about City’s interest. Naija News reports that the Blues previously set an unofficial deadline for a potential deal and placed a minimum £120m valuation on Fernandez, but that deadline passed without an agreement.
City are now expected to return for the midfielder before the window closes. A successful move could make Fernandez one of the most expensive signings in Premier League history, behind only Liverpool’s £125 million deal for Alexander Isak.
The Premier League champions have already paid £116 million for Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest and could break their transfer record for a second time in the same window.
Maresca wants another midfielder after a major reshuffle in the department. Tijjani Reijnders joined Saudi Arabian club Al-Qadsiah for £52 million; Barcelona signed Rodri for £65 million; Newcastle agreed a £52 million deal for Nico Gonzalez; and Bernardo Silva left earlier in the summer before joining Real Madrid.
Fernandez’s future has remained under scrutiny since Chelsea’s Champions League elimination by Paris Saint-Germain in March. He and his agent, former PSG midfielder Javier Pastore, attracted interest from Real Madrid, although the Spanish giants later issued a statement denying any attempt to sign the midfielder.
Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso also revealed in July that he had held a private conversation with Fernandez, who joined the club from Benfica for £107m in 2023, but declined to disclose what they discussed.
The midfielder came on as a second-half substitute during Monday’s 3-2 win over Fulham and faced boos from home supporters over his role in England’s World Cup exit. After celebrating briefly with the travelling fans and his teammates, Fernandez headed straight down the tunnel at the final whistle.
Coventry sign Pinnock from Brentford
Meanwhile, Coventry City have completed the signing of Jamaica centre-back Ethan Pinnock from Brentford for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £6m.
The 33-year-old joins the Sky Blues after six years with Brentford, where he made 216 appearances and scored 12 goals. He arrived at the West London club from Barnsley in 2019 and played an important role in their promotion to the Premier League.
Pinnock, however, lost his regular place in Brentford’s starting side and made only eight appearances in all competitions last season.
“I’m really excited to join Coventry City and continue my footballing journey with this great club,” Pinnock said.
“After 25 years, the club are back in the Premier League, and I know how much it must mean to everyone involved. I can’t wait to be part of it.”
Pinnock becomes Coventry’s 10th signing of the summer and their second defensive addition after Aurele Amenda arrived from Eintracht Frankfurt in July.
He also joins former Brentford teammate Frank Onyeka at Coventry. The Sky Blues have spent more than £100m this summer as they prepare for their return to the Premier League.
Chelsea make Martinez enquiries
Chelsea are also considering a move for Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after making contact with the Argentina international’s representatives.
Villa could allow the 33-year-old to leave after signing Japan goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for around £30m earlier this month.
A move for Martinez could lead to further business between Chelsea and Villa. Chelsea signed Morgan Rogers for a club-record £117m, while Alejandro Garnacho moved in the opposite direction on an initial loan deal. Nicolas Jackson, valued at around £65m, could also join Villa and reunite with former manager Unai Emery.
The clubs have developed a strong transfer relationship and previously completed a deal widely described as a PSR swap, which took Ian Maatsen to Villa and Omari Kellyman to Chelsea.
Juventus also tried to sign Martinez earlier in the window, but the move collapsed amid concerns over a finger injury. The Italian club instead signed Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan.
Chelsea’s interest comes amid growing concerns over Robert Sanchez’s recent performances. The Spaniard was beaten at his near post by Josh King against Fulham before spilling another effort into a dangerous area, allowing Gonzalo Garcia to score in Chelsea’s 3-2 win at Craven Cottage.
Chelsea’s second-choice goalkeeper Mike Penders, who returned from a successful loan spell at Strasbourg this summer, could start against Luton.
Manchester City midfielder Nico O’Reilly has been named the Professional Footballers’ Association Young Player of the Year for the 2025/26 season.
The 21-year-old was announced as the winner at the 53rd annual PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester, United Kingdom, on Tuesday.
O’Reilly emerged ahead of five other nominees after players voted for their preferred candidate in the category.
The other nominees were Manchester City teammate Rayan Cherki, Arsenal youngster Max Dowman, Bournemouth forward Junior Kroupi, Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo and Liverpool winger Rio Ngumoha.
The PFA Young Player of the Year award is determined by votes from professional footballers, with players recognising the outstanding young performers from the season.
O’Reilly enjoyed a breakthrough campaign with City, featuring in 53 matches across competitions and contributing directly to 15 goals. He impressed in both midfield and at left-back during the season.
His performances had already earned him the Premier League Young Player of the Season award, with the league describing the England international as one of the standout young players of the 2025/26 campaign.
O’Reilly was also instrumental in Manchester City’s domestic campaign, including scoring both goals in the club’s 2-0 victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final.
His latest recognition makes him one of the young players to have enjoyed the biggest breakthrough seasons in English football, having established himself as an important member of Pep Guardiola’s squad.
O’Reilly’s victory also means Manchester City continue their strong record in the PFA Young Player of the Year category, with the club having produced previous winners including Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and Phil Foden.
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