Liam Duckstein
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is shaping up to be a landmark tournament in the history of international club football. Set to take place in the United States from June 14 to July 13, the expanded competition will feature 32 teams, 63 matches, and 11 cities as hosts—offering a full preview of the nation’s readiness for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Full List of Host Cities and Stadiums
FIFA has confirmed 12 venues across 11 cities, with the final set at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, and the opening match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Here’s a breakdown of where the action will unfold:
- Atlanta, Georgia: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (75,000)
- Charlotte, North Carolina: Bank of America Stadium (75,000)
- Cincinnati, Ohio: TQL Stadium (26,000)
- East Rutherford, New Jersey: MetLife Stadium (82,500 – Final)
- Miami Gardens, Florida: Hard Rock Stadium (65,000 – Opening)
- Nashville, Tennessee: Geodis Park (30,000)
- Orlando, Florida: Camping World Stadium (65,000) & Inter&Co Stadium (25,000)
- Pasadena, California: Rose Bowl (88,500)
- Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Lincoln Financial Field (69,000)
- Seattle, Washington: Lumen Field (69,000)
- Washington, D.C.: Audi Field (20,000)
Notably, five of these stadiums—MetLife, Rose Bowl, Lincoln Financial, Mercedes-Benz, and Lumen Field—are also 2026 World Cup venues, making the Club World Cup a vital rehearsal for infrastructure and logistics.
FIFA Club World Cup Stadiums / Source: FIFA
Why These Cities Were Chosen
FIFA’s selection process for host cities was guided by strategic, logistical, and commercial considerations. Each venue meets modern FIFA standards, ensuring optimal playing conditions for the tournament. Beyond football, the host cities are poised to gain economically, benefiting from increased tourism, hospitality revenue, and global visibility. Accessibility also played a crucial role, with each city offering strong transportation networks, including international airports and reliable public transit systems. The geographic distribution of venues ensures balanced coverage across the East Coast, Midwest, South, and West Coast, making the tournament accessible to fans nationwide. Additionally, all selected stadiums have a proven track record of hosting major sporting events, demonstrating their readiness for the scale and scrutiny of a global competition.
What Makes the 2025 Club World Cup Unique?
The 2025 Club World Cup brings an unprecedented level of scale and innovation to global football. For the first time, 32 clubs from six confederations will compete, expanding the tournament’s format significantly. Unlike traditional FIFA competitions, commercial stadium names will remain, adding a distinct branding element. Beyond the matches themselves, the event serves as a crucial test for the infrastructure that will be used in the 2026 World Cup. The selection of venues further enhances its character, blending history and modern spectacle—from the iconic Rose Bowl to Seattle’s Lumen Field, offering breathtaking skyline views.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has hailed this as a milestone for international football, emphasizing its role in uniting over 90 nations through club representation.
Training Base Camps: Preparing for Glory
FIFA has designated 34 training bases across 14 states, hosted primarily by MLS clubs and universities. Each facility has been vetted for quality, privacy, and proximity to match locations. Here are some standout assignments:
- Al Ahly – Nova Southeastern University, Florida; The Pingry School, New Jersey
- Al Ain – Episcopal High School, Virginia
- Al Hilal – DC United Training Centre, Virginia; Nashville SC Training Facility, Tennessee
- Atlético de Madrid – Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, California
- Auckland City – Baylor School, Tennessee
- Bayern Munich – Wide World of Sports Complex, Florida
- Benfica – Waters Sportsplex, Florida
- Boca Juniors – Barry University, Florida
- Borussia Dortmund – Inter Miami CF Training Centre, Florida
- Botafogo – Westmont College, California
- Chelsea – Philadelphia Union Training Facility, Pennsylvania; Nova Southeastern University, Florida
- Espérance de Tunisie – Oakland University, Michigan
- Flamengo – Stockton University, New Jersey; Wide World of Sports Complex, Florida
- Fluminense – University of South Carolina, South Carolina
- Inter Miami – Inter Miami CF Training Centre, Florida
- Inter Milano – UCLA, California; Seattle Seahawks Training Centre, Washington
- Juventus – The Greenbrier Sports Training Centre, West Virginia; ChampionsGate, Florida
- Los Angeles FC – Mercer University, Georgia
- Mamelodi Sundowns – IMG Academy, Florida
- Manchester City – Lynn University, Florida
- Monterrey – Loyola Marymount University, California
- Porto – Rutgers University, New Jersey
- Pachuca – UNC Charlotte, North Carolina
- Paris Saint-Germain – University of California Irvine, California
- Real Madrid – Gardens North County District Park, Florida
- River Plate – Sounders FC Clubhouse and Training Facility, Washington
- Palmeiras – UNC Greensboro, North Carolina
- Salzburg – Melanie Lane Training Ground, New Jersey
- Seattle Sounders – Sounders FC Clubhouse and Training Facility, Washington
- Ulsan – Charlotte FC, North Carolina
- Urawa Red Diamonds – University of Portland, Oregon
- Wydad – Landon School, Maryland
Even clubs from Africa (Wydad), Asia (Urawa Red Diamonds), and Oceania (Auckland City) are catered to with elite facilities like Baylor School and the Landon School.
The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 isn’t just a showcase of elite football—it’s a rehearsal for 2026, a festival for fans, and a strategic milestone in global sport development. With cities coast to coast prepped for action, and clubs locked in for battle, the USA is ready to host the most expansive Club World Cup in history.