DOHA – Chelsea opened their Club World Cup campaign with a dominant win, but the match was played in front of largely empty stands, drawing attention to the tournament’s continued struggle for local engagement.
Despite fielding a strong lineup and putting on a confident display, Chelsea’s victory was overshadowed by the noticeable lack of spectators. Entire sections of the stadium remained vacant, raising concerns about the tournament’s visibility and marketing reach.
Several factors are being blamed for the low turnout, including midweek scheduling, high ticket prices, and limited on-ground promotion. Analysts also suggest that the tournament’s relatively new format and unfamiliar club matchups outside of the knockout stages fail to generate the same excitement seen in European leagues.
For Chelsea, the sparse attendance made little difference on the pitch. The players remained focused, delivering a professional performance that secured their progression in the competition.
However, as the tournament advances, organisers will face mounting pressure to draw larger crowds, especially for marquee fixtures. Whether the later stages manage to attract the attention and attendance expected of a global club event remains to be seen.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.