The Indicator from Planet Money Who is the World Cup for anymore?
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Nov 11, 2025 
Raphael Nam, NPR's Senior Business editor and devoted World Cup enthusiast, shares insights on the upcoming 2026 tournament. He highlights its potential to be the priciest ever and the challenges fans face with ticketing. Discussions reveal FIFA's dynamic pricing strategies, leading to a sense of urgency among fans. Raphael explains how the new ticketing system, coupled with hospitality packages, creates exclusivity yet raises costs. Despite hefty prices, he shares why he opted for high-priced hospitality seats, blending personal passion with practical choices.
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World Cup Scaled Up And Pricier
- The 2026 World Cup will be the biggest ever and likely the most expensive, making attendance harder for average fans.
- Raphael Nam contrasts easy 1994 ticket access with today’s costly, scarce options to show how accessibility has changed.
Easy 1994 Ticket Memory
- Raphael Nam recounts getting easy World Cup tickets in 1994 by calling a number from a newspaper ad.
- He remembers a zero-zero game but loved the simple, accessible experience back then.
Dynamic Pricing Drives Big Price Swings
- FIFA is using dynamic pricing and withheld price tables, so tickets vary wildly and skew expensive for U.S. matches.
- Many final seats start around $6,000, and FIFA says prices align with U.S. sports norms.