December 18 – The expanded FIFA Club World Cup has already drawn widespread criticism for cramming more fixtures into an already congested football calendar. But if the backlash over its scheduling wasn’t enough, the recently revealed ticket prices for the tournament could escalate the controversy to new heights.
Earlier this season, numerous high-profile players voiced their frustration over the prospect of even more matches being added to their summer commitments. FIFA’s decision to revamp the tournament and grow it to 32 teams—up from the traditional seven—is an attempt to rival UEFA’s Champions League in prestige, even cherry-picking Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami to take part on behalf of the host nation.
An exclusive 48-hour tickets presale window opened on Tuesday, 17 December for the 12 host venues for the tournament, giving them the opportunity to reward their customers through their loyalty programmes or promotional activities. A nice touch.
General sale tickets go live on Thursday, but early pricing details have already surfaced—and they’re eye-watering.
According to Bayern Munich’s website, tickets for the final will start at a jaw-dropping £703.29 ($890) for an upper-tier seat. For those seeking a lower-tier view, the price soars to £1,758.22 ($2,230).
For comparison, Bayern Munich’s most expensive home match tickets this season cost just £66.17 (€80), while entry-level prices were as low as £12.41 (€15). To call the Club World Cup pricing astronomical feels like an understatement.
The price tiers reveal a steep escalation as fans progress through the stages of the tournament. For Bayern’s group games against Auckland City and Benfica, lower-tier seats will cost £84.36 ($107), while matches against Boca Juniors climb to £126.94 ($161).
Knockout stages bring even steeper hikes: £168.73 ($214) for the round of 16, £391.85 ($497) for the quarterfinals, £784.50 ($995) for the semi-finals, and ultimately, the aforementioned £1758.22 ($2230) for the final.
Even upper-tier tickets, typically a more affordable option, aren’t immune to the sharp increases. These range from £35.47 ($45) for group games to £703.29 ($892) for the final.
If a dedicated fan wished to attend just one game from each round, they’d face a minimum outlay of £1,433.22 ($1,819). For the full VIP experience of lower-tier seating, the total climbs to £3,230.24 ($4,098) – before factoring in the cost of travel to the United States, accommodation, and other expenses.
For supporters of European clubs like Bayern Munich, known for their comparatively fan-friendly ticket pricing, these numbers feel particularly egregious. Bayern’s domestic season ticket prices pale in comparison, making the Club World Cup seem particularly elitist, reserved for only the wealthiest of fans- a kick in the teeth to German supporter culture in particular.
As it stands, the rejuvenated Club World Cup feels like a competition in search of relevance, but at prices that only the privileged can afford. Whether it succeeds or stumbles under the weight of its ambitions remains to be seen. For now, one thing is certain: fans may love the beautiful game, but they’re not blind to its increasingly ugly cost.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1734550917labto1734550917ofdlr1734550917owedi1734550917sni@g1734550917niwe.1734550917yrrah1734550917