In Haifa’s Neot Peres neighborhood, where the golden glow of Sammy Ofer Stadium lights up the night, groundskeeper Yossi Cohen polishes seats, readying the 30,942-capacity venue for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. Commencing June 29, the stadium will host eight matches, drawing 30,000 international soccer fans to this coastal city, boosting its $1.5 billion tourism sector. “It’s our moment to shine,” said Cohen, a Maccabi Haifa fan, as he sweeps the pitch hosting clubs like Real Madrid.
The tournament, featuring 32 elite teams, will see Sammy Ofer, opened in 2014, host group stage games and a quarterfinal, per FIFA. Haifa, home to Maccabi and Hapoel Haifa, is no stranger to big matches—Hen Ezra’s 2014 goal christened the stadium with a 4-2 win. Now, with its 72-square-meter screens and 220-camera security system, the venue is prepping for global eyes. Hotels like the Garden Hotel, near the stadium, are booked at 90% capacity, per Haifa’s tourism board, with restaurants adding staff.
But challenges loom. Oil prices, up 12% to $90 a barrel due to Israel-Iran clashes, have spiked airfares by 15%, per IATA, worrying fans like Sofia Levy from Tel Aviv. She said “Flights from Europe are steep,” planning her trip. Recent soccer-related disturbance in Amsterdam, where Maccabi Tel Aviv fans clashed, has heightened security concerns. Haifa’s police are deploying 1,000 officers, and the stadium’s Metronit station will run 24/7, offering 6,500 parking spots.
Locals are excited but cautious. “It’ll boost our city, but safety’s key,” said café owner Jamal Haddad, stocking extra hummus. Yona Yahav, Haifa’s mayor, is promoting cultural events, like beach festivals, to charm visitors. He said “We’re more than a stadium,”. Fans expect electric atmospheres, recalling Israel’s 3-0 Euro 2016 qualifier win here, though Gaza war tensions may prompt protests.
What’s next? Diplomacy could ease travel costs, drawing more fans. Haifa aims to leverage the event for long-term tourism growth. Can the city deliver a world-class experience? For now, as Cohen tends the pitch and Levy books her ticket, Haifa buzzes, ready to welcome the world.
