Ticket Prices for World Cup Final Spark Outrage Among Fans

Fans Express Shock Over Ticket Costs

Supporters eager to witness the World Cup final next year are facing exorbitant prices, with the least expensive ticket costing several thousand pounds. The fans’ organization, Football Supporters Europe, expressed disbelief at FIFA’s “outrageous” pricing model and is demanding an immediate halt to ticket sales. The Football Supporters’ Association’s England Fans’ Embassy described the pricing as a “disgrace” towards fans.

FIFA has not yet issued any statements regarding its ticket pricing decisions.

Ticket Pricing Structure for the Final

According to sources from BBC Sport, tickets for the final, set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, are divided into three categories:

• Supporter Value Tier: £3,119 ($4,185)
• Supporter Standard Tier: £4,162 ($5,560)
• Supporter Premium Tier: £6,615 ($8,860)

The prices for this prestigious event are reported to be up to seven times higher than those for the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar, where the minimum ticket price was £450. Additionally, there are no discounts available for children or any other groups.

Group Stage Pricing Dependent on Team Popularity

In a shift from previous tournaments, the pricing for group stage matches will reflect the perceived popularity of the teams rather than a uniform pricing structure. Consequently, England supporters may find themselves paying more than Scottish fans. FIFA has yet to clarify the criteria used for determining this “popularity.”

For context, during the Qatar tournament, group stage match prices were established at £68.50, £164.50, and £219. However, ticket prices for England’s game against Croatia on June 17 were set at £198, £373, or £523.

In the England vs. Ghana match, the prices were £164, £320, and £447, while the England vs. Panama match had tickets priced at £164, £346, and £462. Comparatively, Scotland’s initial two group matches are more affordable than England’s. For example, prices for Scotland’s game against Haiti are set at £134, £298, or £372, and for Morocco at £163, £320, or £447. The pricing for Scotland’s final group match against Brazil matches that of England’s encounter with Croatia.

Additional Match Pricing Details

Quarter-final tickets for all teams are priced at £507, £757, and £1,073, while semi-final tickets will cost £686, £1,819, and £2,363. The total cost to attend all eight tournament matches, including the final, is projected to be around £5,225 for an individual, reaching up to £8,580 for mid-tier options, and £12,357 for the highest tier of tickets.

In contrast, tickets for the 2022 tournament would have amounted to £1,466, £2,645, or £3,914, although that included just seven matches.

Ticket Ballot Process

These revelations coincided with the opening of the primary ticket ballot on Thursday afternoon. On Monday, supporters from national clubs will have the opportunity to register for a random draw for single games or to follow their team to the final. Approximately 4,000 tickets for each game will be available through those official supporter groups.

All other tickets will be distributed via the ballot system, aside from those reserved by FIFA for corporate partners. Notably, dynamic pricing will not apply to the main ballot or national association ballots.