FIFA has cut World Cup ticket prices to as low as $60 following widespread backlash from fans over what many described as excessive and exclusionary pricing.
Under the revised arrangement, FIFA says about 1,000 tickets per match will be sold at the reduced rate through a new “Supporter Entry Tier,” reserved for fans of the teams involved in each game.
The initiative will apply to all 104 matches at the expanded tournament, including the final.
The decision follows sustained criticism from supporters’ groups, particularly in Europe, who branded the initial pricing structure as “outrageous” and “prohibitively expensive.” Earlier ticket categories priced group-stage matches between $120 and $265, while the cheapest seat for the final was listed at $4,185.
While the move has been welcomed by some fans, others say it falls short. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has argued that the revised pricing benefits only a small fraction of supporters, warning that “only a limited number of fans per match will benefit,” while most attendees will still have to contend with high costs.
The World Cup, to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature 48 teams for the first time and is projected to generate at least $10 billion in revenue for FIFA.
Despite the controversy over pricing, interest in the tournament remains strong, with FIFA reporting more than 20 million ticket requests from fans across over 200 countries and territories.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh/Jones Adzi
