Tuesday October 3, 2023

Women’s World Cup Attendance Is Outperforming FIFA’s Expectations

  • The Women's World Cup has sold more than 1.6 million tickets this far.
  • FIFA had been forecasting sales around 1.5 million as interest continued to grow.
Jenna Watson-USA TODAY Sports
Front Office Sports Today

NBC Could Get In On College Football Playoffs

NBC is exploring broadcasting a slice of the expanded CFP in 2026.
Listen Now
October 3, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

The 2023 Women’s World Cup hasn’t even progressed through group play, but FIFA is already projecting higher attendance numbers than expected for the tournament.

Ticket sales are now close to 1.6 million, according to soccer’s governing body, which would easily surpass the record 1.35 million fans who attended the 2015 WWC in Canada. FIFA had been expecting to break that record, but its latest projections were around 1.5 million.

The USWNT has enjoyed packed houses for its first two games in New Zealand and now returns to Auckland for a potential must-win game against Portugal to secure first place in Group E over the Netherlands. 

The Americans and Dutch drew 1-1 earlier this week on Fox in the most-watched group-stage game ever on English-language television with 6.429 million viewers.

New Zealand has been able to draw strong crowds of 42,000 and 32,000, despite concerns over the lack of overall interest in attending matches in the country. The Kiwis are surprisingly in second place in their group, while fellow co-host Australia will likely need a win over Canada on Monday to advance to the knockout round.

Infantino’s Missing Presence

As FIFA continues to fend off negative publicity, president Gianni Infantino has not been as present at this Women’s World Cup as he was in Qatar for the men’s event last year, according to Sky News. 

Infantino reportedly left the tournament less than a week after it began, thus far attending a few matches in New Zealand and none in Australia.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

EA Rewarded For Decision To Split With FIFA

Company sees strong uptick in pre-release sales activity

DSG Seeks Extension As Reorganization Pressure Mounts

Bankrupt RSN operator looks to file restructuring plan in late November

MLB Attendance Surges 70 Million, Tops League Projections

League posts best year-over-year increase at the gate since 1993
Michael Andretti

Andretti Clears Key Hurdle To Launch Formula 1 Team

The American racing figure is one step closer to an F1 team.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

NBC Could Get In On College Football Playoffs

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

Football analyst and PFF investor Chris Collinsworth talks to man in front of computers

Cris Collinsworth 'Lost a Lot of Sleep' Over Pro Football Focus Leadership Issues

New book details why it’s no longer a “happy place to work.”
NBC is interested in media rights to the expanded College Football Playoff.
exclusive
October 2, 2023

NBC Is Interested in Expanded College Football Playoff Media Rights

NBC is one of the networks pitching the CFP, a source confirmed.
Levi's Stadium
October 2, 2023

49ers Study Shows Benefits of Public-Private Stadium Deals

Levi’s Stadium has generated more than $2 billion per new study.
Formula 1 drivers in a pack at the start of the Montreal Grand Prix
October 1, 2023

Apple Reportedly Making Push For Global Formula 1 Rights

The tech giant could offer $2 billion a year for the rights.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations

FIFA Down To Two Candidates For 2026 World Cup Final

Hotly contested battle said to be between Texas, N.J. stadiums
September 28, 2023

Ryder Cup Expects Record Revenue, But Not Profit

The Ryder Cup is being played in Rome this weekend.
Stacy Lewis tees off on the seventeenth hole during the first round of the CPKC Women's Open golf tournament at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club.
September 22, 2023

In Ryder Cup’s Shadow, Solheim Cup Captain Laments ‘Missed Opportunity’

U.S. captain Stacy Lewis criticized the lack of cross-promotion and marketing.
LIV Golf flag pin
September 21, 2023

Saudi Prince Dismisses Sportswashing Claims Post Newcastle, LIV Golf

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is bullish on sports.
Spain women's national soccer team players celebrate with the World Cup trophy after their victory in the 2023 Women's World Cup.
September 20, 2023

Spain Women’s Soccer Players Agree to End National Team Boycott

The RFEF will make “immediate and profound” changes to its structure.
Spain's women's national soccer team says it will not play matches until federation president Rubiales is removed.
September 19, 2023

Fallout Deepens From Spanish Soccer Scandal

Unrest continues among WWC champion national team
Jerry Jones invited FIFA'a Gianni Infantino to Sunday's Cowboys-Jets game at AT&T Stadium as the venue vies for the 2026 World Cup Final.
September 18, 2023

Jerry Jones Courts FIFA President, Eyes World Cup Final at AT&T Stadium

Gianni Infantino visited AT&T Stadium, fueling 2026 World Cup Final speculation.
Players from Spain’s World Cup-winning team confirming their plans to miss upcoming national team matches.
September 15, 2023

Spain's Women's World Cup Winners Continue Boycott Amid Leadership Turmoil

Players will miss upcoming national team matches.