FIFA slashes Club World Cup opener ticket prices by 84% amid low demand

Just four days before the kickoff of its ambitious new Club World Cup, FIFA is facing unexpected trouble: sluggish ticket sales, especially for the opening match. Despite featuring stars like Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Sergio Busquets, the Inter Miami vs. Al Ahly match in Miami’s 64,767-seat Hard Rock Stadium has sold fewer than 25,000 tickets, according to The Athletic. In response, FIFA has slashed prices up to 84%, with some tickets dropping from $349 to just $55.

Since tickets first went on sale on December 19, FIFA has carried out at least three price reductions, the latest just ten days before kickoff. A dynamic pricing system has also been implemented, adjusting prices based on demand and seat availability. High-end “premium experience” tickets originally priced at €725 ($780) have been cut to €260 ($280), while others fell from €525 to €125. Despite these efforts, thousands of seats remain unsold.

In total, FIFA will release 3.6 million tickets across 63 matches for a tournament distributing $1 billion in prizes. Early-round ticket prices now range from €30 to €250, while VIP options still run from €360 to over €2,000. Knockout stage prices increase significantly: round of 16 seats cost up to €200, quarterfinals up to €465, semifinals from €500 to €1,000, and the July 13 final in New Jersey starts at €840, reaching over €2,100. In an attempt to boost sales, FIFA has quietly introduced major discounts for both semifinals and the final, with some now available for as low as €125 and €265, respectively.

FIFA reports that fans from the U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Germany, and Japan are among the most active buyers so far. Real Madrid and Boca Juniors are the top draws, with Boca-Benfica, Boca-Bayern, and Real Madrid-Al Hilal among the most in-demand matchups.

Beyond high prices and tepid local excitement, organizers also face complications from the Trump administration’s strict immigration policies, which have made many international fans hesitant to travel due to visa uncertainties. For FIFA and U.S. authorities, this Club World Cup is viewed as a dress rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup, expected to attract 5.5 million visitors.