A single ticket to the 2026 World Cup can cost upwards of $60 - a staggering price tag for many soccer fans.
FIFA's dynamic pricing model is widely despised by fans and critics alike, with prices increasing exponentially as tickets become scarce. When general ticket sales began in early October, anticipation was palpable among soccer enthusiasts in New York's Hudson Valley. Twenty-eight friends entered the Visa pre-sale lottery, but only one of us managed to snag four category 2 tickets at a total cost of $1,860.
However, our excitement was short-lived as we soon discovered that transferring tickets between accounts was an arduous task. Our friend reported several failed attempts to transfer the tickets, with the system logging each failed transaction as a sale and thus barring us from reordering them. After weeks of frustration, the transfer finally worked, but it left no paper trail, making it impossible for me to confirm the status of my nearly $2,000 purchase.
The experience has raised questions about who exactly will be attending this year's World Cup. With ticket prices reaching as high as $465 per seat, many fans are priced out, and those with the means are not guaranteed tickets. This raises concerns about accessibility for fans from lower-income countries, where flights and accommodations add to the already astronomical cost of attendance.
It seems unlikely that the 2026 World Cup will be a truly inclusive event, leaving the coveted spots for the wealthy and well-connected. As a result, some soccer enthusiasts are left wondering if they'll even get to experience this generational event.
FIFA's dynamic pricing model is widely despised by fans and critics alike, with prices increasing exponentially as tickets become scarce. When general ticket sales began in early October, anticipation was palpable among soccer enthusiasts in New York's Hudson Valley. Twenty-eight friends entered the Visa pre-sale lottery, but only one of us managed to snag four category 2 tickets at a total cost of $1,860.
However, our excitement was short-lived as we soon discovered that transferring tickets between accounts was an arduous task. Our friend reported several failed attempts to transfer the tickets, with the system logging each failed transaction as a sale and thus barring us from reordering them. After weeks of frustration, the transfer finally worked, but it left no paper trail, making it impossible for me to confirm the status of my nearly $2,000 purchase.
The experience has raised questions about who exactly will be attending this year's World Cup. With ticket prices reaching as high as $465 per seat, many fans are priced out, and those with the means are not guaranteed tickets. This raises concerns about accessibility for fans from lower-income countries, where flights and accommodations add to the already astronomical cost of attendance.
It seems unlikely that the 2026 World Cup will be a truly inclusive event, leaving the coveted spots for the wealthy and well-connected. As a result, some soccer enthusiasts are left wondering if they'll even get to experience this generational event.
I feel bad for those fans who can't afford $60+ tickets! 
It's like, the World Cup is supposed to be for everyone, not just the super rich and lucky ones 
What's the point of having a global event if you're gonna price out 99% of potential attendees? 
I wish FIFA would find a way to make tickets more accessible, maybe through lotteries or affordable packages that include flights and accommodation 
. It's just not right that some fans will be left out due to something as silly as ticket pricing 
. It's like they're trying to make it impossible for regular people to get tickets. I feel bad for my friends who got stuck in limbo, waiting weeks to transfer their tickets only to have some kind of technical glitch hold them back. 
Those flights and accommodations can already be super pricey, so now you're telling me I have to shell out $465 for a seat just to watch the game? No thanks! 
. I'm not saying it's all bad but it's hard not to feel like only the rich are gonna get to enjoy this World Cup 
.
The dynamic pricing model is so unfair, especially with the transfer issues you guys went through 
It's gonna be a problem, fam 
Shouldn't the World Cup be about the love of the game, not the bank? 
those ticket prices r goin up faster than my wifi bill lol. and btw, who needs paper trails when ur just tryna get the tickets??? 
I mean i know its the world cup and all but 60 bucks a pop is straight up crazy! i was thinking of getting tix but my wallet is saying no way lol 
. And don't even get me started on the "inclusivity" thing - who needs accessibility when you're selling out to the highest bidder? It's like, if I wanna shell out that kinda cash, I should get to choose where I sit and with whom 
, it's just crazy how much money you gotta shell out for a single seat. I mean, I get that the demand is high and all, but come on, $60+ a pop? That's like buying an entire gaming console 
or something! The problem is, this whole dynamic pricing model is super unfair to the average fan who just wants to enjoy the game without breaking the bank 
i feel bad for all those fans from lower-income countries who cant even try to buy tickets let alone afford flights and hotels it kinda sucks that its not more inclusive like we should all be able to enjoy the world cup regardless of where we're from 