Featured image credit: Visit Qatar on Unsplash
FIFA World Cup attendances for the first round of group stage matches amounted to 94% compared to stadium capacities for the event.
The World Cup in Qatar has also sold over three million tickets, with the highest attendance from the opening round going to the match between Brazil and Serbia at Lusail Stadium (pictured) on November 24, which stood at 88,103.
On the same day, the FIFA Fan Festival in Doha’s Al Bidda Park also achieved its highest accumulative attendance, with a total of 98,000 fans throughout the day.
Fans are able to watch every FIFA World Cup game on giant screens at the festival and enjoy free entertainment between games.
Last week, FIFA also clarified the official capacities and tournament requirements for each stadium after viewers were confused by the high attendances compared to capacities.
FIFA confirmed that capacities for Qatar’s stadium were in line, and in some cases above, the requirements provided by the governing body. FIFA requests that venues hosting the final match, opening game and semi-finals host a minimum of 80,000 and 60,000 spectators.
Lusail Stadium can accommodate 88,966 spectators while Al Bayt Stadium can host up to 68,895.
For other matches, FIFA requires a minimum of 40,000 capacity.
Capacity figures were finalised after all operational arrangements were made, from the final seating map to temporary infrastructure to accommodate media, broadcasters and guests.
The World Cup will run until December 18.
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