Club World Cup ticket prices revealed to the horror of fans – with controversial dynamic pricing strategy set to be applied for FIFA’s new expanded 32-team tournament
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup has already caused a stir by adding more matches to the already busy football schedule, but the rise of ticket price lists could take that unpopularity to another level.
Earlier this season, a number of high-profile players were very open in their dismay at the prospect of more tournament-style matches in the summer.
While previously only the Champions League winner would represent Europe at the Club World Cup, UEFA has 12 representatives in the 32-team competition this season.
Those twelve are Porto, Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Manchester City, Juventus, Real Madrid and Red Bull Salzburg.
The rejuvenation of the tournament sees FIFA aim to rival the Champions League in competition status, with 32 teams from around the world now taking part in the competition, which takes place every four years.
General ticket sales go live on Thursday, although a limited number of tickets have already been sold via Ticketmaster through the tournament venues.
The extensive FIFA tournament has already led to dissatisfaction about the crowds on the playing field
The tournament will be held in the United States next summer and 32 teams will participate
Fans will at least be hoping they get something to match the glitz and glamor of the Champions League, as according to Bayern Munich’s website, tickets for the final will start at £703.29 ($892) for top-level seats for the grand final.
You might think that the ticket price can’t be much higher for a competition that doesn’t start for another six months.
But anyone hoping to get a lower-level seat for the final will only spend the £1,758.22 (€2,230) that organizers value on tickets.
Prices are of course to scale depending on the severity of the game; for lower level tickets, for example, Bayern fans will have to pay £84.36 ($107) for their group matches with Auckland FC and Benfica, and £126.94 ($161) to see their side play Boca Juniors.
The costs then increase as we move towards the knockout rounds; £168.73 ($214) for the round of 16, £391.85 ($497) in the quarter-finals, £784.50 ($995) to reach the last four, and of course £1758.22 ($2230) for the big final.
Tickets for the higher tiers for the same games cost £35.47 ($45) and £59.91 ($76) in the groups, £59.91 ($76) in the round of 16, £219.92 ($ 279) for a quarter-final, £414.63 ($526). ) in the semi-final and £703.29 ($892) to attend the final.
To perhaps make it even clearer, if a fan attended one match from each round, they would be looking at between £1,433.22 and £3,230.24 just for tickets.
It’s a huge expense for any fan, but when you add in the travel costs to get from Bavaria to the tournament in the United States and all the trappings that come with it, it’s hard to understand how supporters wouldn’t pay for the prize will be. not to follow their side.
Bayern Munich’s website has revealed how much tickets for the tournament will cost fans
Bayern Munich will be one of 12 UEFA representatives competing in the US next year
For a regular ticket in 2023-2024 for Bayern Munich matches, prices ranged from £12.41 (€15) to £66.17 (€80), which for a club the stature of the Bundesliga titans is compared to many Premier League tickets. League sides.
Tickets for the tournament will go live for participating clubs at a later date, with Manchester City having already informed fans that they will go on sale in January.
However, tickets will be subject to dynamic pricing, meaning they will go on sale at a base price that may increase depending on time and demand; a concept that has recently caused dissatisfaction at music concerts, such as the Oasis reunion.
Fan groups from across the Premier League have protested this season against what they say are ‘exploitative’ prices that fuel supporters’ loyalty to their clubs.
At Manchester United, for example, there is said to be growing resentment among fans over the club’s decision to increase the price of members’ tickets to £66 and cut concessions for children and pensioners.
A spokesperson for the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust told Mail Sport: ‘Tickets for home league games have been gold dust for decades.
‘But fans have a limit and the fact that Forest tickets are on open sale should make the club realize that £66 tickets are a step too far. It’s time to reverse the decision and ensure Old Trafford remains as full as ever.”
The Football Supporters’ Association expressed its anger at Valencia, who introduced dynamic pricing at the start of the season and promised ‘tremendous opposition’ if the concept was introduced in England.
The development followed fan protests against the decision to increase ticket prices to £66
Anger had been expressed by supporters against the Glazer family and Sir Jim Ratcliffe
“With impeccable timing following the Oasis fiasco, voices in football have started to float the idea of infecting football with dynamic prizes,” the FSA said.
‘Never underestimate the potential of football’s greediest owners to try to import terrible ideas from other sectors to exploit supporters’ loyalty.
‘Competitor-goers are already mobilizing against the recent wave of price increases and attacks on concessions. Any private increase will be met with enormous opposition.”
Football Supporters Europe added: ‘FSE is strongly opposed to so-called ‘dynamic pricing’ in football. It is nothing but blatant greed; it’s that simple.’