Fans condemn exorbitant ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup.
A football fan is struggling to understand why he should pay nine times more than in 2022 to attend the 2026 World Cup.
Such is the case for Pierre-Luc Mongeon, a Quebec enthusiast who was expecting more affordable prices after being selected in a lottery organized for the first wave of ticket sales for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
“I logged in at the appointed time and there were no more reasonably priced tickets left. The cheapest one was $500,” he said.
However, a few weeks earlier, FIFA announced a price range of $84 to $9,444. Like him, some fans are disappointed and have shared several videos on social media showing tickets priced at $10,000.
“If you're lucky, you'll have to pay at least $500 to $600 to attend games whose teams you don't even know. [qui s’affrontent]”, denounces American content creator Jonathan Middleton in a video on his platform.
Indeed, many tickets are sold without us knowing the names of the teams that will compete.
Let us remind you that the FIFA World Cup, which brings together football fans from all over the world, is organized jointly by Canada, the USA and Mexico in 2026.
Up to nine times higher than in 2022
If some ticket categories have prices that are nine times those for the 2022 World Cup, the two situations are not comparable, said Kevin Gilmour, former CEO of Montreal FC.
“Qatar, compared to the United States and Canada, are two completely different markets. This reflects that demand has not been as strong,” he explains.
FIFA is also seeking to limit the profits of ticket resellers.
“Whether tickets are $100 or $600, if the demand is $1,000, they will sell for $1,000,” the sports consultant said. “It’s just a question of who gets the biggest share of the proceeds.”
The organization has not only opted for dynamic pricing, but is also trying to take advantage of resale benefits. “A ticket originally sold for $5,000, FIFA collects $5,000. If it is resold for $25,000, they will receive an additional $7,500 on resale,” says Kevin Gilmour.
The 2026 World Cup is expected to attract 6.5 million viewers, making it the largest championship in history.
