• Loading stock data...
Friday, May 30, 2025

High Ticket Prices, Half-Empty NFL Stadiums at Copa América

  • Copa América has high ticket prices but low attendance.
  • One matchup had under 30,000 fans in an NFL stadium.
Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

After one weekend of play, Copa América is struggling to fill U.S. stadiums.

The opening match of the tournament between Argentina and Canada nearly filled the home of the Atlanta Falcons, but attendance quickly dropped throughout the rest of the weekend. Most notably, under 30,000 fans showed up in Santa Clara to watch Venezuela beat Ecuador, filling up less than half of the stadium.

Here’s the attendance and capacity breakdown for the first six matches:

  • Argentina-Canada: 70,564 fans, 71,000-person capacity at Mercedes-Benz Stadium
  • Peru-Chile: 43,030 fans, 80,000-person capacity at AT&T Stadium
  • Ecuador-Venezuela: 29,864 fans, 68,500-person capacity at Levi’s Stadium
  • Mexico-Jamaica: 53,763 fans, 72,200-person capacity at NRG Stadium
  • USA-Bolivia: 47,873 fans, 80,000-person capacity at AT&T Stadium
  • Uruguay-Panama: 33,425 fans, 65,300-person capacity at Hard Rock Stadium

Fans have been quick to point a finger at high ticket prices. The get-in price for the tournament’s opening match was more than $500. Some games start at $55 before fees, but others like Venezuela-Mexico are higher, starting on Ticketmaster at $119 before fees as of Monday morning. It’s a steep price to pay for any casual fans hoping to catch a match, and with the games being played in large NFL stadiums, the prices can’t be blamed on a limited supply of seats.

Copa América also had high ticket prices coupled with an abundance of empty seats the last time the event was held in the U.S. in 2016. But that tournament, with an average of roughly 46,000 fans at each game, sailed above the ’19 tournament in Brazil with its average of 34,651 fans per match. The ’21 tournament held in Brazil had limited attendance due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

At the same time, the Euros have drawn large crowds, including more than 65,000 fans at Germany-Scotland and more than 68,000 fans at Spain-Croatia. For the most part, games are being held at smaller venues than Copa América, plus travel distances between host cities and home countries are much shorter in Europe than they are in the Americas.

At the same time it’s dealing with half-empty stadiums, Copa América is also fielding complaints from players about the temporary grass pitches. Argentina and Canada both had qualms about the opening-match pitch, calling it “very bumpy,” “hollow,” and “a disaster.” Peru’s manager said the surface in Dallas might’ve led to his player’s Achilles injury.

MLS read the room, announcing record-breaking attendance numbers so far throughout its season on Monday. The league, which is continuing play throughout the Copa América tournament, is averaging 13% higher attendance than it had at this point last season. The league left out its average attendance, but quick math says it comes out to a little under 23,300 per match. (MLS has played 279 matches this year and said that nearly 6.5 million fans have attended.) MLS may be recording smaller attendance numbers, but that’s on purpose. Many teams built smaller, soccer-only venues for a better atmosphere—several hold under 20,000 fans—while Copa América forges on at much larger NFL stadiums.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Mar 24, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Detailed view of the basketball sneakers worn by Los Angeles Clippers guard Terance Mann (14) against the Philadelphia 76ers at Crypto.com Arena.

Skechers Sued Over Allegedly Sketchy Go-Private Deal

The footwear giant agreed to be acquired by 3G Capital for $9.4 billion.

Steve Cohen Taps USTA’s Lew Sherr to Reshape Mets Off Field

The MLB club hires a top executive from the U.S. Tennis Association.

Featured Today

How the Champions League Anthem Took on a Life of Its Own

The composer didn’t know he wrote a timeless hit three decades ago.
May 25, 2025

How Rolex Paved the Way for Luxury’s Love Affair With Tennis

“It’s almost impossible to think about tennis without thinking about Rolex.”
Mar 23, 2025; Miami, FL, USA; Alexandra Eala (PHI) reacts after winning a point against Madison Keys (USA)(not pictured) on day six of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
May 24, 2025

Alex Eala Is Defying Her Country’s Odds to Make French Open History

The Philippines native has overcome a unique set of financial odds.
May 24, 2025

Indiana Is the Center of the Basketball Universe—Thanks to Both Pro Teams

The Fever and Pacers are thriving at the same time.

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Plans Hit Political Wall As Both Parties Say No

Both Republicans and Democrats in Missouri oppose public funding for stadiums.
U.S. Women's Golf
May 27, 2025

U.S Women’s Open Will Play on Courses Once Reserved for Men

Erin Hills Golf Course in Wisconsin is hosting this week’s tournament.
Feb 14, 2024; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view of the Kansas City Royals 1985 and 2015 World Series championships on the scoreboard at Kauffman Stadium at the Truman Sports Complex.
May 28, 2025

Chiefs, Royals Stadium Public Funding Standoff Nears Endgame

Missouri legislators will review stadium bonds for the Chiefs and Royals.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

In Episode 7 of Portfolio Players, go inside the boardroom with Avenue Capital CEO and former Milwaukee Bucks co-owner Marc Lasry on Giannis’s future, women’s sports, and upstart leagues like TGL and Unrivaled. 
Gillette
May 21, 2025

Boston NWSL Team to Play at Gillette After Legal Fight Delayed Own..

The team beat a lawsuit from locals against their stadium in April.
Sep 25, 2022; Chicago, Illinois, USA; A general view of Soldier Field before a game between the Chicago Bears and the Houston Texans. Chicago defeated Houston 23-20.
May 19, 2025

Bears Pivot to Suburbs As $4.7B Downtown Stadium Plans Dim

The NFL team has reversed course on its lavish plans.
May 18, 2025

Final Preakness Stakes at ‘Pimlico As We Know It’ Delivers High Drama

The Baltimore horse racing track is set for a $400 million renovation.
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
May 16, 2025

Public Funding for Arenas Is Failing Everywhere—Except Oklahoma City

Voters chose to fund $850 million for a new Thunder arena.