Football schedules have become a mess. If you've been trying to figure out when is the Club World Cup final, you've probably noticed that things aren't as straightforward as they used to be. FIFA basically tore up the old blueprint and replaced it with something massive. We aren't talking about a small seven-team tournament in December anymore.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final took place on Sunday, July 13, 2025.
It was a total circus in the best way possible. For those who missed the live madness or are trying to piece together the history of this revamped tournament, that July date is the anchor. The match kicked off at 3:00 PM local time (EDT) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Reality of the New Schedule
Honestly, the move to a summer slot changed everything. Usually, this tournament was a mid-season distraction that most European fans ignored until the final. By shifting it to June and July, FIFA turned it into a "mini" World Cup. The 2025 edition started on June 14 and ran for a full month.
When people ask about the timing, they often confuse it with the old Intercontinental Cup or the smaller annual versions. But this new 32-team format is the new reality. If you're looking for the next one, keep in mind that FIFA has shifted this to a four-year cycle, much like the international World Cup.
Where the Final Happened
MetLife Stadium wasn't just a random choice. It’s basically becoming the home of big-time soccer in the U.S. ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The stadium was packed with over 81,000 people to watch Chelsea take on Paris Saint-Germain.
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It was a heavy-hitting European affair. Despite the tournament being held in the States and featuring teams from every corner of the globe—from Auckland City to Al Ahly—the final came down to two of the wealthiest clubs in Europe.
Chelsea ended up winning 3-0. Cole Palmer, who has basically become the main character of English football lately, bagged two goals. João Pedro added the third. It’s kinda wild that PSG had 66% of the possession but couldn't do a single thing with it. Typical football, right?
Why the Timing Matters
You’ve gotta realize that the "when" is just as important as the "who." Because the final was held on July 13, it collided with the peak of the summer heat in New Jersey. Players were dealing with 83°F temperatures and high humidity.
- Match Date: July 13, 2025
- Venue: MetLife Stadium, NJ
- Kickoff: 3:00 PM ET
- The Result: Chelsea 3, PSG 0
If you are planning for future editions, expect this mid-July window to be the permanent home for the final. It allows the European leagues to finish their domestic seasons before the players fly out. It’s a grueling schedule, and many players—like those at Real Madrid and Manchester City—complained about the lack of a summer break. But for fans, it meant high-stakes soccer during a month that is usually pretty dry.
Looking Toward 2029
Since the new format is every four years, the next time you'll be asking about the Club World Cup final will be in 2029. FIFA hasn't nailed down the exact host yet, though there’s plenty of chatter about it heading to Australia or perhaps back to the Middle East.
Basically, the tournament has outgrown its "preseason" feel. It’s now a month-long endurance test. If you're looking to catch the next one, you'll want to clear your calendar for that late-June to mid-July window.
The most important takeaway for anyone tracking these dates is to ignore the old December rumors. The "Intercontinental Cup" is now a separate, smaller thing that happens annually. The real Club World Cup—the one with 32 teams and the massive trophy—is now a summer blockbuster.
To keep your calendar straight for the next cycle, start by tracking the continental champions from 2025 through 2028. Those winners, along with the top-ranked teams in the four-year coefficient, will be the ones fighting for a spot in that 2029 final. You can check the current FIFA rankings to see which clubs are already mathematically safe for the next tournament.