This Sunday, an unprecedented and ambitious edition of the Club World Cup kicks off in the United States, promising not only spectacle on the pitch, but also a Super Bowl-worthy staging. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, the two Spanish giants in contention, will not only face heavyweight opponents such as Al Hilal, Pachuca, PSG and Botafogo, but will do so in authentic cathedrals of North American sport. Iconic stadiums, with capacity for tens of thousands of spectators, state-of-the-art technology and a history that breathes soccer, NFL, concerts and great sporting feats. Cristiano Ronaldo shows a rare side of him after celebrating the UEFA Nations League title Hard Rock Stadium Real Madrid will begin their journey against Al Hilal at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, a stadium that is synonymous with spectacle. Inaugurated in 1987 and completely renovated in 2016, this 65,000-seater colossus is home to the NFL's Miami Dolphins, but has also hosted multiple international matches, including the Clasico between Real Madrid and Barcelona in 2017. Beyond the grass, Hard Rock Stadium offers a VIP experience in every corner: luxury boxes, premium hospitality areas, 360-degree giant screens and acoustics designed to make every roar of the crowd rumble like thunder. Bank of America Stadium Real Madrid's second match will take them to Charlotte, where they will face Pachuca at the Bank of America Stadium. This venue, home to the Carolina Panthers and Charlotte FC of MLS, has a capacity of 74,000 spectators and is considered one of the most modern stadiums in the southeastern United States. With a perfectly manicured natural grass pitch and top-notch technological infrastructure, this stadium will be a real test for the Whites against a Mexican opponent that knows what it is like to compete at the highest international level. The location, in the heart of the city, makes every game in Charlotte an urban festival, and thousands of Madrid fans are expected to flock from all along the East Coast. Lincoln Financial Field Real Madrid's group stage will conclude at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia against RB Salzburg. This stadium, which opened in 2003 and has a capacity of 69,000, has hosted Gold Cup matches, international friendlies and NFL games, where the Philadelphia Eagles are the home team. Philadelphia has a passionate and dedicated fan base, and although it has traditionally been more closely linked to American football, the city has shown an excellent response whenever international soccer has touched its soil. The 'Linc', as the locals call it, offers a combination of American sporting tradition and openness to global soccer. Rose Bowl If there is one stadium that exudes history from every brick, it is the Rose Bowl. Located in Pasadena, California, it will be the venue where Atletico Madrid will play two of their three group matches: against PSG and Botafogo. This 92,000-seater stadium hosted the 1994 World Cup final between Brazil and Italy, and also hosted key matches in the 1999 Women's World Cup. It is one of the most legendary sporting venues in the United States, and its open architecture, surrounded by mountains and palm trees, makes it a cinematic setting. Lumen Field Atletico's only trip outside of California will be to Seattle, where they will face the Seattle Sounders at the impressive Lumen Field. This 68,000-seater stadium is known for its hellish atmosphere. The Sounders boast one of the most loyal and noisy fan bases in North American soccer, and the stadium was built with acoustics that enhance sound like few others in the world. Seattle breathes soccer like few cities in the United States, and the clash between Atletico and the locals promises to be a clash of soccer cultures.
