Fifa is charging up to $11,000 (£8,333) for tickets to the World Cup final, as the latest phase of ticket sales reveals significant price increases for in-demand seats. The most expensive tickets, in the top category, were previously set at £6,615, but prices have now risen on the open market.
The cheapest available tickets for the final, category three, have increased to £4,386. The sales process was also hit by a technical glitch, with many games not available when the “last-minute sales phase” opened, according to the Associated Press. Fans experienced long queues and some were redirected to a different sales phase.
Fifa confirmed the ticketing system was not working properly and said additional tickets would be released on a rolling basis. The Football Supporters' Association criticised the “ridiculous” pricing, with a spokesperson calling it the most expensive World Cup in history for travelling supporters.
Tickets on general sale will be subject to dynamic pricing, making in-demand games more expensive. Fifa will also operate its own resale market, allowing sellers to charge above face value for games in the US and Canada, and taking a 30 per cent commission. Football Supporters Europe and Euroconsumers have lodged a formal complaint with the European Commission over Fifa's ticketing policies.
