Next year’s World Cup will see tickets sold with dynamic pricing, FIFA has confirmed in a controversial move.
Prices will initially range from $60 (£44.69) in the group stages to a staggering $6,730 (£5,013) in the final – but could change due to the variable costing.
It is the same system which caused such a furore for Oasis’ tour earlier this year, which saw £135 standing tickets re-hashed as ‘in demand’ and bumped up to £355 on Ticketmaster, plus fees.
‘We will adapt prices as per the demand we see, as per the remaining inventory,’ a FIFA official said.
‘While we have committed to the starting point we will apply variable pricing from day one of the process.
‘We do not intend at all to change prices every five minutes.’
The next World Cup will feature dynamic ticket pricing, FIFA has confirmed to much chagrin
Thousands of England fans are expected to attend but they could be hit hard in the wallet
Fans will first have a chance to snatch up some tickets on September 10 via a lottery.
But this announcement, confirming a story which The Times broke earlier this year, has left supporters livid on social media.
One wrote on X: ‘Shocking. FIFA will virtue signal about inclusivity and then use this method for financial gain. Ripe for exploitation of fans to pay well above affordable levels to be able to watch their country in a World Cup. Football is supposed to be for everyone. Another dark day for fans.’
Another said: ‘Absolutely daft, football in US is still in its infancy instead of embracing the chance to fill the stadium with locals the premise is to go after the money. Expect the same participation as seen at the Club World Cup.’
‘Gonna be a lot of empty stadiums again. Even if it’s the World Cup,’ another warned.
‘Someone needs to turn the entire football world off and on again. Starting with FIFA,’ one said.
England fans are expected to be hit harder than most given that the Three Lions are expected to be backed by a strong following in the United States.
Dynamic pricing can, of course, benefit fans in some instances. It was used at the Club World Cup and for Chelsea’s semi-final against Fluminense at the MetLife Stadium, prices were chopped from $473.90 (£352.76) to $13.40 (£9.98).
Dynamic pricing was used at the Club World Cup and sometimes brought costs down due to a poor turnout
United States President Donald Trump got his hands on the trophy in a meeting with FIFA chief Gianni Infantino
For the World Cup, hospitality packages have already been sold since May. For the eight matches at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, including the final on July 19, prices range from $3,500 (£2,606) to $73,200 (£54,490) per person.
The initial draw period for tickets will be limited to Visa card holders and will run from 11 a.m. EDT on Sept. 10 through 11 a.m. EDT on September 19.
Those picked to buy tickets will be notified starting September 29 and will be given a timeslot to purchase starting Oct. 1.
While tickets for all 104 matches are being put on sale, receiving a timeslot does not guarantee tickets will be available.
Sales will be capped at four tickets per person per match, with no person being able to purchase more than 40 for the totality of the tournament.
FIFA said it has no additional details on prices to announce.
A second phase, called an early ticket draw, likely will run from October 27-31, with purchase timeslots from mid-November to early December.
A third phase, termed a random selection draw, will start after the final draw of teams on December 5 determines the World Cup schedule. FIFA said tickets will be available closer to the tournament “on a first-come, first-served basis.”
FIFA also said it will start an official resale platform.
