FIFA has officially announced the 12 U.S. stadiums that will host the expanded 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, with MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey set to host the final on July 13, 2025. This iconic venue, which has a capacity of 82,500, previously staged the 2016 Copa America Centenario final and is slated to host the FIFA World Cup 2026 final as well. The tournament will kick off on June 15, 2025, and feature 32 of the world’s top clubs competing in eight groups of four. The top two teams from each group will advance to a knockout round starting from the round of 16. In addition to MetLife Stadium, venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) and Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles) will be key hosts. FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the tournament as a landmark event for global club football, promoting inclusivity and showcasing talent from all continents.
FIFA has made a landmark announcement, unveiling the 12 stadiums across the United States that will host the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. Set to be the most significant iteration of the tournament yet, the competition will feature 32 of the world\’s top football clubs, representing all continents. The final will be held at the iconic MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey (often referred to as New York/New Jersey), on July 13, 2025. This multipurpose, open-air stadium, which opened in 2010 with a seating capacity of 82,500, has a rich history of hosting marquee events, including the 2016 Copa America Centenario final, where Chile defeated Lionel Messi’s Argentina in a dramatic penalty shootout.
A Venue Steeped in History
MetLife Stadium is no stranger to major football events, making it a fitting choice for the final of the 2025 Club World Cup. It’s not only a hub for football, but also a venue for other massive sporting and entertainment events. When it opened in 2010, MetLife became one of the largest stadiums in the U.S., with its capacity of 82,500 making it one of the few venues capable of handling the enormous crowds that such an event attracts. The stadium has since earned a reputation as a host of global football showpieces. Most notably, it was the venue for the 2016 Copa America Centenario final, where Chile triumphed over Argentina in a penalty shootout, with Lionel Messi heartbreakingly missing his penalty in what led to his temporary retirement from international football.
Looking forward, MetLife Stadium has also been selected as a key venue for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Not only will it host the final, but the stadium will also stage two knockout-round matches and five group-stage games. The decision to have both the FIFA Club World Cup final in 2025 and the FIFA World Cup final in 2026 at MetLife Stadium underscores its significance in the U.S. and on the global football stage.
2025 FIFA Club World Cup: A New Era
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be a historic edition for the tournament, marking its expansion to 32 teams from the previous format of seven. Set to take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, the competition will feature clubs from all six FIFA confederations: UEFA (Europe), CONMEBOL (South America), CAF (Africa), AFC (Asia), CONCACAF (North and Central America, and the Caribbean), and OFC (Oceania). The expansion is part of FIFA\’s broader efforts to elevate the stature of club football globally, making it a true global championship.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino heralded this edition of the Club World Cup as a \”new chapter in football’s global history,\” noting that it will give clubs from lesser-represented regions the chance to compete against the footballing powerhouses of Europe and South America. He added that the tournament would foster \”solidarity and inclusivity\” in global club football, allowing the world’s top clubs to showcase their talent on an unparalleled stage.
The format for the 2025 Club World Cup will consist of eight groups, each containing four teams. Every team will play three group-stage matches, and the top two teams from each group will progress to the knockout stages, starting with the round of 16 and culminating in the final. The expanded format mirrors the layout of the FIFA World Cup, giving fans a sense of familiarity and excitement as they follow their favorite clubs through the tournament.
At the time of the announcement, 30 of the 32 teams have been confirmed, with only two spots remaining to be filled — one from South America and the other representing the host nation, the United States. The full tournament draw is expected to take place in December 2024, where the group stage matchups will be determined.
12 U.S. Stadiums Chosen to Host Matches
In addition to MetLife Stadium, 11 other stadiums have been selected to host the 63 matches that will take place over the course of the month-long tournament. These stadiums are spread across the U.S., showcasing the nation’s world-class infrastructure and its passion for football. The chosen venues reflect a mix of football-specific stadiums and large multipurpose arenas capable of hosting large international crowds. The list of venues includes:
1. Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta) – Known for its futuristic design and retractable roof, this stadium is a state-of-the-art facility with a seating capacity of 71,000. It is the home of Major League Soccer\’s Atlanta United FC, one of the most popular clubs in the U.S., and the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons.
2. Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte) – A multipurpose venue located in Charlotte, North Carolina, with a capacity of 74,867. It hosts the NFL’s Carolina Panthers and MLS’s Charlotte FC.
3. TQL Stadium (Cincinnati) – A newer stadium built specifically for soccer, TQL Stadium is home to MLS club FC Cincinnati and has a seating capacity of 26,000. It’s widely regarded as one of the best soccer-specific venues in the U.S.
4. Rose Bowl Stadium (Los Angeles) – One of the most historic stadiums in the U.S., the Rose Bowl has hosted numerous high-profile football matches, including the 1994 FIFA World Cup final and the 1999 FIFA Women\’s World Cup final. It has a seating capacity of 88,565, making it one of the largest venues in the tournament.
5. Hard Rock Stadium (Miami) – Located in Miami Gardens, Florida, this stadium is known for hosting NFL games and the Miami Open tennis tournament. It has a capacity of 65,326 and has hosted major soccer events, including International Champions Cup matches.
6. GEODIS Park (Nashville) – Another soccer-specific stadium, GEODIS Park is the largest soccer-specific stadium in the U.S., with a capacity of 30,000. It is home to Nashville SC, an MLS team.
7. Camping World Stadium (Orlando) – With a seating capacity of 65,000, this multipurpose stadium in Orlando, Florida, is known for hosting the annual Citrus Bowl and has staged international soccer matches in the past.
8. Inter&Co Stadium (Fort Lauderdale) – Located in Fort Lauderdale, this is the home of Inter Miami CF. With a seating capacity of 19,000, it is one of the smaller venues but is modern and designed specifically for soccer.
9. Lincoln Financial Field (Philadelphia) – Home to the NFL\’s Philadelphia Eagles, this stadium seats 69,796 and has a history of hosting international soccer matches, including the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
10. Lumen Field (Seattle) – With a seating capacity of 72,000, Lumen Field is home to MLS\’s Seattle Sounders FC, one of the most successful soccer clubs in the U.S., and the NFL\’s Seattle Seahawks.
11. Audi Field (Washington, D.C.) – Home to D.C. United of MLS, Audi Field is a soccer-specific venue with a capacity of 20,000, offering an intimate atmosphere for high-stakes matches.
A Boost for U.S. Soccer and Global Football
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup will be a monumental event for U.S. soccer, providing fans with a preview of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and further boosting the sport\’s profile in the country. Hosting this expanded tournament will also give many top European and South American clubs an opportunity to play in front of American audiences, potentially increasing the fanbase for those clubs in the U.S.
On a global scale, the expanded format of the FIFA Club World Cup is expected to enhance the stature of the tournament. With teams from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and North America competing alongside the giants of European and South American football, the competition will bring a new level of inclusivity and excitement to international club football. FIFA’s decision to stage this event in the U.S., combined with the upcoming 2026 World Cup, solidifies the country’s growing importance as a key player in global football.
