All Access supports First-of-Its-Kind Halftime Show for FIFA CLUB World Cup Finals
All Access had the honor of supporting a milestone event this summer: the inaugural FIFA Club World Cup Halftime Show at MetLife Stadium. Produced by Global Citizen, the event marked FIFA’s first foray into a halftime spectacle.
Unlike many halftime shows, this performance took place in the stands rather than on the field. The set design and staging had to accommodate a fully live show in a space with limited access, minimal rigging options, and very little overhead clearance.
That’s where All Access came in.
Custom Solutions for a Unique Setup
Our team tackled a complex set of site-specific challenges. We designed and installed custom rigging points that utilized the facility steel, allowing us to hang both a large LED screen over the stage and a second screen in front of the MetLife sign. These rigging points needed to be as high as possible while maintaining safety and structural integrity.
Above the main stage, we built a custom truss structure that followed the 66-foot radius curve of the platform. This allowed the video product to be mounted cleanly and at maximum height, creating a seamless visual presentation without sacrificing screen space.
The staging itself involved a variety of custom decks, curved staircases, escape stairs, and handrails. A highlight was the sculptural staircase that connected the main “Global Stage” to the lower “Citizen Stage,” giving the performers a dynamic space to move between levels during the show.
Heavy Lifting in Tough Conditions
The load-in spanned two and a half weeks, with gear arriving in six trucks, not including additional equipment from our New Jersey location. Because of the location in the stands, every piece of gear had to be carried by hand from the 300-level concourse into place—approximately 40,000 pounds of equipment moved one item at a time.
Early load-in days saw temperatures soar above 104°F, with high humidity throughout the build. Later, rehearsals were impacted by near-daily lightning delays, and load-out ended with a major downpour. Despite all that, the build came together thanks to the expertise and resilience of our team.
Collaboration in Action
Behind the scenes, this show was powered by a massive collaborative effort. Our New Jersey shop played a critical role in fielding last-minute changes in real time. Special thanks to Jennifer Davies, our East Coast GM, and her entire team for delivering under pressure.
On site, 10 All Access supervisors led 25 to 75 local stagehands through an ever-evolving build process. Our team also worked closely with engineering partner Clark Reder, as well as FPA and Thornton Tomasetti.
The production was made possible through close collaboration with our clients and partners: Tony Hauser and Theatrical Resources, C2W Rigging, Fuse Video, DPS, Global Citizen, and FIFA. Big thanks to everyone involved, including every member of our onsite and shop teams who made this show a success.
A Memorable Debut
As is often the case with live productions, there were unexpected changes right up to the last moment. But thanks to the professionalism and grit of every person on site, the result was a stunning halftime moment that reached a global audience and helped usher in a new era of entertainment for FIFA. We’re proud to have played a part in this groundbreaking event and grateful to the crew who gave it their all.
Behind the scenes, a huge amount of creativity, innovation, and technical expertise went into making this new modular stage system a success. Every detail, from the structural integrity of the stage to the flexibility of its design, was meticulously planned to ensure it could meet the diverse demands of Super Bowl week.
Photos: Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for Global Citizen / DPS
Thank you!
- DPS
- FIFA
- Global Citizen
- Tony Hauser and Theatrical Resources
- C2W Rigging
- Fuse Video
- The entire All Access team, including Jennifer Davies and the NJ office
