Soccer enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating Thursday for the chance to purchase tickets for World Cup matches, but the revealed prices have dampened their excitement.
The initial ticket sales phase by FIFA kicked off on Thursday, following last week’s World Cup draw that revealed the matchups. This also marked the latest price hike from FIFA, with some ticket prices soaring by hundreds of dollars for specific matches.
Henry Bushnell from The Athletic reported that:
Ticket prices for some Category 1 matches increased from $410 or $445 to $700 last month, affecting games like England vs. Croatia and Scotland vs. Brazil. Data compiled by The Athletic indicated a 71% increase in prices for Category 1 tickets across 80 out of 104 games, while prices dropped in just 11 games.
Category 1 tickets primarily feature seats near the field, although some stadiums offer upper-level seating too. Tickets are classified into four categories, with FIFA claiming that some Category 4 tickets will be available for as low as $60. However, according to a reporter from The Athletic, these cheaper tickets are scarce and will not be available for sale on Thursday.
Prices set by FIFA will remain until January 13th, after which the current lottery phase concludes, and fans will either secure their tickets or receive an email stating they were not selected.
Football Supporters Europe, representing fans’ interests, issued a strong statement condemning the high prices as “exorbitant” and “astronomical,” especially when compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, which saw significant spending on stadium construction.
According to current information from FSE, following a team from the first match to the final would cost supporters a minimum of $6,900, nearly five times the amount needed for the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar.
Fans of the national team will need to pay this full amount early in 2026 for the opportunity to watch their team in the finals.
To further complicate matters, FIFA’s dynamic pricing approach reserves limited Category 4 tickets for general sale, making them less accessible for dedicated fans through their national associations, betraying the traditions of the World Cup and undermining fans’ contributions.
The cost of tickets to the FIFA World Cup is becoming increasingly unaffordable.
(Tassos Katopodis – FIFA, via Getty Images)
This World Cup introduces variable pricing, meaning ticket costs reflect expected demand. While this practice may be familiar to American fans used to NFL ticket prices in these same stadiums, it raises concerns among international fans who feel their treatment differs.
FIFA defended its pricing decisions in a statement to The Athletic.
A FIFA representative stated, “The pricing model… routinely reflects existing market practices for major entertainment and sporting events within a venue, including soccer.”
FIFA also reiterated its not-for-profit status, emphasizing that revenues are reinvested in the growth of football across its 211 member associations.
The World Cup kicks off on June 11th, with matches set to be played across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
Fan Take: The significant ticket price increases could alienate many dedicated fans, making it difficult for them to experience the World Cup live. This trend may not only decrease attendance but also harm the spirit of the tournament, which thrives on fan engagement and passion.
