As the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches in less than six months, fans are grappling with steep prices for tickets and parking, alongside political and logistical worries. In Los Angeles, FIFA is charging up to $300 for parking spots farther from SoFi Stadium than some ticket prices. Reader accounts highlight frustration over affordability, accessibility, and the U.S. political climate under the Trump administration.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, promises to be a landmark event, but escalating costs are deterring many fans. At SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, which will host eight matches including the U.S. team's opener and a quarterfinal, FIFA is selling parking passes for $250 to $300 per spot. These spaces, located more than a mile away—such as in the VIP West Garage near the Intuit Dome—require a 21-minute walk to the venue, according to FIFA's official parking website operated by JustPark. For comparison, Category 3 tickets to some group-stage games cost $140 or $180, while regular parking at nearby events like Los Angeles Rams games is $71 and Clippers games $56.50.
FIFA justifies the prices based on 'local market conditions and benchmarking against comparable major events,' a spokesperson told The Athletic. However, stadium-adjacent lots will likely remain inside security perimeters for operations, creating scarcity. In Kansas City, only 4,000 parking spaces will be available for ticket holders, compared to 20,000 for NFL games. Across other U.S. venues, minimum parking fees start at $75, rising to $225 for a semifinal in Atlanta, and all must be purchased at least 24 hours in advance.
Guardian readers echo these concerns, sharing experiences of ticket prices that have led some to boycott. One Canadian fan paid $270 each for family tickets to a game in Vancouver, calling hotel costs more shocking. An Australian reader opted out, citing the 'Trump/Infantino White House press conferences' and U.S. immigration policies: 'They’re not getting a cent of my money.' Another spent $14,400 on 32 tickets for nine games, admitting, 'Do I think it’ll be worth it? No.' Political fears, including ICE scrutiny for Latin American fans, and logistical issues in cities like Miami—with poor public transit—compound the frustration. Accessibility challenges persist, as wheelchair users report difficulties securing companion seats without guarantees.
Despite the hurdles, some view it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. A New York entrepreneur spent $70,000 on 62 tickets, believing they can be resold. FIFA anticipates $11 billion in revenue, but fans worry the tournament will be the most expensive ever, prioritizing profit over accessibility.
