FIFA President Defends World Cup Ticket Prices Exceeding NT$60 Million on Resale Platform
FIFA President Gianni Infantino defended the high prices of World Cup tickets, stating that US law permits resales for thousands of dollars above face value, obliging FIFA to leverage this regulation. This comes after FIFA's own resale platform listed four final tickets for over US$2 million each, sparking criticism from fan groups.
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency, Beverly Hills, California, May 5, comprehensive foreign report) International Football Federation (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino today defended World Cup ticket prices, emphasizing that under US law, which allows tickets to be resold for thousands of dollars above their original price, FIFA is obligated to make good use of this regulation.
According to AFP, FIFA has been widely criticized for World Cup ticket prices. In March, the fan group 'Football Supporters Europe (FSE)' filed a lawsuit with the European Commission, accusing FIFA World Cup tickets of being 'overpriced'.
FIFA's own World Cup resale platform, FIFA Marketplace, last week listed four final tickets for the July 19 match in New York for over US$2 million each (approximately NT$63.54 million).
Infantino stated at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, that the astronomical ticket prices reflect strong fan demand to watch the matches.
He said that if final tickets on the resale platform are listed for US$2 million, firstly, it does not mean the tickets actually cost US$2 million. Secondly, it does not mean anyone will actually buy these tickets, but 'if someone truly spends US$2 million on a final ticket, I will personally deliver a hot dog and a Coke to them, allowing them to experience an unforgettable match.'
Fan groups also compared the ticket prices of the 2022 Qatar World Cup with the current tournament: the most expensive original final ticket for the former was approximately US$1,600 (about NT$50,000), while for the latter, the most expensive original final ticket is about US$11,000 (about NT$350,000).
Infantino insisted that this significant increase in original ticket prices is justified, stating, 'We must consider market mechanisms. We are in a market where the entertainment industry is among the top globally, and we must price according to market conditions.'
He also pointed out that 'the US also allows ticket resales, and if we price tickets too low, these tickets will still be resold at high prices in the secondary market.'
'In fact, despite criticism that our ticket prices are high, these tickets are even more expensive in the resale market, sometimes exceeding double our official prices.'
Infantino mentioned that a quarter of the group stage tickets are priced under US$300 (approximately NT$9,500). He said, 'In the US, let alone a certain level of professional games, it's impossible to see even a university-level game for less than US$300.'
He emphasized that after all, this is the World Cup.
The current World Cup is jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The first match will kick off on June 11 in Mexico City, and the final is scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey. (Compiler: Tsai Chia-min) 1150506
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(Central News Agency, Beverly Hills, California, May 5, comprehensive foreign report) International Football Federation (FIFA) President Gianni Infantino today defended World Cup ticket prices, emphasizing that under US law, which allows tickets to be resold for thousands of dollars above their original price, FIFA is obligated to make good use of this regulation.
According to AFP, FIFA has been widely criticized for World Cup ticket prices. In March, the fan group 'Football Supporters Europe (FSE)' filed a lawsuit with the European Commission, accusing FIFA World Cup tickets of being 'overpriced'.
FIFA's own World Cup resale platform, FIFA Marketplace, last week listed four final tickets for the July 19 match in New York for over US$2 million each (approximately NT$63.54 million).
Infantino stated at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, that the astronomical ticket prices reflect strong fan demand to watch the matches.
He said that if final tickets on the resale platform are listed for US$2 million, firstly, it does not mean the tickets actually cost US$2 million. Secondly, it does not mean anyone will actually buy these tickets, but 'if someone truly spends US$2 million on a final ticket, I will personally deliver a hot dog and a Coke to them, allowing them to experience an unforgettable match.'
Fan groups also compared the ticket prices of the 2022 Qatar World Cup with the current tournament: the most expensive original final ticket for the former was approximately US$1,600 (about NT$50,000), while for the latter, the most expensive original final ticket is about US$11,000 (about NT$350,000).
Infantino insisted that this significant increase in original ticket prices is justified, stating, 'We must consider market mechanisms. We are in a market where the entertainment industry is among the top globally, and we must price according to market conditions.'
He also pointed out that 'the US also allows ticket resales, and if we price tickets too low, these tickets will still be resold at high prices in the secondary market.'
'In fact, despite criticism that our ticket prices are high, these tickets are even more expensive in the resale market, sometimes exceeding double our official prices.'
Infantino mentioned that a quarter of the group stage tickets are priced under US$300 (approximately NT$9,500). He said, 'In the US, let alone a certain level of professional games, it's impossible to see even a university-level game for less than US$300.'
He emphasized that after all, this is the World Cup.
The current World Cup is jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The first match will kick off on June 11 in Mexico City, and the final is scheduled for July 19 in New Jersey. (Compiler: Tsai Chia-min) 1150506
Choose to stand with facts. Every sponsorship you provide supports press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcasted, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.