FIFA is facing heavy criticism again after raising World Cup final ticket prices to shocking levels, even as fans continue complaining about the cost of attending games in the United States. The biggest anger is around the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, where FIFA has now listed its top “category one” seats at $32,970 during the latest ticket release. Earlier, those same top-level tickets had been priced at $10,990.The sudden jump has left many fans stunned, especially because tickets for several other matches across the tournament are also being sold at very high prices. FIFA president Gianni Infantino defended the prices this week, saying the organization is simply following “market rates” in the United States. But fans and even U.S. lawmakers are now questioning FIFA’s pricing system, ticket availability, and resale practices.
Gianni Infantino defends FIFA ticket prices as U.S. lawmakers question World Cup sales process
FIFA’s latest ticket release included huge prices for several major matches. Tickets for the July 14 semifinal at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, reached as high as $11,130, while seats for the other semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta were listed above $10,000. Even U.S. group-stage matches are carrying huge costs. Tickets for the United States opener against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in California were listed at prices between $1,120 and $2,735. The U.S. match against Australia in Seattle was listed at $2,715, while the group-stage finale against Turkey in California climbed close to $3,000 for some seats. Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Gianni Infantino defended FIFA’s approach.“We have to look at the market. We are in a market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market rates,” Infantino said. He also argued that cheaper tickets would simply end up being resold at even higher prices. “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,” he added.Still, many fans online pushed back against his comments. Infantino also claimed people cannot attend major American sporting events for less than $300, but fans quickly pointed out cheaper tickets were available for NBA playoff games. The resale market has added even more controversy. On FIFA’s official resale platform, some World Cup final tickets were listed at prices reaching nearly $11.5 million, although FIFA says it does not control seller prices. The organization still collects a 15 percent fee from both buyers and sellers during resale transactions.Meanwhile, New Jersey representatives Frank Pallone and Nellie Pou sent a letter to FIFA demanding answers about dynamic pricing, hidden ticket inventory, and what they called “potentially deceptive practices.” The lawmakers also accused FIFA of limiting ticket supply on purpose to create pressure on fans to buy quickly before prices rise again.