The cost of tickets for the England World Cup has fallen sharply, showing a nearly 50% reduction after Fifa released thousands of previously held-back tickets.
Industry experts predict that ticket prices may drop below £200 as match days approach, potentially leading to a surge in last-minute purchases.
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EPA
Fifa officials had previously withheld blocks of tickets to keep prices elevated. However, with only five days left until the tournament starts, nearly a million overpriced tickets remain unsold.
Currently, tickets for England’s first match against Croatia on June 17 in Dallas are listed at £513, a 39% reduction from mid-April’s lowest price of £837. The upcoming match on June 23 against Ghana in Boston is seeing prices at £409 on Fifa’s resale platform, which is a 41% drop from £690.
Experts pointed out that 1,300 additional seats have recently been released for the last group match against Panama in New Jersey on June 27, now priced at £491, down 29% from £690.
Many fans who previously felt priced out are now considering last-minute ticket purchases, while others who bought tickets at higher costs are expressing their displeasure.
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Decreases in flight and hotel costs may drive higher demand for tickets. Mike Andrews, a 60-year-old Manchester City supporter from Newquay, Cornwall, has booked a five-night stay in Tampa before heading to Dallas for the match against Croatia.
He commented: “Planning a longer trip would be too expensive, but I want to support England. Flight and Airbnb prices are dropping, and our lodging is conveniently close to the stadium.”
Fifa has been selling tickets at exorbitant rates for months, even listing the final on July 19 at a staggering £24,560.
In contrast, ticket prices for Scotland’s opening match against Haiti in Boston on June 13 have already dropped below £200.
Experts predict a similar decline in prices as seen during last year’s Club World Cup in the US, where Chelsea’s quarter-final tickets fell from £280 to £8.
Nick Giammusso from the US ticket site viptix.com stated: “Fifa has significantly overestimated what fans are willing to pay. Tickets are already available for under £150 for some matches, and prices will likely keep decreasing as the match days draw near.”
