Rose Bowl conditions concern fans following complaints regarding extreme heat and lack of drinking water.
Club World Cup fans tell of ‘dangerous’ Rose Bowl conditions amid heat and lack of water.
Conditions for spectators at Sunday’s Club World Cup match between Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California, have been called “dangerous” and “horrific” after fans found it difficult to obtain water and found themselves in crowded quarters with temperatures in the stadium reaching at least 31C/88F.
People in distress within the arena, lineups that lasted forty-five minutes to get access to water that was for sale, and the requirement to discard of full water bottles before entering the ground have all been reported by supporters.
One fan, who had been to Rose Bowl events several times before, got in touch to complain about the “poorly run experience,” which they claimed made them hesitant to go to the World Cup the following year.
“There was no way to simply buy water,” said John Celmins, a resident of Santa Barbara, of the match which kicked off at midday in California. “You could go to a beer-only stand but there were no water stands and no extra water stations. There were long lines at every vendor and even at the drinking fountains.”
“People were filling up their cups [with water] and throwing them all over each other’s back,” he said. “Luckily they had those misting stations by the bathroom area, so people were swarming under there, taking turns.”
According to the stadium’s website, reusable water bottles as long as they are empty and unopened or empty disposable water bottles are both permitted.
However, the Rose Bowl website also notes that rules can vary based on the event, and in this instance, FIFA’s instructions seem to be taking precedent. According to the FIFA Club World Cup rule of conduct, “empty, transparent, reusable plastic bottles” up to one litre are permitted, but all other kinds of bottles—aside from those required for medical purposes or infant bottles—are expressly prohibited.
Five more Club World Cup group stage games are scheduled to take place at the Rose Bowl, including Atletico Madrid vs. Botafogo on June 23. The match is scheduled to start at noon local time, just like Atletico’s encounter against PSG. The stadium is not a 2026 World Cup destination, however it did hold the World Cup finals in 1994 and 1999.