Fury over 'crazy' R37m World Cup ticket prices on FIFA resale site

The cost of attending the next FIFA World Cup in the United States has triggered a viral backlash, with resale ticket prices soaring into the millions.

Listings on the official resale platform linked to FIFA show four tickets priced at more than R37 million ($2 million) each. For a set of four seats at MetLife Stadium, fans would pay over R167 million ($9 million) in total.

The eye-watering prices have fuelled widespread criticism, with many questioning how World Cup tickets have become so expensive.

Resale market drives massive markups

The tickets in question are not standard sales, but resale listings on FIFA’s own marketplace.

These seats are located behind the goalposts, typically considered less desirable, yet are priced at a level described as “an absolute fortune”.

Even comparatively cheaper tickets in the same section are listed at around R297,000 ($16,000), highlighting the scale of price inflation on the resale platform.

At the previous World Cup, tickets were reportedly kept at face value, making the current surge in resale prices a major point of contention.

FIFA takes cut despite distancing itself

While FIFA says it does not control the prices set by sellers on the resale platform, it still benefits financially.

The organisation takes a 15% fee from both buyers and sellers, in a multi-million-dollar transaction, that could translate into earnings of nearly R11 million ($600,000) from a single sale.

This has intensified criticism, with questions raised about FIFA’s role in enabling extreme pricing while publicly distancing itself from the resale market.

Demand signals remain unclear

Despite the headline-grabbing prices, there are mixed signals about demand.

More than five million tickets have reportedly been sold for the tournament overall, and the final phase of ticket sales has opened this week.

However, some reports suggest that hotels in the 11 host cities are not seeing the expected surge in bookings, raising doubts about whether demand will match the inflated resale prices.

‘Crazy’ prices fuel debate

The scale of the resale listings has been widely described as “crazy”, with suggestions that only billionaires or large corporations could afford such costs.

With the tournament approaching, attention is now on whether late demand will justify the extreme pricing or force sellers to slash costs.

More on World Cup ticket prices and fan backlash

— FIFA World Cup excitement fades as fans struggle with prices, travel and ticket lottery

Fans say soaring ticket costs and a complex lottery system are putting the tournament out of reach, with resale prices already climbing sharply.

— Fans slam ‘outrageous’ World Cup ticket pricing scheme by FIFA

Backlash grew after FIFA confirmed dynamic pricing, with critics warning that escalating costs risk pricing out ordinary supporters.

— Hotel groups disappointed with World Cup bookings despite ticket sales push

Host cities reported weaker-than-expected demand, raising questions about whether high prices are deterring travelling fans.