FIFA is taking a beating right now. As such, many are calling FIFA’s announcement of ticket prices for the upcoming Women’s World Cup a ” monumental betrayal ” of its traditions. Team owners are ecstatic, but fans are rightfully concerned. That is because the lowest ticket for the final game is an incredible $4,185 with the highest going up to a staggering $8,680. The circumstances surrounding the decision to move have ignited a firestorm of criticism from supporters’ groups and soccer executives.
This new tactic of surge pricing via dynamic pricing was a first at any World Cup. As a result, many fans find themselves pushed away by these new changes. In practice, FIFA provides only eight percent of tickets to the host country’s national associations for matches that their teams are playing in. This tactic is intended to allow trade associations to sell these tickets directly to their biggest fans. Yet this has done little to ease fears over how affordable and accessible these experiences will be for everyday fans.
Ticket Pricing Structure
FIFA has divided tickets into four categories, with Category 1 being the highest quality seating. Ticket prices for the group stage matches range from $180 to $700. Most importantly, there’s hardly a cheap seat to be found— the cheapest ticket is for Germany’s first group stage game vs Curacao in Houston ($180).
As fans start to turn their attention to the semifinals and finals, prices shoot up significantly. The cheapest ticket for the semifinal is currently at $920, and all the way up to $1,125. For the championship, the final at MetLife Stadium, July 19, tickets are selling like hotcakes. Many of these are already appearing on secondary resale sites for more than $11,000! This striking break from past tournaments and the accompanying concerns. So is FIFA really ready to make the World Cup accessible for all fans?
Historical Context
The pricing model is a huge break from previous tournaments. That was the last time the United States hosted the World Cup, back in 1994. With tickets priced from $25 to $475, it allowed fans of all economic backgrounds the opportunity to attend matches. More recently, at the Qatar World Cup in 2022, ticket prices ranged from about $70 to $1,600.
Soccer officials were encouraged by the pre-event ticket sales. They projected that hundreds of thousands of those tickets would go for as little as $21 during the first two months. This goal feels more and more like a pipe dream, especially under the current price regime. Drawing for World Cup tickets began on December 11 and will continue through January 13, 2026. Successful applicants will be notified by email in February and automatically processed for payment.
Fans React to Pricing Changes
This huge increase in overall ticket price has already come under fire from both fans and advocacy organizations. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) voiced strong objections, stating, “This is a monumental betrayal of the tradition of the World Cup, ignoring the contribution of supporters to the spectacle it is.”
Excitement is growing for a potential Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi quarterfinal match-up, the likes of which would be historic. What fans really want to know is how accessible this amazing new experience will be for average fans. National conversations surrounding the cost of attendance for live events point to a growing divide. This divide illustrates how FIFA’s commercial objectives directly undermine the interests of passionate soccer fans.
