Ticket prices continue to fall but still much higher than previous WC. Hotel reservations are lower than in a normal year. Complaints of visa issues, though the US did just waive the $15k bond they impose on some countries. Curious if demand is below expectations in Canada and Mexico. Is it the prices or the visa’s that are causing more problems?
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I like soccer…If there was a game at Soldier Field I’d consider going but not for more than 200 bucks
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… that doesn’t even look like Messi.
On the tickets front, it’ll be interesting to see how things play out as game days get closer. Some chatter I’m hearing from folks…
FIFA is holding onto tickets yet to sell. Prices tbd. If you’re a fan wanting a live experience, and not picky about which teams are playing, it may pay to wait.
The last thing FIFA wants is swaths of empty seats b/c of currently high prices. e.g. Jordan vs. Austria is an opening round game, not a marquis matchup, so those prices will likely drop in order to fill up (there are 70k seats at Santa Clara). Portugal vs. Columbia is a marquis matchup, so unlikely for those to come down, or to have unsold inventory. US vs Paraguay is an opening match where ticket sales are far behind initial expectations.
The way things are setup, a relatively attractive ticket price may not be cheap if everything else is still at price gouging levels (transportation, hotels, etc.).
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Other WC developments to watch in the next few days are final roster announcements.
Brazil named their roster – Neymar made the cut.
England will be announcing their final team soon.
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My ticket experience:
Signed up for the hospitality mailing list years ago at a refundable $500 per (so $2,500 per family). When the hospitality tickets were finally announced they were so ludicrously priced we pulled all our money back. Strike 1.
Then the lottery opened up and we put in for 5 tickets at every game England could conceivably play in. If we got them all the face value would have been $80,000 (which, for avoidance of doubt, my credit card can NOT handle - this was a calculated risk!). We got…zero tickets. Nada. Rien. Strike 2.
The latest fake map scandals have been strike 3 for me. I’m so p*ssed off about how egregious and extractive the ticketing has been that my head just isn’t in the right space to even go see if the “ticket prices in free fall” headlines are true. I wouldn’t turn down a ticket to see England in the final of course, but my motivation to get back in the FIFA / Ticketmaster cash-grab is zero.
So, I bought a 98” TV from Costco and am going to set up constant viewing parties in my back-yard instead. My sole focus is on making sure my disgust doesn’t spoil my kids’ enjoyment of the tournament. If every tournament in some way reflects the hosts then I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that America is getting the corrupt, obnoxious, disrespectful and ruinously expensive tournament it deserves. At least we’ll get to watch BTS rub up against a 67 year-old Madonna at half-time in the final am I right?!
This is what I will never understand about high prices for tickets. Unless you have some of the best seats in the stadium, you are always going to be able to watch things better on a TV. The challenge then is to create the atmosphere of the game by inviting the right people to share the game with. If you can’t do that at your house, then find the right local pub. I am with Windy, I might drop $200 but any more than that and I would be happier watching with friends or local drunks.
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Generally I’m right there with you. I’ve been to many a soccer game but never a world cup game. I’d love to experience the atmosphere of fans from all over the world for this kind of event. But once would be good, other than that I wanna watch on a big screen with some friends and family at a bar.
Not only am I boycotting WC but any city that hosts it with their stupid added hotel taxes etc. I’m giving Toronto the finger.
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The WC atmosphere is pretty amazing. The last time the US hosted, our town was flooded with a bunch of Brazilian fans. It was a week long party. You didn’t need to go to the actual match to participate.
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I hope that’s going to be the case this time, but I wouldn’t bank on it (gift link, re. Argentina)
The key quote from the article
FIFA says it needs the income to fund soccer development around the world.
You mean Toronto doesn’t always get the middle finger?
I agree that the TV experience is better if you want to focus more on the game itself. With replays, closeups, commentary (depending on who’s commenting), etc. you get more out of the game. And with large screen hi-def, resolution is excellent.
Yes, what you miss is the atmosphere, the shared bonding with and against fans etc. But the more attention is on the social stuff, the less is on the game. Lots of times I’ve been having fun with friends in the stands and missed a big play on the field.
Also what I do miss when not at a game is the stuff that’s not on TV. e.g. How particular player(s) move off the ball when away from the play. Cavani was great at positioning himself in the box as offense developed. I like watching goalie’s adjust when the opposing team starts a counter attack, etc. etc.
I don’t see myself hunting down tickets for this WC. But I don’t feel I’m really going to be missing out either.
Why is that the key quote? I don’t know anyone who would pretend that FIFA isn’t a laughably corrupt enrichment scheme - start with the Garcia Report(s), continue on with the 2022 racketeering cases (one of which a friend of mine served on), it’s not exactly a secret. There’s no reason to extend FIFA a hair of credibility and every reason to assume that quote is utter CYA bullsh*t.
The reason they’re trying dynamic pricing this year is the same reason everyone tries it. The technology exists and the temptation to maximize revenue, even if it means everyone that buys a ticket does so at the exact price point they resent doing so, and swathes of fans are excluded altogether to the long term detriment of the sport, is just too tempting.
Same here.
We were looking at doing a weekend in Vancouver, just to take the kids to the aquarium, do some site seeing etc. Hotels were absolutely nuts. I forgot that it was during the WC.
A report came out the other day saying the WC was going to cost BC half a billion dollars. For what? Grass? We already have the stadiums.
And to think my wife’s nursing union is about to go on strike because the province says they have to cut their benefits due to lack of funds. This is the Olympics fiasco all over again.
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As part of the lead up to the WC, there’s a several part documentary on the USMNT airing on HBO.
Caught episode 2 - about the gold cup performance (lack of) that led to Berhalter’s exit.
Good behind the scenes footage about the team and players.
NYC residents have a chance … details are in the article.
Basically it’s a lottery, includes round trip transportation, can purchase 2 tickets. Relative to current prices, it’s a great deal.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/48836960/mamdani-50-world-cup-ticket-lottery-fuels-feud-nj
New Jersey is not thrilled