Overview
- FIFA added new Front Category 1 and 2 tiers without a public announcement, lifting prices to $4,105 for the U.S. opener in Inglewood and up to $3,360 for Canada’s first match, with the World Cup final’s top price now $10,990.
- Fans who bought Category 1 months ago report being placed in corners, behind goals, or even in Category 2 sections after maps were redrawn, while FIFA says the published maps were only indicative and not seat guarantees.
- World Cup tickets are sold by category rather than exact seat, which means two Category 1 buyers can end up in very different locations once assignments are made, a setup that has fueled confusion for buyers used to seat selection.
- Prime sideline rows appear to be held for hospitality packages and sponsors, limiting access for standard buyers and helping explain why many high-paying fans did not receive the best sightlines.
- Resale listings show extreme markups on FIFA’s exchange and secondary sites, including a ticket shown near £8.7 million, and reports say FIFA collects a 30% commission on resale margins as consumer groups and some lawmakers pursue complaints, including one filed with the European Commission.