FIFA president Gianni Infantino has defended high ticket prices for this summer's World Cup, claiming it is more expensive to attend a college game in the United States. Speaking at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Infantino addressed criticism over the tournament's pricing and the use of dynamic pricing.
Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and Euroconsumers have lodged complaints with the European Commission after fans in national-team travel clubs were offered initial cheapest tickets for the final at over €3,500. Meanwhile, FIFA's resale website listed four tickets to the final for $2.3 million each, though FIFA does not control the asking price but takes a 15% fee from both buyer and seller.
Infantino argued that high prices reflect the US entertainment market. 'We are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market rates,' he said. He added that if someone buys a $2 million ticket, 'I will personally bring a hot dog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience!'
The FIFA president also noted that 25% of group-stage tickets cost less than $300, comparing this to US college games. 'You cannot go to watch in the US a college game... for less than $300 dollars. And this is the World Cup,' he said. Infantino reiterated that tournament revenue supports global football development.
