Historic tournament brings world's elite soccer clubs to Central Florida with $1 billion prize pool
ORLANDO, FL – June 17, 2025 – Orlando has been selected as one of the premier host cities for the inaugural 32-team FIFA Club World Cup, marking the most significant international soccer tournament ever held in Central Florida. The month-long competition, featuring a record-breaking $1 billion prize pool, officially began June 14 and will showcase the world's elite clubs competing at Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium.
Tournament Overview
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup format represents a revolutionary change in international club soccer, bringing together champions from every continent in the sport's most prestigious club competition. Orlando will host six crucial matches over three weeks, with the winning team eligible to earn up to $125 million.
Key Orlando Matches:
- June 17: Ulsan HD vs. Mamelodi Sundowns
- June 20: SL Benfica vs. Auckland City FC (Inter&Co Stadium)
- June 26: Juventus vs. Manchester City (Camping World Stadium)
- July 4: Quarterfinal match (Camping World Stadium)
Global Soccer Convergence
The FIFA Club World Cup coincides with the CONCACAF Gold Cup, creating an unprecedented concentration of international soccer in the United States. This scheduling serves as crucial preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Canada and Mexico.
"This represents the culmination of Orlando's decade-long transformation into an international soccer destination," said tournament organizers. "Since launching the Florida Cup in 2015, Orlando has consistently proven its ability to host world-class soccer events."
World-Class Training Facilities
Beyond hosting matches, Orlando's soccer infrastructure continues to attract global attention. Bayern Munich, Germany's Bundesliga champions, has established their tournament training base at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World Resort. The presence of international stars like Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, and Manuel Neuer training in Central Florida demonstrates the region's world-class facilities.
Economic Impact and Tourism
The tournament is generating significant economic activity across Central Florida's tourism sector, with an estimated economic impact of approximately $70 million for the region.
"We are thrilled to welcome FIFA to Orlando and fully recognize the substantial economic and cultural value it will bring to our community," said Jason Siegel of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. "With an estimated impact of about $70 million, we're expecting thousands of fans to stay in our hotels, dine in our restaurants, and support our local businesses. It's yet another powerful example of how sports continue to drive meaningful economic growth and global visibility for Orlando, in both Orange and Osceola Counties."
Hotels throughout Osceola County and greater Orlando report strong international bookings, with many visitors extending stays to experience area attractions. The June 26 Manchester City vs. Juventus match will broadcast Orlando's venues to hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.
Local businesses, including restaurants, retail establishments, and tourism operators, are preparing for visitor levels comparable to peak pre-pandemic tourism periods.
Security and Safety Measures
Tournament organizers have implemented comprehensive security protocols following lessons learned from previous international tournaments. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced increased patrol presence during FIFA Club World Cup matches to ensure fan safety and prevent unauthorized entry incidents.
These enhanced security measures are designed to maintain a safe, family-friendly environment while allowing fans to enjoy world-class soccer without safety concerns.
Orlando's Soccer Legacy
The FIFA Club World Cup builds upon Orlando's established reputation in international soccer, with the Greater Orlando Sports Commission playing a key role in attracting world-class events to the region.
"First and foremost, this is an extraordinary opportunity for Orlando to solidify its standing as a premier global sports tourism destination," said Jason Siegel of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. "We've successfully hosted dozens of major sports events, from Copa America matches to Premier League friendlies, but we're particularly thrilled about the Club World Cup, which is a tremendous milestone for our community."
Siegel emphasized the tournament's broader significance: "Welcoming world-class teams like Ulsan HD (South Korea), Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa), Flamengo (Brazil), LAFC (USA), Juventus FC (Italy), and Manchester City (UK), reflects our city's ability to engage with a diverse international audience. Beyond the competition itself, the tournament fosters cultural exchange and unites communities through a shared love of the game."
WalletHub recently ranked Orlando among the best U.S. cities for soccer fans, a designation that reflects years of successful tournament hosting and infrastructure development.
Future Opportunities
The successful hosting of the FIFA Club World Cup positions Orlando for additional major sporting events on the horizon.
"With a successful Club World Cup, we continue to demonstrate to the international community that Orlando has the vision, infrastructure, and collaborative spirit needed to be a premier destination for future global sports events," Siegel noted. "This includes the potential to host the Women's World Cup in 2031, Men's and Women's Rugby World Cup matches, Premier League matches and other international friendlies, base camps for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and pre-Olympic competitions and qualifiers for the LA28 Olympic Games."
The tournament showcases Orlando's evolution from regional soccer host to international destination, capable of managing the world's most prestigious sporting events while maintaining Central Florida's signature hospitality.
Tournament Continuation
The FIFA Club World Cup continues through July 13, with the championship final scheduled for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Orlando's hosting of crucial group stage and quarterfinal matches positions the city as a central hub for the tournament's most competitive phases.
