FIFA has reduced ticket prices for certain World Cup matches to $60 for loyal fans of participating teams, a significant drop from the original $4,185 cost for the final. This move follows widespread criticism of FIFA’s pricing and alignment with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The $60 tickets, known as the “Supporter Entry Tier,” will be allocated to national federations whose teams are competing in the tournament. These federations will distribute the tickets to loyal fans who have attended previous matches domestically and internationally. Each team is expected to receive between 400 to 750 $60 tickets for each game in the tournament, which spans 16 host cities across North America.
FIFA cited its decision to lower prices as a means to support traveling fans following their national teams. However, Football Supporters Europe criticized the limited price reduction as a reactionary measure to global backlash, highlighting FIFA’s lack of consultation in its ticketing policies.
The upcoming World Cup in North America, featuring 48 teams for the first time, is projected to generate over $10 billion in revenue for FIFA. Despite the high prices, FIFA has already received more than 20 million ticket requests.
Fans expressed outrage last week over FIFA’s initial ticketing plans, which excluded participating teams from the lowest-priced category. The cheapest tickets ranged from $140 to $265 for group-stage matches, with higher prices for games involving popular teams like Argentina, Portugal, Brazil, and England.
Criticism from European fans has been mounting over FIFA’s pricing strategies, including dynamic pricing and additional fees on resale platforms. In response to fan concerns, FIFA announced it would waive administrative fees for refunds requested after the tournament’s final on July 19.
Fan groups have also called for improved policies for disabled fans, pointing out inflated prices for disability access seats on FIFA’s resale platform. The groups urged FIFA to fulfill its commitment to inclusivity and address concerns raised by fans with disabilities.
