Despite the high resale prices, tickets for the FIFA World Cup games in Vancouver and Toronto next summer remain highly sought after. The tournament, featuring 104 games across Canada, the United States, and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, has already sold over two million tickets, with the Vancouver and Toronto games selling out rapidly. The final draw to determine the teams for the matchups will take place after Friday.
While the exact percentage of tickets sold has not been disclosed yet, Canada’s chief tournament officer, Peter Montopoli, mentioned that all the tickets allocated for the early sales have been sold. The availability of future tickets will depend on the allocations received by participating member associations like Canada Soccer.
Fans from 212 countries and territories have purchased tickets so far, with the U.S. leading in sales, followed by Canada and Mexico. Tickets for group stage matches start at $60 US and can reach up to $6,730 for premium seats at the final game in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 19.
Responding to concerns about ticket prices, FIFA vice-president Victor Montagliani stated that market demand determines the pricing. The profits generated from the World Cup are crucial for supporting and developing soccer globally, with 85% of the funds going back to member countries to enhance the sport.
For fans who missed out on the ticket lotteries, secondary markets offer tickets at significantly higher prices. While some resale sites list tickets at exorbitant rates, FIFA’s upcoming phase of ticket sales will commence with a random selection draw from December 11 to January 13.