Soccer fans are urging FIFA to suspend ticket sales for the upcoming World Cup, citing “extortionate” prices that they claim represent a significant departure from the tournament’s long-standing tradition of accessibility. The main ticket ballot for the World Cup, scheduled for March 2024, opened on March 7, offering supporters their first opportunity to purchase tickets following the draw for the initial matches.
FIFA, the global governing body of soccer, has communicated ticket pricing details to its member associations. According to pricing tables shared by various soccer federations, “value” tickets for the World Cup final are set to begin at $4,195 (approximately $6,300), with “standard” seats priced at $5,575 and “premium” options escalating to $8,680. For the group stage match between Qatar and Switzerland in Santa Clara, California, a “standard” ticket will cost $380. Additionally, a “standard” seat for Croatia’s opening match against England in Dallas is priced at $500, while “value” tickets for that game start at $265.
The variation in ticket prices is influenced by the specific match, location, and competing teams. To date, nearly 2 million tickets have been sold during pre-sale ballots, with many priced at hundreds of dollars.
Football Supporters Europe (FSE), an organization representing fan groups, has called for an immediate halt to ticket sales, describing the escalating prices as “astronomical.” In a statement, FSE declared, “This is a monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup, ignoring the contribution of supporters to the spectacle it is.” The organization further urged FIFA to cease sales “until a solution that respects the tradition, universality, and cultural significance of the World Cup is found.”
The FSE estimates that a fan would need to budget at least $6,900 to follow their team from the opening game to the final. This amount is almost five times higher than the equivalent costs during the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
FIFA has faced scrutiny for its decision to implement variable pricing for certain tickets, with prices adjusted based on anticipated demand. The organization has also established its own resale platform, which takes a 15 percent commission from both buyers and sellers. FIFA anticipates generating over $11 billion in revenue during the four years leading up to the World Cup, a significant increase from $7.6 billion during the previous cycle. The tournament is set to expand to include 48 teams, up from 32 in Qatar.
In a recent speech in Washington, United States President Donald Trump praised FIFA President Gianni Infantino for record ticket sales, stating, “I can report to you that we have sold more tickets than any country anywhere in the world at this stage of the game.”
FIFA has been contacted for comment regarding the current situation. Previously, the organization stated that its ticket pricing policy “reflects the existing market practice for major entertainment and sporting events within our hosts” and that fees associated with its resale platform “are aligned with North American industry trends.”
As the tournament approaches, the ongoing debate over ticket accessibility continues to raise questions about the future of the World Cup and its commitment to inclusivity.
