Bon Jovi to Perform Live at FIFA Club World Cup Opening Ceremony
June 6, 2025
Global rock legends Bon Jovi are set to headline the opening ceremony of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025, bringing their electric stage presence and decades of hit anthems to one of the world’s most celebrated football tournaments. The performance will take place at the grand opening ceremony in New York City on June 15, marking the first time the band has performed live at a major FIFA event.
With the United States hosting the Club World Cup for the first time, FIFA is aiming to blend global football culture with American entertainment, and few acts capture that spirit better than Bon Jovi. The band, led by frontman Jon Bon Jovi, will perform live in front of an estimated crowd of 70,000 fans at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, with millions more watching around the world.
Rock Meets the Beautiful Game
FIFA President Gianni Infantino called Bon Jovi’s involvement a “monumental moment” for the tournament and a powerful way to kick off the expanded Club World Cup, which now features 32 teams from across the globe.
“Bon Jovi is a symbol of American music excellence, and their presence at the opening ceremony will bring a dynamic and unforgettable energy,” Infantino said in a statement. “This performance will unite football fans and music lovers in celebration of sport, culture, and global connection.”
The ceremony will precede the tournament’s opening match between reigning UEFA Champions League winners Real Madrid and CONCACAF champions Club América. Fans can expect a full-scale multimedia show with fireworks, drone displays, interactive fan choreography, and a surprise appearance from football legends.
A Career Full of Anthems
With over 130 million albums sold worldwide, Bon Jovi has produced anthems that span generations. From “Livin’ on a Prayer” to “It’s My Life” and “Always,” the band’s catalog is filled with high-energy crowd favorites. For the FIFA Club World Cup, they are expected to perform a special medley, including a new track titled “One World, One Goal,” written exclusively for the tournament.
Jon Bon Jovi expressed his excitement in an interview with Billboard earlier this week:
“Soccer, or football as the world calls it, has become a uniting force for so many cultures. To be part of the opening ceremony of the FIFA Club World Cup on home soil, and to perform for fans from around the world, is an incredible honor. We’ve got a few surprises planned—and trust me, it’s going to rock.”
The band will be joined on stage by local dancers, youth choirs, and a troupe of international performers representing each of the continents participating in the competition.
Cultural Crossroads
This year’s Club World Cup is being touted as a “festival of football,” with events scheduled across host cities including Miami, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Chicago. But the opening ceremony is expected to be the marquee moment that sets the tone for the month-long spectacle.
FIFA’s Director of Events, Maria Fernandez, highlighted the importance of merging global traditions:
“We want to blend the soul of football with the vibrancy of American entertainment. Bon Jovi brings both nostalgia and timeless energy that will reach fans from São Paulo to Seoul, Madrid to Melbourne.”
Bon Jovi’s selection follows a growing trend of high-profile artists taking center stage at major international tournaments. From Shakira’s “Waka Waka” at the 2010 World Cup to Dua Lipa’s 2018 UEFA Champions League Final performance, music has become a crucial ingredient in building the global spectacle of football.
A Star-Studded Audience
Among the expected attendees are U.S. President Kamala Harris, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, FIFA ambassadors David Beckham and Ronaldo Nazário, and numerous celebrities from the world of music, sports, and film. The opening ceremony will be broadcast live on major networks including FOX Sports, BBC, beIN SPORTS, and streamed via FIFA+.
Security will be tight, with over 3,000 personnel managing the event and surrounding areas. MetLife Stadium, which also hosted Super Bowl XLVIII and WrestleMania 35, is being upgraded with state-of-the-art visual tech to support the concert and match night experience.
What to Expect
The full program of the opening ceremony remains under wraps, but sources close to the organizing committee suggest the show will run approximately 30 minutes, leading into a 45-minute warm-up ahead of kickoff. Bon Jovi’s segment is expected to last around 12 minutes and feature at least four songs.
Fans inside the stadium will also be given LED wristbands that light up in sync with the performance, creating a sea of color that represents the participating clubs and nations.
A Night to Remember
For Bon Jovi fans and football lovers alike, June 15 is shaping up to be an unforgettable night. It’s a moment where sport and music will converge on the global stage, opening a tournament that promises fierce competition and thrilling narratives.
As Jon Bon Jovi famously sang, “We’re halfway there”—and now, the journey begins, with rock ’n’ roll leading the charge.
