The World Cup began with excitement in Mexico City, where the hosts won to the cheers of a full stadium. However, the second tournament game in Guadalajara saw South Korea defeat the Czech Republic 2-1 amidst noticeable empty seats.
The large number of vacancies in the stands has raised questions about interest in this expanded World Cup. Concerns revolve around ticket prices and FIFA’s marketing strategy. More than 80,000 fans gathered at the Azteca Stadium to watch Mexico overcome South Africa 2-0. In contrast, the Guadalajara match involved teams ranked below the top 25, resulting in fewer attendees.
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The stadium in Guadalajara holds nearly 46,000 people, but significant empty areas were visible despite an official count of 44,985 attendees. Fans have expressed frustration for months about what they see as unreasonably high ticket prices, compounded by the expensive costs of accommodation and travel between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Issues with U.S. visa access have also been spotlighted.
An NBC News analysis revealed that, while tickets and hotels remained available early in the tournament, attending matches could be as costly as a month’s rent in Chicago. The supporters present mostly cheered for South Korea, enjoying the team’s comeback victory.
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FIFA President Gianni Infantino recently defended the ticket prices, stating they align with those of other major sporting events. He highlighted that over six million tickets had been sold, with demand significantly exceeding initial expectations. According to him, the entry price of $60 is lower than any other playoff phase pricing in American sports.
Yet, some fan organizations have contested this. Football Supporters Europe lodged a complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of excluding regular fans through high pricing, which far surpassed those of previous World Cups. They argued that the $60 tickets were scarce and sold out before the general public could access them.
Last month, New York and New Jersey’s attorneys general subpoenaed FIFA regarding its ticketing practices. They referenced media reports suggesting fans might have been misled about seat locations and claimed FIFA’s public declarations contributed to soaring prices. Former President Donald Trump also criticized the elevated World Cup ticket costs in an interview with The New York Post.
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