FIFA attributed empty seats at a World Cup match in Guadalajara to fans watching from concourses, despite an announced attendance of 44,985. Thousands of empty seats were also noted at Levi's Stadium for the Qatar vs. Switzerland match.
The recurring issue of empty seats at World Cup matches raises questions about attendance figures and fan experience, potentially impacting the perception of the tournament's success and operational efficiency.
Thousands of empty seats were scattered throughout Levi's Stadium during the World Cup match between Qatar and Switzerland on Saturday. The attendance was listed at 67,966, close to the stadium's official capacity of 68,827 for World Cup games. Levi's Stadium can be expanded to over 70,000 for soccer matches, having previously drawn 70,971 for a Copa America game.
On Friday, FIFA attributed empty seats at a previous World Cup match in Guadalajara to fans watching from concourses, despite an announced attendance of 44,985. The seats on the east side of Levi's Stadium, which can get hot, were notably vacant during the match.