FIFA Cuts Club World Cup Ticket Prices Dramatically Amid Fan Interest Concerns

NEW YORK  — FIFA has implemented substantial price reductions for tickets to its inaugural 32-team Club World Cup, with some entry-level tickets for the final dropping from $892 to $300, as the global governing body faces concerns about lackluster demand for the month-long tournament in the United States.

The newly created “Accessible” ticket category represents a 66% price reduction from original offerings, with FIFA stating the move aims to “reward fan loyalty” rather than address poor sales. However, all matches are available, including those featuring the tournament’s four Brazilian entrants: Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense, and Botafogo.

“While we’re confident in the tournament’s appeal, we want to ensure all fans can experience this historic event,” a FIFA spokesperson told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity as they weren’t authorized to discuss sales figures.

Tournament Context:

• Dates: June 14-July 13 across U.S. venues

• Format: First 32-team edition (previously 7 teams)

• Participants: Champions from all confederations including Bayern Munich, Manchester City

Fan Backlash Emerges
German supporters’ groups have criticized FIFA’s pricing strategy after early purchasers of premium tickets discovered they couldn’t exchange them for the new lower-priced options without incurring substantial cancellation fees.

“This shows FIFA’s disregard for loyal supporters who committed early,” said Thomas Zander of Bayern Munich’s fan club. “Now casual fans get rewarded while dedicated supporters pay penalties.”

Commercial Challenges
The expanded tournament faces several hurdles:

• Competing with Copa América (June 20-July 14)

• Summer heat in host cities including Miami

• Limited historical interest in early-round matches

FIFA remains optimistic about eventual attendance, pointing to strong interest from immigrant communities supporting international clubs. However, with three weeks until kickoff, ticket availability remains widespread across all venues.