Marketplace All-in-One Backlash prompts slashed World Cup ticket prices
Dec 17, 2025
Nick Marsh, a BBC business reporter, dives into FIFA's controversial ticket pricing ahead of the upcoming World Cup. He discusses the newly introduced $60 ticket tier, meant to appease fans amidst outcry over soaring costs. Marsh reveals that even following a team could set fans back $7,000, prompting concerns over affordability for global supporters. The conversation also touches on the impact of fan backlash on FIFA's future pricing strategies and highlights Kylian Mbappé's recent $70 million court win against PSG over unpaid wages.
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$60 Tickets Are Mostly Symbolic
- FIFA will offer a $60 supporter entry tier but only for a small slice of tickets distributed via member associations.
- The move leaves the vast majority of match tickets at much higher prices, so affordability gains are very limited.
Tiny Allocations Limit Impact
- Only about 10% of the tickets given to member associations will be in the $60 tier, so allocations per country are tiny.
- For large stadiums, a country's small share means few affordable seats reach fans in practice.
Prices Much Higher Than Qatar
- Overall ticket prices have jumped markedly since Qatar, with average costs about seven times higher.
- Higher U.S. salaries partly explain pricing but don't justify the scale given global fan income differences.