Ticket prices for the final of the upcoming FIFA World Cup have surged to unprecedented levels, with some seats now listed for more than $2 million on the official resale platform.
On FIFA’s authorised resale and exchange marketplace, four tickets for the July 19 final at MetLife Stadium are currently available at $2,299,998.85 each. Purchasing all four would cost a combined $9.2 million.
Other tickets in the same section, located behind one of the goals, are also listed at significantly lower prices, with some available for $16,098.
While FIFA does not directly set resale prices, the governing body collects a 15 per cent fee from both buyers and sellers on each transaction.
This means a single high-value ticket sale could generate nearly $600,000 in fees for the organisation, with the charges already included in the listed price.
The development has intensified criticism over the cost of attending the tournament, which is being co-hosted by United States, Canada, and Mexico, and is set to kick off on June 11.
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Historically, resale tickets for World Cup matches were restricted to face value, a policy that has now shifted with the introduction of a market-driven pricing system.
In response to concerns over affordability, FIFA announced in December the release of a limited number of lower-priced tickets, starting at $60, aimed at broadening access for fans.
More than five million tickets have already been sold for the tournament, with the latest phase of sales opening earlier this week.
Defending its pricing structure, FIFA said the approach reflects prevailing practices across major sporting and entertainment events, particularly in North America.
“FIFA has established a ticket sales and secondary market model that reflects standard ticket market practices for major sporting and entertainment events across the host countries.
“The applicable resale facilitation fees are aligned with industry standards across North American sports and entertainment sectors.
“FIFA’s variable pricing ticketing approach aligns with industry trends across various sports and entertainment sectors, where price adaptations are made to optimise sales and attendance and ensure a fair market value for events,” the organisation stated.