Club World Cup 2025 Stadiums & Stats

Every now and then, FIFA and UEFA like to jazz things up a little bit. Such decisions are usually made in order to try to combat a threat from elsewhere or, more often than not, because of potential financial gain. That is certainly the case for FIFA when it comes to the new Club World Cup.

The organisation chose to change how the competition would work, largely in the hope that it would make it a more attractive thing for both broadcasters and sponsors. Gianni Infantino had touted making changes as early as 2016, but they didn’t actually come around until 2025 for various reasons, meaning that we all have to suffer now instead.

What the New-Look Competition Will Offer

For a time, the Club World Cup was enjoying something of a hiatus, eventually being brought back to life in 2005. At that point, the teams that qualified for it were the ones that had won the continental club competitions held by the various confederations under FIFA’s control.

The last tournament to be held under that format was in 2023, with Manchester City emerging as winners at a time when the Premier League were investigating the club over 130 charges of financial misconduct. The new format was announced in 2019, with the plan being for it to take place in 2021 before being postponed because of the global health crisis.

The allocation of slots for the various confederations was confirmed in the February of 2023, with the United States of America confirmed as the host nation for the new-look competition. At the FIFA Council meeting in the October of 2019, it was made official that the new tournament would take place in June and July every four years, with the USA acting as host for the first one in order to give the country a chance to prepare for hosting the World Cup the following year. There will be 32 teams taking part, divided into eight groups with four teams in each, with the top two sides making it through to the knockout stage.

The format chosen is the same as that that was used in the World Cup between 1998 and 2022, with the main exception being that there will be no play-off to decide which team will finish in third-place. In the January of 2024, confirmation came in that it would be hosted on the East Coast of the US, mainly as the CONCACAF Gold Cup will take place on the West Coast at the same time. For the 2025 tournament, the slot allocation was as follows:

• AFC: 4 slots
• CAF: 4 slots
• CONCACAF: 4 slots
• CONMEBOL: 6 slots
• OFC: 1 slot
• UEFA: 12 slots
• Host Nation: 1 slot

On the fifth of December 2024, a draw was held two days after FIFA had confirmed the proceedings for it as well as the seeding pots. It meant that the pots for the 2025 Club World Cup were as follows:

The Stadiums

With the World Cup being held in the United States of America in 2026, the country was already well-positioned to be able to offer some top-class stadiums for the Club World Cup’s usage. As a result, the country was able to provide 12 different venues for the competition, even though only five of them will be used when the World Cup is staged in the States in 2026.

Perhaps unsurprisingly when you consider the fact that the United States isn’t known for its love of association football but the version known as ‘gridiron’, the stadiums selected were not built for the specific purpose of hosting football games as we would understand them.

Hard Rock Stadium (Miami Gardens, Florida)

This multi-purpose stadium in Miami is set to host the opening game of the Club World Cup in 2025, hence it being first on our list. It has a history of playing host to major sporting events, having been the venue for the Super Bowl six times, as well as the final of the Copa América in 2024. It is also where both the Orange Bowl, a college football game, and the Miami Open tennis competition are held. One of the few stadiums that is due to host World Cup matches in 2026, it is the home of the Miami Dolphins American football team and until 2011 it was where the Florida Marlins played their Major League Baseball matches.

Fins up with H at Hard Rock Stadium. Let’s go Dolphins! #MiamiDolphins

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— Rosemarie Lane (@keysmom.bsky.social) December 22, 2024 at 8:50 PM

It opened in 1987 and was initially known as the Joe Robbie Stadium, changing names numerous times in the years that have followed. It became known as the Hard Rock Stadium in 2016 after the Dolphins reached an agreement with Hard Rock Cafe Inc. for the rights, in a deal worth $250 million over 18 years. Of course, FIFA doesn’t allow the use of such names in major tournaments, so it will have a different one for both the Club World Cup and the World Cup itself. It underwent a renovation in 2015, which was four years after it was first used as the location of a friendly match between Barcelona and C.D. Guadalajara.

MetLife Stadium (Eat Rutherford, New Jersey)

The MetLife Stadium is second on our list on account of the fact that it will be where the Club World Cup final is held in 2025. An open-air venue that is designed for multiple uses, it is located within the Meadowlands Sports Complex. It replaced the Giants Stadium as the host for both the New York Giants and the New York Jets, both of whom play in the National Football League. As well as being where the final of the Club World Cup will be held, it is also where the World Cup final is likely to take place. There are only two stadiums in the USA that see two NFL teams share their use, with the other being the SoFi Stadium.

@footprintsonearth This is MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey #eastrutherford #taylorswift #erastour #metlifestadium #metlifetstheerastour #tiktok #trending ♬ original sound – footprintsonearth

The architects who were tasked with designing what would become the MetLife Stadium had to come up with a neutral venue that still had the personalities of the two franchises that would use it. As a result, lighting is able to change features within the stadium to either blue or green depending on who is playing. It was taken from the Allianz Arena in Germany, which hosted both Bayern Munich and 1860 Munich. A venue with numerous accessibility options, it was named ‘Greenest Stadium’ in 2009 and ‘Venue of the Year’ in 2017. As well as being a Super Bowl host, it has also hosted several football matches at one point or another.

Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)

An outdoor athletic stadium located in California, the Rose Bowl is the home of the annual college football game from which is takes its name. It has hosted numerous different Super Bowls over the years, as well as being a notable venue for what the Americans would call ‘soccer’. In 1994 it hosted the final of the World Cup, whilst in 1999 it was where the Women’s World Cup final was held. Numerous different games of the United States Soccer Federation have been hosted at the Rose Bowl, in addition to CONCACAF matches. It is with that in min that it has been chosen as one of the venues for the Club World Cup in 2025.

Rose Bowl Magic 🌹 pic.twitter.com/mI39ATxj5A

— Sam Essex (@sam__essex8) January 5, 2025

Until 1922, the game that would become known as the Rose Bowl was played at Tournament Park, around three miles south-east of the stadium. The organisers realised that a permanent stadium was needed, so Myron Hunt was asked to design a new one. It has undergone several changes and modifications over the years, which have been able to do nothing about the fact that it can be quite difficult to access. Until 1997, more than 104,000 people could attend matches hosted in the venue, but nowadays it is open to less than 90,000. In terms of history, few venues used at the Club World Cup can come close to this one.

Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)

When the new stadium for Charlotte was in the planning stages, it was various known as the Panthers Stadium and the Carolinas Stadium, eventually becoming the Ericsson Stadium for sponsorship reasons. As with many of the major stadiums around the United States, it is a multi-purpose venue. As well as being where the Carolina Panthers play their NFL games, it is also where Charlotte Football Club play Major League Soccer matches, meaning that it is used to having football games played within its confines. Bank of America purchased the naming rights for 20 years in 2004, leading to many calling it the BOA.

There are numerous unique external features at the Bank of America Stadium, including three huge main entrances as well as arches that connect supports for the upper deck looking like the shape of half of a football. The fact that it is an open-air stadium means that it is at the subject of the weather, such as in 2011 when a rainstorm hit and caused severe flooding. It was a pioneering project when it was built, which is why other clubs looked to it when they built their own grounds. One such team was the Seattle Seahawks, who referenced it whilst building CenturyLink Field. It has undergone numerous renovations.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)

When it came to selecting venues that could be used to host Club World Cup matches, the Mercedes-Benz Stadium was an obvious choice. As well as being one of the most modern venues in the US, it is also somewhere where association football matches are held on a regular basis. It is the home of both the National Football League team the Atlanta Falcons and also the Major League Soccer side Atlanta United FC, to say nothing of the fact that it is also used to tens of thousands of people arriving at it to enjoy some live sport. It hosts the likes of the Peach Bowl, the Celebration Bowl and the Aflac Kickoff Game.

📍Atlanta

First time inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Nice digs. A bit smaller than I thought but still super cool. Giants-Falcons coming up soon as the Giants try to snap this 9-game losing streak.

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— Evan Barnes (@evanbarnes.bsky.social) December 22, 2024 at 5:42 PM

The stadium boasts a signature feature in the form of a retractable roof, which has a ‘pinwheel’ made up of eight panels that operate on straight, parallel rails. Inspired by the Roman Pantheon, it can be adjusted in order to allow in more or less light depending on what is needed. There is a 58-by-1,100-foot video board underneath the roof that is known as the ‘Halo’. It was one of the venues used for the 2024 Copa America, for which natural grass was installed on top of the artificial turf that is typically in place there. The surface was criticised by the Argentina manager, Lionel Scaloni, after the first match took place in the ground.

Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

The home stadium of the Philadelphia Eagles, Lincoln Financial Field is located in the South of the city and makes up part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. Able to welcome just shy of 70,000 people, it took around two years to build and opened its doors for the first time in 2003. It was a replacement for Veterans Stadium, which had opened in 1971 and was the home of both the Eagles and the Phillies for a time. In the June of 2002, the Lincoln Financial Group bought the naming rights for 21 years, agreeing to pay £139.6 million for the honour. As with other grounds, it won’t be allowed to have the name during the Club World Cup.

@wwe.fan_123Less than an hour now from the first match of The biggest WrestleMania of all time 🤩♬ original sound – WweFanChannel

It is fair to say that the stadium is one that is used for numerous high-profile sporting events, including the Army-Navy football game. In terms of association football, it has hosted several games for the Philadelphia Union, who play any high-profile matches here on account of the fact that their own ground isn’t big enough for large numbers of supporters. Numerous ‘soccer’ games take place here each year, whilst the 2026 World Cup will see some matches played in the ground. It has been the host venue for the NCAA Lacrosse National Championship numerous times, so supporters will be well-catered for here.

Lumen Field (Seattle, Washington)

Lumen Field first opened its doors on the 28th of July 2002 when it was the home of the Seattle Seahawks. In fact, it was even known as the Seahawks Stadium initially, becoming Qwest Field in 2004 and then CenturyLink Field until 2020, both because of sponsorship. Its current title is also down to sponsorship, though it won’t maintain it when it’s used for FIFA events like the Club World Cup. It is a place that is used to hosting football games, on account of the fact that it is also where both the Seattle Reign and the Seattle Sounders play their NWSL and MSL matches respectively. It is, though, an NFL ground first and foremost.

Everton’s new stadium is super vertical.

This reminds me of Lumen Field in Seattle — the plots of land are small, so engineers build the stands vertically to accommodate more seats and increase noise.

It’s loud because fans are essentially on top of the field, but then it gets… pic.twitter.com/dPiYVw1TFZ

— Joe Pompliano (@JoePompliano) November 25, 2024

It is owned by the Washington State Public Stadium Authority, which was a body that was created after a statewide election confirmed the allocation of funds for the building of the venue in 1997. Fans of the Seahawks have twice been responsible for the loudest crowd roar at a stadium, which gives an indication of what the atmosphere can be like when those in attendance feel as thought they’ve got something worth shouting for. It is one of the stadiums that will be used during the 2026 World Cup, having already been a host for CONCACAF Champions League matches as well as the Copa América Centenario in 2016.

Geodis Park (Nashville, Tennessee)

One of the youngest grounds on the list of host venues for the 2025 Club World Cup, Geodis Park is also one of the only ones that has been built specially for association football matches. It was known as either Nashville SC Stadium or Nashville Fairground Stadium during its construction phase before taking on its current moniker once it opened. The home of the Major League Soccer side Nashville SC, it first opened on the first of May 2022 when Nashville SC welcomed the Philadelphia Union for a match. It is owned by the Metropolitan Council of Nashville, with a public-private ownership model having been intended originally.

It is part of the redevelopment of the Nashville Fairgrounds area and the initially cost was meant to be $275 million, with the eventual cost being around $60 million more than that. Designed by Populous, the company that has designed numerous such stadiums around the world, it can seat 30,000 people, which makes it the largest ‘soccer’-specific site in North America. There are six lounges on-site, as well as 12 box suites and an entry gate specifically for the ‘supporters group’. There are 11 parking lots dotted around the Fairgrounds that are just for Nashville SC matches, whilst the public transport system also serves it.

TQL Stadium (Cincinnati, Ohio)

Another one of the young stadiums being used for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is TQL Stadium in Cincinnati. As with Geodis Park, it is also a ‘soccer’-specific site, being the home of FC Cincinnati, the Major League Soccer team. The numerous grounds that are aimed specifically at football fans are a positive sign of the development of the game in the States, even if it is more like a Championship-sized stadium than a Premier League one, if you’re talking about it in English football terms. It was proposed in 2016 when an MLS expansion franchise was being discussed by the state, being build between 2018 and 2021.

Today’s office

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— Gabe (@gabeschmidt.bsky.social) November 9, 2024 at 7:08 PM

The stadium’s architect, Dan Meis, looked to the Allianz Arena in Germany for inspiration when coming up with the design for the TQL Stadium. It underwent numerous different changes in the years following the initial concept, with Populous being brought in in order to create the final version. The majority of the $250 million funding for the ground came from FC Cincinnati, with city funds being used on the infrastructure improvements in the area around it. The name comes from a sponsorship by Total Quality Logistics, who agreed a long-term deal with the club for it. It is reasonably easy to reach thanks to its location.

Audi Field (Washington, District of Columbia)

Audi Field falls in line with both Geodis Park and TQL Stadium in the sense that it is another ground in the United States of America that has been specifically built in order to host association football matches. It is the home of both DC United, the Major League Soccer team, and the National Women’s Soccer League side the Washington Spirit. DC Power, another female football team, and the American football side DC Defenders also play matches there. It can seat 20,000 people, with a naming rights deal agreed between DC United and the car manufacturing company announced on the 15th of February 2017 on a long-term’ basis.

@jackgrimse Audi Field Stadium Tour 🏟️🔴⚫ Thanks @d.c. united for some amazing access! 🙌 📹 Full video out now! #DCUnited #AudiField #Stadium #MLS #Soccer #Football @Jack Grimse @Jack Grimse ♬ original sound – Jack Grimse

The ribbon was cut on the opening of the stadium on the ninth of July 2018, then a week later the first MLS match was held there when DC United took on the Vancouver Whitecaps in a 2-1 home win. The grass pitch of the stadium was criticised after a United States women’s national soccer team game on the 16th of July 2024, leading to a new pitch having to be installed later in the year. It is located about a mile away from the Navy-Yard Ballpark Washington Metro station, being served by the Green Line, whilst the Potomac Riverboat Company also operates shuttle services to it on a match day to ensure everyone makes it.

Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)

As you might imagine, the name of this stadium is thanks to the fact that it is sponsored. When it first opened in 1936 it was known as the Orlando Stadium, also being known as the Tangerine Bowl, the Citrus Bowl, the Florida Citrus Bowl and the Orlando Citrus Bowl over the years; the latter title being shown in its address of 1 Citrus Bowl Place. Owned and operated by the City of Orlando, it is one of the nine venues that was used to host the FIFA World Cup when it was hosted by the United States of America in 1994. It was also where the association football match was held during the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

Just realized Camping World stadium in Orlando or the Citrus Bowl which I still call it is home of the Snacks Bowls with the Cheez-It and Pop Tart Bowl games pic.twitter.com/8kxCj2LjNj

— Mexi 🇲🇽🤠 (@MexiRey316) December 31, 2024

Given the sheer age of the venue, it is perhaps not all that surprising that it has undergone several changes over the years. Between improvements and expansions, tens of millions of dollars have been spent improving it as much as possible. The football games that have been played on haven’t been limited to just the World Cup and the Summer Olympics, with the likes of Major League Soccer games and other matches also taking place at the venue. In 2022, Chelsea and Arsenal played a friendly game in the Florida Cup in front of a record attendance crowd of 63,811 people, with the Gunners winning the match 4-0.

Inter&Co Stadium (Orlando, Florida)

The final of the ‘soccer’-specific stadiums that are on the list as host venues for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is the Inter&Co Stadium. Also located in Orlando, it has been the home of both Orlando City SC and the Orlando Pride since it opened in 2017, with the former playing in the MLS and the latter being a NWSL side. Both the men’s and women’s national team have also played association football matches in the ground, whilst several cup competitions have been their final played here. College football games have also been hosted by the stadium, demonstrating its ability to be used for numerous different sporting events.

The stadium features 49 rainbow-coloured seats, which are in place as a memorial to the victims of the Orlando nightclub shooting in 2016. In 2019 it was confirmed that Exploria Resorts, a timeshare entirety based nearby, would sponsor it, then in 2024 the deal was taken over by the Brazilian digital bank Inter&Co. There have been numerous high-profile international matches played out at the stadium, to say nothing of the fact that it is also able to welcome concerts as it did in both 2020 and 2022. There are canopies over the supporters in order to both protect them from the weather and increase the atmosphere from fans.