FIFA has introduced $60 'Supporter Entry Tier' tickets for the 2026 World Cup in response to widespread criticism over high costs driven by dynamic pricing. While welcomed as a step forward, fan groups argue the measure falls short, offering limited access for loyal supporters. The tournament, set for June 11 to July 19 across the USA, Canada, and Mexico, features 48 teams and 104 matches.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup has faced intense scrutiny over ticket affordability, with fans and organizations decrying dynamic pricing that has inflated costs to record levels. Football Supporters Europe (FSE) labeled the initial approach a 'monumental betrayal,' estimating that following a team to the final could cost over $8,000, even with the cheapest options. The Croatian Football Association pegged the price for the final at MetLife Stadium alone at more than $4,200.
In a partial concession, FIFA rolled out the Supporter Entry Tier at $60 per ticket for all 104 matches, targeting loyal fans of participating nations. However, these represent just 1.6% of tickets per game—about 660 at the 82,500-capacity MetLife Stadium—and are limited to a nation's 'top cappers' from qualifying campaigns. This allocation dips into the existing 8% participant member association (PMA) share, without increasing overall quotas. Another 40% of PMA tickets fall into the Supporter Value Tier, starting at $220 for England's group-stage games—double the Euro 2024 final price against Spain.
FSE welcomed the change as recognition of the 'damage' caused but stated it 'does not go far enough,' with only a few hundred fans per match benefiting from the $60 rate while most face 'extortionate prices.' Billy Grant, an England supporter who has attended every World Cup since 1986, called the policy 'not justifiable' and said it has created 'a lot of bad feeling.' He added, 'FIFA has, in effect, turned its nose up at fans who have made the game what it is.'
FIFA cited unprecedented demand, with 20 million requests already, and defended the model as aligning with North American market practices for major events. Resale on their platform imposes no price caps, exacerbating surges. In contrast, UEFA's Euro 2024 offered 14% of tickets via the affordable Fans First tier, priced at $32 for group stages and $103 for the final, enabling vibrant fan atmospheres like 100,000 Scottish supporters in Stuttgart.
Grant worries that without broader access, the 2026 tournament risks inauthentic crowds, with 'soccer tourists' filling seats but lacking the songs and traditions of dedicated fans. As a non-profit, FIFA is urged to prioritize merit-based distribution over deep-pocketed buyers.
