FIFA has significantly raised ticket prices for the final of the upcoming FIFA World Cup. According to sports economist Thomas Peeters of Erasmus School of Economics, FIFA is acting like a monopolist aiming to maximise revenue. ‘Attending a World Cup final is becoming something only the elite can afford,’ he says in an interview on the Dutch broadcaster BNR Nieuwsradio.
The football tournament, hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will feature 48 teams, making it the largest World Cup to date. While this expansion suggests greater accessibility, ticket prices for both group-stage and knockout matches have risen substantially. The most expensive seats cost nearly $10,000. This marks a dramatic increase compared to the $1,600 fans paid for the 2022 final in Qatar.
The increase is partly driven by the use of dynamic pricing. Tickets are released in stages, and prices rise when demand is strong. FIFA also generates additional income through its official resale platform, taking a commission of 5 to 10 per cent on resold tickets. Despite the steep prices, Thomas Peeters notes that FIFA remains a non-profit organisation. Revenues from the World Cup are reportedly reinvested into global football development, including funding training facilities in developing nations.
- More information
Click here for the interview with Thomas Peeters on BNR Nieuwsradio (in Dutch). For more information, please contact Ronald de Groot, Media & Public Relations Officer at Erasmus School of Economics: rdegroot@ese.eur.nl, +31 653 641 846.
