FIFA is set to launch a revamped Club World Cup from June 15 to July 13, 2025, featuring 32 top clubs and hosted across various U.S. cities. In partnership with DAZN, all 63 matches will be broadcasted, aiming to enhance viewer engagement. The new format, taking place at the season’s end, raises concerns over player fatigue, while FIFA promises financial incentives to participating clubs. DAZN’s challenge lies in attracting subscribers to offset significant costs, ensuring the tournament’s success.
Prepare for a Month of Football Frenzy
Are you feeling overwhelmed by football? Brace yourself, as another month of matches is on the horizon. As the sports seasons continue to extend, often compromising the physical and mental well-being of both players and fans, FIFA is advancing its ambitious Club World Cup initiative.
On Wednesday, FIFA made headlines by unveiling a broadcasting partnership with DAZN, set to air all 63 matches of this new tournament. Scheduled for June 15 to July 13, 2025, the event will traverse the United States, with venues in cities like Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Washington, Atlanta, and Nashville. This marks a significant journey for the world’s 32 top clubs, including Paris Saint Germain, which will discover its competition draw this Thursday at 7:00 PM.
A Shift in the Club World Cup Format
Historically, the Club World Cup took place in winter over a brief period, featuring a select few teams—the champions of various continental tournaments. These matchups often lacked excitement, as they rarely showcased surprising outcomes or high-quality play.
FIFA’s quest to gain traction against its European counterpart, UEFA, which organizes the prestigious Champions League, has led to a transformation of the Club World Cup format. By scheduling it at the season’s end, similar to major tournaments like the Euro and the World Cup, FIFA hopes to create a more impactful event, albeit at the cost of extending the season for players. This change has raised concerns among footballers, with many facing grueling schedules of over 60 matches a season. Notably, rising star Rodri from Manchester City has voiced concerns, suggesting that players may soon feel compelled to strike due to the unrelenting demands of the sport.
In an effort to incentivize clubs to encourage player participation, FIFA has promised substantial financial backing, although details of the economic model remain somewhat vague. Each club is guaranteed around fifty million euros, a figure that is particularly appealing to team owners like PSG’s Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who supports FIFA’s initiative.
To ensure the success of this new tournament, FIFA is actively seeking sponsors, with some big names like Hisense and AB InBev already onboard. Negotiations are ongoing with potential American partners, including Coca-Cola and Bank of America, although some are cautious due to high entry fees ranging from 100 to 200 million euros.
FIFA’s search for a broadcaster has also been a significant challenge. After extensive discussions with various networks and platforms, a deal was finally struck with DAZN, which recently secured the majority of Ligue 1 TV rights in France. While the exact financial terms remain undisclosed, estimates suggest a billion-dollar contract, allowing DAZN to distribute the entire tournament with potential sublicensing options.
Gianni Infantino emphasized that FIFA’s goal is to unite the world’s 32 best clubs in a merit-based tournament to determine the official ‘world club champion.’ This agreement with DAZN aims to make the tournament easily accessible to fans, marking it as the most open club competition ever. DAZN plans to stream all matches for free, raising questions about how the platform will recoup its investment. The strategy involves generating revenue through advertising while also aiming to attract new subscribers over time.
However, DAZN faces hurdles in France, as it strives to reach its break-even point of 1.5 million subscribers at the full price of 40 euros per month. If the platform fails to turn a profit within a year, a clause allows for termination of the broadcasting agreement. Thus, the arrival of the 2025 Club World Cup matches presents a critical opportunity for DAZN to entice new subscribers who have yet to engage with the “Netflix of sports.”