FIFA faces scrutiny after thousands of red seats remained empty at Levi's Stadium during a World Cup match, just months after the same venue hosted the Super Bowl. The stadium's sparse attendance has become a defining image of the Bay Area's role in this year's tournament.
Friday, FIFA attributed the gaps to fans opting to watch from concourses rather than their assigned seats, rather than poor ticket sales. Yet the visual contrast with packed venues elsewhere has sparked frustration among local organizers and broadcasters expecting fuller crowds.
Levi's Stadium staged the Super Bowl only four months ago, a game that drew a near-capacity audience. The current hollow stands underscore a logistical disconnect between major sports events and soccer's global showcase in the same market.
The empty seats risk undermining the tournament's commercial momentum and broadcast appeal. Local officials and FIFA are under pressure to resolve the issue before higher-profile matches arrive at the venue later in the competition.
Critics argue that high ticket prices and poor transportation access may be deterring fans, a problem FIFA has yet to formally acknowledge.