FIFA’s inaugural Club World Cup 2025 halftime show featured global superstars J Balvin, Doja Cat, Tems, and Emmanuel Kelly, with the segment curated by Chris Martin of Coldplay and produced in partnership with Global Citizen.
The event supported the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise USD 100 million for education, with $1 per ticket sold donated to the cause.
Who performed?
- J Balvin – Colombian reggaetón superstar
- Doja Cat – Grammy-winning American rapper and singer
- Tems – Nigerian artist and double-Grammy winner
- Emmanuel Kelly – Australian singer, first differently-abled pop artist
All four delivered high-energy performances at MetLife Stadium during halftime.
FIFA and Global Citizen did not disclose any fees paid to the performers:
- Global Citizen specials are generally pro bono, with artists often donating performances to support charitable causes.
- One dollar from each ticket was earmarked for education initiatives—suggesting the focus was on fundraising, not artist compensation.
Is it like the Super Bowl?
Unlike the Super Bowl halftime shows, where artists receive no appearance fees but benefit from huge exposure (estimated at $84 million worth of airtime, as with Madonna in 2012), the Club World Cup likely followed a similar model:
- Artists probably did not receive upfront fees.
- They benefited from global visibility, with the show broadcast freely worldwide via DAZN.
What about Michael Buffer?
Notably, Michael Buffer—famed for his “Let’s get ready to rumble!” ring announcements—posed additional financial speculation. While his earnings for major events can reach $1 million per appearance, it remains unclear if he was paid for his Club World Cup role.
