Dynamic Pricing System Leads to Sharp Increases for Both Group Stage and Final
Korean Fans Need at Least 860,000 Won to Attend All Group Stage Matches
The International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) has begun selling tickets for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, with prices for the final match tickets soaring to more than five times those of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Ticket prices for the group stage matches have also seen a significant overall increase.
According to AP and other foreign media outlets, FIFA announced that, starting December 12 (local time), ticket applications for the 2026 North and Central America World Cup are being accepted through its official website.
Individuals can apply for up to four tickets per match. After the application deadline, winners will be selected through a lottery, and results will be notified via email in February next year. It is not on a first-come, first-served basis, and the timing of the application within the application period does not affect the chances of winning.
Gianni Infantino, President of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA). Photo by Yonhap News
The highest-priced seat for next year’s World Cup final is reportedly set at $8,680 (approximately 12.78 million won). This is more than five times the price of the highest-tier seat for the 2022 Qatar World Cup final, which was $1,600. Group stage tickets have also been set at $180 to $700, a sharp increase compared to the $70 to $220 range at the Qatar tournament.
The sharp rise in prices is attributed to FIFA’s introduction of a “dynamic pricing system” for this tournament. Under this system, prices vary depending on the expected demand for each match, resulting in higher ticket prices for more popular games. Football Supporters Europe (FSE), a European football fan alliance, criticized the move, saying, “World Cup ticket prices have skyrocketed to unreasonable levels,” and described it as “a decision that ignores the contributions and accessibility of fans.”
For the Korean national team, the group stage will see them face the winner of the European Playoff Group D, Mexico, and South Africa. However, at the stadiums in Guadalajara and Monterrey, Mexico, where all three matches will be held, the lowest-priced Category 4 seats are unavailable. As a result, the lowest ticket category available for Korean fans is Category 3.
The match against the winner of the European Playoff Group D is priced at $180, the match against Mexico at $265, and the match against South Africa at $140. Therefore, attending all three matches will cost at least $585 (approximately 860,000 won). When including accommodation and travel expenses, the actual financial burden will inevitably be even higher.
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