World Cup Ticket Prices Astonishing, Spectator Numbers Expected to Break Records

2026 World Cup Key News

(Central News Agency, New York, June 23, Comprehensive Foreign News) Despite astonishing ticket prices and stringent travel restrictions from the Trump administration, this year's World Cup is expected to achieve a historic high in spectator numbers. Experts say this has little to do with whether Americans love soccer, but rather reflects Americans' passion for large-scale events.

Reuters analysis of International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) data found that in the 44 matches played so far, the total number of spectators has exceeded 2.85 million, with an average stadium attendance rate of about 99.6%.

Dan Rascher, a sports economics expert at the University of San Francisco, said, "Americans like big events, they want to be there to witness important moments."

Although this World Cup is larger in scale than previous ones, with a total of 104 matches compared to 64 in the past, the spectator numbers are expected to break the all-time record before the 64th match. The current record for total spectators is nearly 3.6 million, set when the United States hosted the World Cup in 1994.

Victor Matheson, an economist and sports business expert at the College of the Holy Cross, pointed out, "Part of the reason is that we have these giant stadiums."

However, according to FIFA's annual report and Reuters' analysis of spectator numbers, in terms of attendance rate, 2026 is almost higher than any World Cup in this century, with the only possible exception being the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Soccer's popularity in the United States is not as high as in recent host countries like Brazil and Germany, and ticket prices for this event are also the most expensive in history.

FIFA has adopted a dynamic pricing model for the first time, adjusting ticket prices based on demand. For example, tickets purchased at the last minute for the match between Paraguay and Australia on the 25th cost $450 (approximately NT$14,000).

Resale ticket prices are even more astonishing. According to the ticket tracking service platform TicketData, the lowest average entry price for resale tickets for a single match is $798 (approximately NT$25,000).

FIFA has been heavily criticized for this pricing strategy, but a spokesperson stated today that it reflects market demand and "is in line with industry trends... prices are adjusted to optimize sales and attendance."

John Grady, a professor of sports management at the University of South Carolina, said, "American consumers are willing to pay for what they consider top-tier sporting events."

FIFA had previously estimated that revenue from tickets and VIP boxes would exceed $3 billion (approximately NT$94.8 billion), but Matheson believes the actual figure could reach $4 billion (approximately NT$126.4 billion).

In comparison, according to FIFA's annual report, revenue related to the 2022 World Cup was approximately $949 million (approximately NT$30 billion), and $712 million (approximately NT$22.5 billion) in 2018. (Compiled by Zhang Mingxuan) 1150624

Stand with facts, your every sponsorship is a force to protect press freedom

Download the Central News Agency 'First News' APP for real-time updates

The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.