February 10 – FIFA has reduced ticket prices for the Club World Cup amid low interest.
Late last year, the world governing body launched the ticket sales for the expanded 32-team tournament, the brainchild of FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, with eye-watering prices of up to $2,230 for the final, but the Daily Mail reports that FIFA has slashed prices because of low interest.
The cheapest tickets for the final were being offered at $300 instead of the original $890. For the semi-final, supporters can now buy a ‘cheap’ ticket for $140 instead of $526. In the round of 16, ticket prices for the lowest category have also dropped with FIFA insisting that the price drop is to reward loyal fans.
Ticket sales have been sluggish, but FIFA has failed to provide any updates on sales figures.
On Sunday, tickets for the opening match, two semi-finals and final were available. All 63 matches were still listed on Ticketmaster, the official sales platform.
The tournament kicks off on June 14 with Inter Miami hosting Al Ahly of Egypt in Florida, the curtain raiser of a 32-team club tournament that will culminate a month later at the Metlife Stadium in New Jersey. So far, commercial and broadcast interest in the event has been limited.
The expanded finals have also come in for criticism because of calendar congestion. The Club World Cup will coincide with both the Concacaf Gold Cup and the start of the Women’s Euro 2025 in Switzerland.
Players’ union Fifpro has taken legal action in Europe against FIFA over the tournament.
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