FIFA Defends World Cup Ticket Prices Amid Resale Market Concerns
As discussions about World Cup ticket prices continue, FIFA president Gianni Infantino stated that the costs reflect those of many American sporting events.
FIFA faces criticism regarding the ticket prices for the upcoming tournament, scheduled to begin on June 11 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Infantino emphasized that market rates must be adhered to.
“In the U.S., it is permitted to resell tickets as well, so if you were to sell tickets at a price that is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price,” Infantino said Tuesday during the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills. “And as a matter of fact, even though some people are saying that the ticket prices we have are high, they still end up on the resale market at an even higher price, more than double our price.”
Wednesday’s visit to the Ticketmaster website revealed no bargains for the June 19 group-stage match between the United States and Australia in Seattle. The lowest price for two tickets in the resale market was $2,725.10, comprising $2,290 for the tickets and $435.10 in service fees. A search 30 minutes later showed the total climbing to $2,770.90 for seats positioned high in the upper deck along the sideline at Lumen Field.
In its marketplace, FIFA charges a 15% fee on transactions for both buyers and sellers of resold tickets. Despite this, Infantino maintained that World Cup prices are not excessive.
“We have 25% of the group stage tickets which can be bought for less than $300,” Infantino noted. “You cannot go to watch a college game in the U.S., not to mention a high-level professional game, for less than $300. And this is the World Cup.”
Last month, FIFA had four tickets for the World Cup final in East Rutherford, N.J., listed at just under $2.3 million each, positioned in the lower deck behind the goal.
“If some people list tickets for the final at $2 million, No. 1, it doesn’t mean that the tickets cost $2 million, and No. 2, it doesn’t mean that somebody will buy these tickets,” Infantino remarked. “And if somebody buys a ticket for the final for $2 million, I will personally bring a hot dog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience.”