Unique city with 2 stadiums hosting FIFA Club World Cup

Orlando is the only city in the state of Florida, USA with 2 football stadiums that will host 6 matches of the FIFA Club World Cup next June.

What is so attractive that FIFA chooses to play the World Cup for clubs?

From the dramatic moments on the pitch to the diverse cultures of the competing nations, the World Cup always brings fans unforgettable experiences. Especially when the world club tournament will take place in the United States for the first time.

A month before the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup kicks off in the United States, I am in Orlando, a beautiful, peaceful city in the state of Florida in the southeastern United States. This place is well known for its many famous tourist attractions, one of which is Walt Disney World, a cultural and entertainment project and a highlight of the US tourism industry.

Getting lost here is like a maze because it is so large and massive, every day it is crowded with visitors from all over the place, with a long line of people coming in to have fun, eat, shop, live and celebrate the festival.

Inter&Co football field is located right in the center, surrounded by beautiful roads, around the field are images of players playing for the 2 Orlando men's and women's football teams.

PHOTO: TK

But this summer, Orlando will be known for being the only city that offers something unique to soccer lovers. Orlando is the only place with two stadiums hosting the FIFA Club World Cup. Of the 11 cities in the United States chosen by FIFA to host the 32 top clubs in the world, there are 12 stadiums and Orlando is the only place with two, including Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium.

Other cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Seattle, Philadelphia, Miami, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Nashville, Atlanta and even Washington DC, each have only one stadium. Meanwhile, Orlando has become a unique phenomenon because it has two stadiums that have the honor of hosting the world's top teams, including Juventus and Manchester City.

Panorama of Camping World

PHOTO: TK

It is no coincidence that Orlando has two stadiums chosen. FIFA has considered and weighed very carefully, first of all the historical factor. When deciding to let the first ever global club tournament take place in the United States, as an experiment for next year's World Cup, FIFA gave priority to cities with stadiums on the east coast of the United States with suitable weather and always full audiences.

Camping World Stadium, built in 1936, is a sports facility with a long tradition, solidity, ensuring high security and safety. It was the venue for 5 matches of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, such as the group stage matches Belgium-Morocco (1-0), Belgium-Netherlands (1-0), Mexico-Ireland (2-1), Netherlands-Morocco (2-1) and the round of 16 matches Netherlands-Ireland (2-0). In addition, there were matches within the framework of the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, including matches between the reigning men's champion Nigeria and women's champion USA.

In front of the field are historical images and memorabilia of the football field.

PHOTO: TK

But besides that, the Inter&Co stadium, which was newly built in 2014 and put into use in early 2017, is still very new and very modern. This is the home stadium of Orlando City (men) and Orlando Pride (women) clubs participating in the US MLS national championship. The stadium is also often chosen by the US Soccer Association to host matches in the 2018 and 2022 World Cup qualifiers, such as the US's 4-0 and 5-1 wins over Panama, the 2021 and 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup matches, and has hosted some Copa America 2024 matches.

In early 2025, this was the stadium where the World Cup host, the US, beat Costa Rica 3-0, and on May 28, Honduras will play Gambia.

Outside Camping World

PHOTO: TK

The facilities are extremely spacious and fully equipped, with a very professional maintenance system from the field to the stands, from the surrounding works to the convenience of traffic, and located in the center (downtown), so this will certainly attract a large number of spectators. Therefore, in addition to the traditional and historical factors, if the Camping World stadium with a capacity of more than 60,000 people is still organized in a systematic manner, the Inter&Co stadium with 4 sides of the stands covered with a roof to welcome about 25,000 spectators, is considered suitable for FIFA to exploit for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

Photo of Brazilian female player Mata (right), 39 years old, FIFA Ballon d'Or winner, playing for the Orlando women's team. Next to her image is Banda (Zambia)

PHOTO: TK

Contrast between 2 football fields

The first thing that caught my eye at Camping World Stadium was the large, massive campus. The stadium is located right in the city center, surrounded by beautiful, straight roads. Outside is a large, cool lake and surrounded by lots of green trees.

In fact, this was not originally a soccer field but a football field, built nearly a century ago (next year marks its 90th anniversary) with a design for this sport that is loved by Americans. But gradually, as soccer penetrated the United States and the American team began to regularly participate in world tournaments, the appeal of soccer began to grow, so the field was also used to organize matches. The climax was when the United States hosted the USA World Cup in 1994 and then the 1996 Olympics.

Author in front of Inter&Co football field

From the outside, the stadium looks quite old. Apart from the words Camping World Stadium running in front of the stadium and the image of Martin Luther King, a historical figure fighting for human rights and against racial discrimination, outside the gate, there is nothing special about the stadium. But the structure of the stands and the infrastructure system are very sturdy and solid. The walkways are very airy with old-style architecture. Because the stadium is being renovated for the upcoming tournament, visitors are not allowed inside. But the feeling about this stadium can only be described as "historical value".

Camping World football field looks old

Photo:TK

The grandstand is purple and very luxurious and modern.

PHOTO: ORLANDO CITY

As for Inter&Co Stadium, it is completely different. Because it is a newly built stadium, everything exudes majesty, spaciousness and modernity. The unique feature of this stadium is that from the outside to the inside, it is covered in purple, symbolizing "loyal and passionate love". From afar, the purple color of the stadium catches everyone's eyes with an indescribable attraction. Even the paths leading to the stadium are filled with purple flowers, the road signs are also purple, the tree stumps with pictures of each male and female player couple of Orlando City Club are also purple, the souvenir shops are also purple, the stands are also purple, the functional room systems and many other facilities are also purple. All exude elegance but no less luxurious, charming and powerful.

Purple throughout Inter&Co stadium

PHOTO: T.,K

In particular, the two stadiums are very close to each other, within a radius of less than 4 km, making it very convenient for teams and spectators to come and compete and witness the matches. Of the 6 matches that these two stadiums will host, the most exciting will be the group stage match at Camping World Stadium between Juventus and Man City on June 26. It is known that tickets for the match have been put on sale by FIFA and it is estimated that there will be more than 60,000 spectators. Both Juventus and Man City are familiar with this stadium, as 2 years ago Juventus beat Real Madrid 3-1 and in 2024, Man City drew 2-2 with Barca in a friendly match in the US before the new season.

Other matches taking place at Camping World Stadium include Los Angeles FC (USA) or Club America of Mexico against Flamengo of Brazil on June 24, a round of 16 match between the winner of Group G and the runner-up of Group H and a quarter-final match. Meanwhile, at Inter & Co Stadium, there are two matches between Ulsan Hyundai (South Korea) and Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa) on June 17 and Benfica (Portugal) and Auckland City (New Zealand) on June 20.

Author in front of Camping World football field

PHOTO: TK

Orlando soccer team apparel and souvenir booth

PHOTO: TK

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/doc-la-thanh-pho-duy-nhat-co-2-san-bong-dang-cai-fifa-club-world-cup-185250514060201838.htm