If you dive into a 1993 issue of Soccer America and flip to the back, you’ll stumble upon a fascinating piece of history: the ticket prices for the 1994 World Cup. Back then, an ad eagerly encouraged fans to buy tickets, stating, “World Cup Soccer is coming! Don’t miss it for the world!”
The prices from that era are almost laughable today. Imagine watching the USA vs. Colombia at the Rose Bowl for just $25 or catching the thrilling quarterfinal between Brazil and the Netherlands for $55. Even when we consider inflation, it’s hard to believe how affordable those tickets were.
Fast forward to today, and things have changed dramatically. FIFA, which was already a major player in soccer back then, now has an enormous appetite for profits. This was evident recently when ticket information for the new 32-team Club World Cup was released. This event, set to take place in the U.S., is seen as a test run for the bigger 2026 World Cup co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
Today’s ticket prices are shocking. To watch Inter Miami play Al Ahly from Egypt in the tournament opener, you’re looking at a minimum of $230 for a seat high up in the stadium. Closer spots are even pricier, skyrocketing to $600 or $700. On Ticketmaster’s resale market, prices already exceed $1,000.
As the tournament progresses to knockout rounds, prices will likely climb even higher. Tickets for early knockout games start at around $214, but for later rounds like the semifinals, they could reach up to $1,000. The final? Fans might have to shell out about $2,230.
FIFA plans to use “adaptive pricing,” which means ticket costs could vary based on demand. This kind of price strategy is often criticized as price-gouging, especially in a country like the U.S., where ticket prices for Major League Soccer can sometimes be higher than those in Europe.
Soccer is gaining traction in America, yet ticket prices for some MLS games can feel steep compared to historical prices. For context, fans of top European teams often raise eyebrows at ticket prices around $80, which can be more affordable than seats at an MLS match.
While some games in the Club World Cup offer reasonable prices—like a $40 ticket to watch Morocco’s Wydad against Al Ain—many matches, especially in the knockout stage, are priced as if they’re part of a World Cup showdown.
For instance, during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, quarterfinal tickets ranged from $80 to $425. By contrast, the cheapest ticket for the Club World Cup quarterfinals is set at $279. Even the final is going for much higher than it was last year.
Loyal Bayern fans hoping to follow their team through the tournament could face costs between $1,939 and $4,300 over seven matches. Comparatively, attending a Bundesliga match at home might only set them back about $15.
For reference, ticket prices for the 2024 European Championship remain much more accessible, averaging between $35 and $65. Even for the final, seats can start at under $100.
As for the upcoming 2026 World Cup, ticket prices are anticipated to average around $300. The 1994 World Cup holds the record for attendance, with 3.5 million fans present, generating around $84 million in ticket sales—equivalent to about $180 million today. In stark contrast, the upcoming tournament is expected to generate a staggering $1.8 billion from ticket sales.
This drastic shift in ticket pricing shows how far soccer has come in the U.S. The American audience has grown accustomed to these high costs, and it remains to be seen how they’ll react.
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Inter Miami CF, International Football, Men's World Cup, MLS, Soccer
