World Cup resale prices fall but high demand keeps key matches costly
Average group-stage entry costs have dropped from $700 to $550, yet the final remains above $8,000 while New York City introduces a $50 resident lottery.
Resale ticket prices for the FIFA World Cup in the United States have decreased significantly, with the average entry cost for group-stage matches falling from over $700 in April to approximately $550. Despite this drop, high-demand fixtures remain prohibitively expensive for many fans. The Colombia versus Portugal group-stage match in Florida is listed above $2,500, while the final at MetLife Stadium carries a base resale price exceeding $8,000.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has defended the pricing structure as a reflection of market rates, arguing that setting lower official prices would inadvertently inflate secondary market costs. Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Infantino noted that the United States permits ticket resale and that entertainment pricing in the region is highly developed. He also addressed reports of tickets listed for nearly $2.3 million, stating that such figures do not necessarily reflect actual transaction values or buyer intent.
The disparity in pricing is evident across different fixtures. While the Colombia versus Portugal game exceeds $2,500, placing it above the cost of semi-final matches, other group-stage games offer more accessible entry points. Matches such as Austria versus Jordan in Santa Clara and Bosnia-Herzegovina versus Qatar in Seattle are available for around $200. However, the final at MetLife Stadium continues to attract extreme resale values, with individual tickets spotted at nearly $2.3 million on FIFA’s official resale platform.
Political scrutiny of the pricing model has intensified, with US Representatives Nellie Pou and Frank Pallone writing to Infantino by May 22 to demand clarity on FIFA’s pricing practices. The lawmakers cited concerns over opaque pricing and potentially deceptive methods that hinder fan access. Former President Donald Trump also criticised the inflated costs, stating he would not pay four-figure prices for tickets.
In response to affordability concerns, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a lottery for 1,000 tickets priced at $50 for city residents. The lottery opens Monday morning, with winners receiving a free round-trip bus ride to MetLife Stadium. These discounted tickets are not valid for the final match but offer a significant reduction in cost for other fixtures.
