For thousands of dollars, a single match ticket to this year's World Cup was mine for the taking – but only if I could stomach the astronomical prices and the chaotic ticket-buying experience that came with it.
FIFA's dynamic pricing model, widely despised by fans, had been in effect since the pre-sale began. When I finally managed to snag a set of tickets for a round-of-32 knockout match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, category 3 seats went up in value from $21 to a whopping $465 per ticket – a whopping increase that left even seasoned soccer enthusiasts like myself questioning the affordability of this World Cup.
My experience is far from unique. A group chat with my friends and I spent hours waiting for tickets, only to face technical glitches and website crashes along the way. When I finally landed on five minutes worth of login time, it felt like a stroke of luck – but even then, it was clear that this World Cup was out of reach for all but the most well-heeled fans.
The real question is, who exactly are we targeting with these exorbitant ticket prices? Is it stockbrokers and lawyers, tech bros and sponsors, or dignitaries filling the stadiums, rather than die-hard soccer enthusiasts from around the world?
As I watched my friend finally manage to transfer the tickets into his account after weeks of frustration, I couldn't help but wonder: who will actually be at this World Cup? Not those with genuine passion for the sport, that's for sure. At a price point that would make even the most hardened NFL fan wince, it's clear that this is a tournament for the 1%.
Meanwhile, everyday fans like my friend's soccer-loving son – who just wants to experience the excitement of the World Cup without breaking the bank – are left out in the cold. It's a worrying trend, one that highlights the stark disparities between the haves and have-nots when it comes to attending this year's World Cup.
As FIFA gears up for another sellout event, the real question on everyone's mind is: who will be there when the games get underway?
FIFA's dynamic pricing model, widely despised by fans, had been in effect since the pre-sale began. When I finally managed to snag a set of tickets for a round-of-32 knockout match at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, category 3 seats went up in value from $21 to a whopping $465 per ticket – a whopping increase that left even seasoned soccer enthusiasts like myself questioning the affordability of this World Cup.
My experience is far from unique. A group chat with my friends and I spent hours waiting for tickets, only to face technical glitches and website crashes along the way. When I finally landed on five minutes worth of login time, it felt like a stroke of luck – but even then, it was clear that this World Cup was out of reach for all but the most well-heeled fans.
The real question is, who exactly are we targeting with these exorbitant ticket prices? Is it stockbrokers and lawyers, tech bros and sponsors, or dignitaries filling the stadiums, rather than die-hard soccer enthusiasts from around the world?
As I watched my friend finally manage to transfer the tickets into his account after weeks of frustration, I couldn't help but wonder: who will actually be at this World Cup? Not those with genuine passion for the sport, that's for sure. At a price point that would make even the most hardened NFL fan wince, it's clear that this is a tournament for the 1%.
Meanwhile, everyday fans like my friend's soccer-loving son – who just wants to experience the excitement of the World Cup without breaking the bank – are left out in the cold. It's a worrying trend, one that highlights the stark disparities between the haves and have-nots when it comes to attending this year's World Cup.
As FIFA gears up for another sellout event, the real question on everyone's mind is: who will be there when the games get underway?
$465 per ticket?! 
That's just not fair 
to fans like my friend's son 
who just wanna have fun 
️ without breaking the bank 
. It's all about the big spenders 
and not about the passionate fans who actually love soccer 
.
, it's not cool 
when they're pricing out everyday people 
. I mean, what's next? Tickets for Mars?! 
The world is all about football 
, if we can't attend games without bankrupting ourselves 
It should be for everyone, not just those with deep pockets 
.
i was trying to buy a ticket 2 last yr world cup and it took me like forever just 2 check if i could afford the tickets 
source: 
i mean come on $465 per ticket?! thats not just for die hard fans its for people with deep pockets only. what about all the kids and families who want to watch the world cup without breaking the bank 
.
. Make the tickets affordable and get people in the stadium, not just line the pockets of a bunch of shady profiteers 
.
. And yeah, it's clear that this World Cup is for the rich and famous, not for us regular people who actually care about the game 
. I'm just hoping my mate gets to enjoy the tournament without losing his mind (or his savings) 
.
. I feel bad for my friend who finally got tickets after weeks of trying, but at what cost? 
Ticket prices are outta control! Who's really buying these pricey seats? Rich folks, corporate buyers, or just die-hard fans trying to make a dream come true? 
, which is a bummer cuz that's where the magic happens! 
we need more affordable options so everyone can enjoy the World Cup 
#FIFAWorldCup #TicketGates #SoccerForAll
.
. I've got a friend who's been trying to get tickets for weeks and he's still waiting... it's just not right