"Million-Dollar Tickets, Empty Seats: How Fifa's New Pricing Model is Leaving Fans Behind"
As the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup approaches, fans are faced with a daunting reality: tickets to the tournament are out of reach for all but a privileged few. The World Cup, once an event accessible to people from all walks of life, has become a pricey spectacle reserved primarily for the wealthy and well-connected.
According to Leander Schaerlaeckens, a journalist who attempted to purchase tickets in the first round of sales, the average group stage ticket price is expected to be around $305 - seven years after Fifa initially promised an average price of just $21. The reality, however, is far more expensive, with category 3 tickets costing up to $465 per game.
Schaerlaeckens' experience highlights the challenges faced by everyday fans trying to buy tickets for the tournament. In his case, he managed to secure five group-stage tickets at a cost of nearly $1,900, but then encountered difficulties transferring them to another fan due to Fifa's complex and often glitchy system.
The financial burden is significant, with some games costing upwards of $2,000 per ticket, including parking and other expenses. For fans from lower-income countries or regions, the prospect of attending a game in North America is all but impossible, given the added expense of flights and accommodation.
As Schaerlaeckens notes, Fifa's pricing model seems designed to exclude those who are not already part of the wealthy elite. With millions of tickets sold in the first phase, it remains to be seen whether there will be any sense of community or atmosphere at the games, as they may be filled with attendees from more affluent backgrounds.
Ultimately, the 2026 World Cup appears to be an event for the 1%, leaving a significant portion of the fanbase behind. As one teacher revealed, even those who are passionate about soccer and desperate to attend the tournament are priced out due to the exorbitant cost of tickets. It's a stark reminder that Fifa's new pricing model may be more interested in lining the pockets of sponsors than in creating an inclusive and accessible experience for fans from around the world.
As the highly anticipated 2026 World Cup approaches, fans are faced with a daunting reality: tickets to the tournament are out of reach for all but a privileged few. The World Cup, once an event accessible to people from all walks of life, has become a pricey spectacle reserved primarily for the wealthy and well-connected.
According to Leander Schaerlaeckens, a journalist who attempted to purchase tickets in the first round of sales, the average group stage ticket price is expected to be around $305 - seven years after Fifa initially promised an average price of just $21. The reality, however, is far more expensive, with category 3 tickets costing up to $465 per game.
Schaerlaeckens' experience highlights the challenges faced by everyday fans trying to buy tickets for the tournament. In his case, he managed to secure five group-stage tickets at a cost of nearly $1,900, but then encountered difficulties transferring them to another fan due to Fifa's complex and often glitchy system.
The financial burden is significant, with some games costing upwards of $2,000 per ticket, including parking and other expenses. For fans from lower-income countries or regions, the prospect of attending a game in North America is all but impossible, given the added expense of flights and accommodation.
As Schaerlaeckens notes, Fifa's pricing model seems designed to exclude those who are not already part of the wealthy elite. With millions of tickets sold in the first phase, it remains to be seen whether there will be any sense of community or atmosphere at the games, as they may be filled with attendees from more affluent backgrounds.
Ultimately, the 2026 World Cup appears to be an event for the 1%, leaving a significant portion of the fanbase behind. As one teacher revealed, even those who are passionate about soccer and desperate to attend the tournament are priced out due to the exorbitant cost of tickets. It's a stark reminder that Fifa's new pricing model may be more interested in lining the pockets of sponsors than in creating an inclusive and accessible experience for fans from around the world.
this new FIFA ticket pricing is straight up ridiculous! i mean, $305 avg price per game 7 yrs ago? what happened to that promise? now it's like they're trying to keep it exclusive to super rich folks 
and middle class people from other countries can't even get in due to those crazy flight & accommodation costs 
. shouldn't soccer be for everyone not just the elite? 
it's like they're pricing out the very people who love soccer the most unfortunately it looks like only the wealthy and well connected are gonna be able to experience this massive event 
, it's like Fifa is tryin' to price out the average fan. $305 a ticket? Are they kidding me? That's just ridiculous! 
This new pricing model is straight up greedy and it needs to change ASAP 
I'm so worried about this... it's like, I get it, FIFA needs to make money, but come on! 
The prices are just crazy! $2k+ per ticket is insane! 
Can't FIFA find a way to make tickets more affordable? Maybe they could offer more group stage games or something... I don't know, but it feels like they're just looking out for themselves and their sponsors instead of the fans. 
now its like fifa is just catering to the wealthy elite and forgetting about everyone else 
. If you're not willing to pay, don't go. It's that simple 
.
i feel for all those fans from lower-income countries or regions who will never get to experience the magic of the world cup in person. it's just not right 
. It's not just about the tickets themselves, it's about the community and atmosphere that comes with watching live football together 
.
instead of being there in person. It's like fifa thinks we're not even worth the effort to try and get tickets for us. I'm just hoping some grassroots groups or organizations can find a way to make it happen for regular people, not just the ultra-rich who can afford it 
.
And don't even get me started on the category 3 tickets, that's like throwing money out the window. I mean, what's the point of having a massive event if only the rich and famous can afford to attend? It's so not inclusive. 
- only rich people get to enjoy it, poor folks are priced out 
and if you're from a lower-income country, forget about it, bro 
. It's all about lining the pockets of sponsors and creating an atmosphere that's more exclusive than inclusive 
. I mean, who needs community when you can have a bunch of wealthy dudes cheering on their favorite teams in North America? Not impressed, Fifa 
.
the price of fifa tickets is getting crazy i mean i get it they need to make some money but 2k a ticket thats out of reach for so many people its like they forgot that soccer is supposed to be for everyone not just the rich 
- The quote is not directly related to this news but kinda makes you think why should soccer be out of reach for so many people? 