FIFA president reacts to criticism about World Cup ticket prices
WASHINGTON (TNND) — Eight years of preparation have led up to the FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Unfortunately, many fans can’t afford to attend.
Eight years of preparation have led up to the FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. Unfortunately, many fans can’t afford to attend. (TNND)
This year’s World Cup is the most expensive for fans in tournament history. When asked about the high ticket prices on Tuesday, FIFA president Gianni Infantino downplayed fans’ frustration about being priced out.
“You know, they are not angry when they have to watch other sports in the U.S., of which the prices are actually much higher than the World Cup prices,” Infantino told CNBC.
Last September, before tickets went on sale, FIFA said the lowest price for a group stage game ticket would be $60 and the most expensive ticket for the final game would be $6,730. However, the caveat was that once ticket sales started, FIFA would use dynamic pricing – the higher the demand, the higher the price.
As of Wednesday, the cheapest group stage ticket was $167 for a match between Cabo Verde and Saudi Arabia. On StubHub, the most expensive ticket to the championship game was almost $67,000.
The astronomical rise could arguably be justified if tickets were sold out, but they’re not – not even close. According to FIFA data compiled by the Financial Times, between official resale platforms and FIFA’s direct listings, nearly 200,000 tickets were still available Wednesday, one day before the World Cup begins. The U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team’s opening game against Paraguay had 4,400 available tickets.
Until this week, tickets for that match started at $1,000. In an interview with the New York Post last month, President Donald Trump, a billionaire, said that’s too steep.
“I would certainly like to be there, but I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you,” Trump said.
On Wednesday, Trump told reporters he would attend the World Cup but did not offer specifics.
Attorneys general of tournament host states, New York, New Jersey, California and Texas have launched investigations into FIFA’s ticket sale practices. They’re digging into pricing as well as reports of fans paying for specific seats only to learn they have a worse view than they were allegedly led to believe.
“No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will be the ones they receive,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James who, along with New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, issued subpoenas to FIFA last month.