Henry Ross '27// THE LOYALIST
HENRY ROSS '27 ATTENDS Paris Saint Germain's match against Atletico Madrid
As the World Cup in the United States approaches, this summer’s Club World Cup served as a glimpse of the future.
The tournament took place at multiple stadiums across the country, showcasing the world-class venues and fan bases that can be expected this summer. Some of the best clubs in the world, including Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Chelsea and Atlético de Madrid, competed in front of packed crowds.
Several of these matches were played at the famous Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, which was flooded with fans from across the globe. With these supporters, the true culture of soccer was on full display. Fans chanted songs, lit flares and brought traditions from their home teams, filling the stadium with an electric environment for both fans and players.
Multiple Loyola students and faculty attended the event, including Dominic Brouses ’27, who shared his personal experience at the PSG vs. Botafogo match. “The Botafogo team was especially amped up; they had drums, chants and were extremely loud.”
The venue itself only added to the noise. Unlike the stadiums of visiting teams, the Rose Bowl boasts nearly 90,000 seats, resulting in season attendance records for two of the world’s top teams: Paris Saint-Germain and Atlético de Madrid. Although the crowds brought an unforgettable experience, many fans noted long lines on their way into the stadium, resulting in many arriving after kickoff. For some, these delays raised questions about how U.S. venues will manage even larger turnouts when the World Cup arrives.
“It was extremely hot, especially since our seats were directly in the sun,” Brouses continued. With temperatures reaching upward of 90 degrees throughout the games, the California climate proved to be an issue. Concerns were expressed by both fans and players at the tournament, with multiple coaches speaking out against the early time slots.
Similarly, many Rose Bowl attendees had mixed reactions about the future. “The tournament created expectations and energy … [and] was a good, cheap opportunity to see the best,” said economics teacher Brian Held ‘93, “but I am worried the World Cup might be expensive because it’s such a huge event.”
Overall, the Club World Cup served as the perfect rehearsa for next summer, showcasing fans’ excitement, as portrayed in the enthusiasm of Held and Brouse, while revealing concerns around affordability, accessibility and comfort. As the countdown to 2026 continues, Loyola students can expect an unmatched presentation of pure culture.