February 13 – Bayern Munich fans have accused FIFA of “selling hot air” after the world federation introduced cheaper tickets for Club World Cup fixtures.
German media outlet Sportschau reports that there was a catch to FIFA’s offer of cheaper seats: fans who had previously acquired expensive tickets were faced with high cancellation fees to exchange for lower priced options.
Supporters of the German giants could purchase tickets for the club’s first four knockout matches for around $1773 – with prices rising to $3936 for higher category seating.
FIFA then made cheaper tickets available for the knockout phase amid sluggish sales. The world governing body argued that the new category was to reward fan loyalty.
However, FIFA charges a 10 per cent cancellation fee when altering tickets, meaning fans could either stick their orginal option, or pay out hundreds of dollars to exchange for a cheaper ticket.
“FIFA sold us hot air,” Matthias Hentschel, Chairman of Club No. 12, the umbrella organisation of active Bayern fans, told Sportschau.
“Offering cheaper tickets was a step in the right direction, even if the tickets are still too expensive. But it’s a joke that these cancellation costs mean that a large part of the difference goes back to FIFA.”
This summer’s event in the United States is the first time the new 32-team format will be showcased, but prohibitive ticket pricing and expensive travel costs have deterred fans from splashing out.
Interest in the competition seems limited with tickets remaining for all 63 matches. The tournament has also struggled to attract commercial sponsors and broadcast partners.
Streaming giant DAZN will pay around $1 billion for the broadcast rights for the 2025 and 2029 editions of the tournament. SURJ, an arm of the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, will reportedly invest $1 billion DAZN, which has been bleeding money.
Contact the writer of this story Samindra Kunti at moc.l1739463391labto1739463391ofdlr1739463391owedi1739463391sni@i1739463391tnuk.1739463391ardni1739463391mas1739463391