ENGLAND fans heading to next summer’s World Cup could be fleeced for THOUSANDS per match under Fifa plans to use a “dynamic pricing” strategy.
Average costs of around £305 per match had previously been reported.
But now Fifa chiefs are looking at the same demand-based pricing arrangements that saw this summer’s Oasis reunion concerts plunged into controversy.
And that could see ticket prices for the biggest games sky-rocketing with supply not being able to keep up with demand despite stadiums having capacities of 70,000-plus.
A similar system being used in this summer’s Club World Cup – which includes Chelsea and Manchester City – saw prices fall to as low as £29 for games in the group stage.
But that is unlikely to be the situation at the World Cup, despite the expansion to a 48-team tournament which will see a record 104 games played.
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The Fifa model will NOT apply to fans supporting the three host countries – the USA, Canada and Mexico.
But visiting supporters will be exposed to the system, which could see top price tickets for knockout games going for £5,000 or more.
Official fan groups supplied with tickets by their home associations are also likely to pay a lower price, although allocations are unlikely to exceed 6,000 for any matches.
The measure, if confirmed, is likely to see Fifa accused of exploiting supporters and seeking to maximise their own income.
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Unlike previous World Cups, which have been overseen by a Fifa-delegated local organising committee, 2026 will be run by the Zurich-based body.
The greater the revenue from the estimated 6.5m tickets available, the more Fifa will make from the tournament.
Fifa’s argument is that dynamic pricing is a standard practice for major events in the USA – although that is not the case in the other co-host nations.
The successful three-country bid, which won the right in 2018 to stage next year’s World Cup, suggested that a projected £1.35bn in ticket sales would be a “conservative” estimate.
That appears to be an understatement, although a Fifa spokesman declined to confirm the plans.
The spokesman said: “Ticket sales for the Fifa World Cup 2026 are expected to begin in Q3 of 2025 via the Fifa website. Further details will follow in due course.”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
