Gianni Infantino claims World Cup ticket prices are justified in US market
By Press Association Sport Staff
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has again defended high ticket prices for this summer’s World Cup and insisted it is more expensive to attend a college game in the United States.
During an appearance at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Infantino addressed the criticism directed at the world governing body over the prices set for the tournament and the adoption of dynamic pricing.
Football Supporters Europe (FSE) and Euroconsumers have already lodged complaints with the European Commission after it emerged fans who are part of national-team travel clubs and loyalty schemes were given an initial cheapest ticket for the final of more than £3,000 (€3,471).
More recently, FIFA’s World Cup resale website last week advertised four tickets to the final for $2.3million each and whilst FIFA does not control the asking price, it would take a 15 per cent purchase fee from each buyer and a 15 per cent resale fee from each seller.
Infantino has previously pointed out the revenue from the flagship tournament supports the development of football globally.
“If some people put on the resale market some tickets for the final at $2million dollars, number one it doesn’t mean that the tickets cost $2m dollars and number two it doesn’t mean that somebody will buy these tickets,” Infantino explained.
“And if somebody buys a ticket for the final for $2m dollars, I will personally bring a hot dog and a Coke to make sure that he has a great experience!
“We are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market rates.
“In the US, it is permitted to resell tickets as well, so if you were to sell tickets at the price which is too low, these tickets will be resold at a much higher price and as a matter of fact, we have 25 per cent of the group-stage tickets which can be bought for less than $300 dollars.
“You cannot go to watch in the US a college game, not even speaking about a top professional game of a certain level, for less than $300 dollars. And this is the World Cup!”