There were a reported 48,863 empty seats in the stadium as Chelsea defeated LAFC, but the TV viewing figures back in the UK exceeded expectations. Channel 5 purchased the rights to air 23 Club World Cup games from DAZN.

Pedro Neto scored in the first half and Enzo Fernández in the 79th minute to give Chelsea a 2-0 win over LAFC at the Club World Cup.

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca said the atmosphere at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta was "a bit strange" as his side began their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 win over Los Angeles FC in front of swathes of empty seats.