Fans hoping to see their favourite team compete in the United States during this summer's FIFA World Cup may have been deterred by inflated ticket prices. However, there is encouraging news: resale ticket prices have dropped significantly in recent weeks, according to TicketData. The website monitors resale ticket prices and provides the average 'get-in' price, which represents the cheapest available resale ticket for a given event.
Price Trends for Group-Stage Matches
The average 'get-in' price for a World Cup group-stage match hovered around $550 over the last week, according to TicketData. This marks a substantial decrease from April, when the average cost exceeded $700. Despite this overall decline, fans may still need to pay thousands of dollars to attend the most anticipated matches in the U.S.
High-Demand Matches Command Premiums
One such match is the Colombia vs Portugal group-stage game scheduled for June 27 in Florida. According to TicketData, the 'get-in' price for this game has surged past $2,500. This is Colombia's only group-stage match on U.S. soil, driving demand. Interestingly, this price point is even higher than the two semi-final games, which both have 'get-in' prices under $2,300 as of Friday.
On the other end of the spectrum, some matches are relatively affordable. For example, fans can see Austria vs Jordan in Santa Clara, California, or Bosnia-Herzegovina vs Qatar in Seattle for around $200, according to TicketData.
The Final Remains the Most Expensive
The World Cup final at New Jersey's MetLife Stadium continues to be the priciest event, with TicketData listing a 'get-in' price above $8,000. However, many resellers are charging significantly higher prices, reaching five, six, and even seven figures. Last month, four final match tickets were listed at just under $2.3 million each on FIFA's official resale website. FIFA does not control the prices on its resale site, though it does take a portion of sales.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino addressed the high resale prices earlier this month at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills. He stated, 'If some people put on the resale market some tickets for the final at $2 million, number one, it doesn't mean that the tickets cost $2 million, and number two, it doesn't mean that somebody will buy these tickets. And if somebody buys a ticket for the final for $2 million, I will personally bring a hot dog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience.'
Efforts to Make Tickets More Accessible
For residents of New York City, there is a unique opportunity to secure cheap seats. Mayor Zohran Mamdani secured 1,000 World Cup tickets priced at just $50 each for city residents. A lottery to win the chance to purchase these tickets opens Monday morning. However, these bargain-priced tickets cannot be used for the final. Each ticket includes a free round-trip bus ride to MetLife Stadium.
The $50 tickets come amid growing concern over FIFA's direct ticket pricing. Earlier this month, Representatives Nellie Pou and Frank Pallone, both Democrats from New Jersey, wrote to Infantino demanding more information about FIFA's pricing practices by May 22. They expressed deep concern over reports that FIFA is employing opaque pricing, shifting rules, and potentially deceptive practices that make it difficult for fans to access seats.
Even President Donald Trump has commented on the high ticket costs. When asked about four-figure prices earlier this month, he told The New York Post, 'I wouldn't pay it either, to be honest with you.'
The Independent has contacted FIFA for comment. Amid the uproar over ticket prices, Infantino continues to defend his organization, stating that FIFA is charging 'market rates.' He explained, 'We have to look at the market; we are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world. So we have to apply market rates. In the U.S. it is permitted to resell tickets as well. So if you were to sell tickets at the price which is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price.'
