Ticket Prices Reach Tens of Thousands of Dollars... "We Can't Afford to Watch," Sigh Mexican Football Fans

Local Discontent Grows Over Surging Ticket Prices
Operational Controversies Further Dampen Anticipation

The atmosphere in Mexico, one of the host countries for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America (United States, Mexico, and Canada), remains lukewarm. Soaring ticket prices and inadequate preparations have triggered growing complaints among some fans, who say, "The World Cup is no longer a festival for ordinary people."

Soccer field view. Photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Pixabay

On May 5 (local time), CNN reported, "Although Mexico is making history as a World Cup host for the third time this summer, the sense of anticipation is not reflected among local fans."

Francisco Javier Pereira (70), who attended the World Cups held in Mexico in 1970 and 1986, told CNN, "I won’t be able to go this time." He explained, "The high ticket prices for the 13 matches in Mexico, the difficulty of securing tickets, and the relatively small number of matches compared to the other co-host nations have all dampened my excitement as a fan." He added, "Given Mexico's economic reality, only those with money will be able to enter the stadiums in the end."

Of the total 104 matches for this World Cup, only 13 will be held in Mexico. There will be four matches in Monterrey, four in Guadalajara, and five at Banorte Stadium in Mexico City, which will also host the opening match.

When FIFA released the second round of tickets in April, the opening match tickets for games held in Mexico ranged from $3,000 (about 4.4 million won) to $10,000 (about 14.69 million won).

Pereira said, "This World Cup is different from the previous two. In fact, it feels more like an American World Cup than a Mexican one, and the ticket prices are out of reach for most people."

Criticism about ticket prices is intensifying. Recently, official tickets for the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States, were sold at $10,990 (about 16.14 million won) per ticket. On FIFA's official resale platform, the lowest price for standard seats at the final was about $11,000 (about 16.16 million won), and some lower-level seats soared to $3 million (about 4.47 billion won).

On this platform, existing ticket holders can freely set their prices, and FIFA charges a 15% fee to both the buyer and the seller.

FIFA stated regarding ticket prices, "We have established a sales and secondary market model that reflects the market practices typically applied at major sports and entertainment events across the host countries." The organization also explained that tickets starting at $60 (about 90,000 won) were offered, and at least 1,000 low-priced tickets were allocated for every match. However, FIFA did not disclose how many of these tickets were actually purchased by local fans in Mexico.

The complaints have extended to stadium operations as well. Banorte Stadium in Mexico City reopened after 22 months of renovations, increasing its seating capacity, but the cost of attending matches during the World Cup remains a significant burden.

Complaints also arose during the reopening process of the stadium. The facilities were not fully completed, parking for general spectators was restricted, and approximately 82,000 fans had to walk around 2 kilometers to get to the venue.

Security concerns are also a major issue. Recently, in Mexico, after the arrest of drug cartel leader Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes (also known as 'El Mencho'), there were incidents of road blockades and vehicle arson. In addition, some residents complained that housing rents increased as properties were converted to short-term rentals for the World Cup.

CNN reported, "With the spotlight on issues such as costs and inadequate preparations ahead of the World Cup, the overall mood has become subdued. Outside the stadiums, protests continued, and young people blocked traffic and voiced concerns over water shortages and housing problems."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.