FIFA is set to generate record revenue from the 2026 World Cup, with ticket prices reaching unprecedented levels. The organization expects to bring in up to $15 billion this cycle, more than double its 2022 goal of $11 billion.
For the first time, FIFA is using dynamic pricing for tickets, leading to dramatic price swings. Category 1 tickets for the opening game in Mexico City now cost over $2,500, while tickets for the final have exceeded $32,000. Even President Donald Trump, an ally of FIFA President Gianni Infantino, said he wouldn't pay these prices.
Professor Richard Sheehan, an economist at Notre Dame, argues that while higher prices capture revenue from scalpers, they also price out devoted fans. His projections suggest ticketing and hospitality revenue could reach $7.44 to $9 billion.
The larger question remains: where will the money go? While FIFA, a Swiss nonprofit, claims to fund football development, its budgets show a decreasing share for development (44% in 2019-2022, 36% in 2023-2026, projected 29% in 2027-2030).
FIFA has introduced $60 'Supporter Entry Tickets' to mitigate criticism, but only 600 per match are available. With over 500 million ticket requests for just 7.1 million seats, demand drastically outpaces supply, giving FIFA immense pricing leverage.