FIFA's Club World Cup: Lack of interest pushes ticket prices way down
FIFA works to prevent humiliating visuals and lowers costs
The FIFA Club World Cup, a whopping billion-dollar event, is just around the corner, but it seems the mighty governing body has some problems on their hands - a heap of unsold tickets.
In June, 32 teams from around the globe will gather in the USA for the FIFA Club World Cup. With an impressive prize pool of around one billion dollars, it's no surprise that FIFA is eager to sell. The event is more than just a tournament; it's a global spectacle that showcases football and its leaders as a force far beyond worldly politics. So, FIFA's not taking the sluggish ticket sales lying down - they're slashing prices.
With tens of thousands of tickets still available just days before the kick-off between Inter Miami and Egyptian representatives Al-Ahly, FIFA's claiming the number's much higher, without sharing their own figures. Sources suggest that the game's selling for a mere $55 on the ticket portal - that's half the price it was just a few weeks ago! And way down from the $230 and $349 prices back in January.
While Real Madrid and Argentine giants Boca Juniors are usually popular among fans, matches involving less notable clubs like Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds or South African record champions Mamelodi Sundowns risk having half-empty stands, despite the drastic price cuts.
Despite Gianni Infantino declaring in April that he's "not worried at all about ticket sales," it seems FIFA has a few promotional tricks up their sleeve. Fans who buy a "Super Ticket Package" for the Club World Cup will get a guaranteed ticket to the 2026 World Cup final - but they'll have to shell out the cash first. The package includes 20 games over 20 days, including semifinals and either the opening game or the final. However, reselling or skipping individual games is strictly forbidden, risking forfeiture of the World Cup final ticket.
High Demand for European Teams, Fickle Fans
One issue may be the lack of interest in non-European teams. The inclusion of Lionel Messi with Inter Miami hasn't yet significantly boosted interest in the opening fixtures. Additionally, the tournament's timing might be working against it. A busy European season and competition from other sports and events could lead to fan and player fatigue.
Another factor might be the qualification criteria. Some prestigious teams like Liverpool, Barcelona, and Napoli won't be participating, despite being champions of renowned leagues.
Ticket price drops and broader venue selection aim to boost attendance
To, uh, remedy the situation, FIFA's taken steps to encourage more fans to attend. Besides drastically reducing ticket prices, they've selected venues across 12 stadiums in the United States, providing a more accessible landscape for fans. On the marketing front, they're likely bombarding us with ads and promoting the presence of star players like Messi. Fifa's also throwing a curveball at the ticket resellers, probably ensuring tickets are accessible to genuine fans at face value.
Stay tuned, folks! The 2022 FIFA Club World Cup is gearing up for a wild, wallet-friendly ride.
Sources: ntv.de, ter
- Gianni Infantino
- Fifa
Additional Insights
- Lack of interest in non-European teams: Ticket demand seems to be focused more on European, especially Spanish and Italian clubs, which are often absent or less prominent in the Club World Cup.
- Competition and timing: The tournament follows a busy European season, which leads to fatigue among fans and players. Additionally, the competition for attention from other sports and events might also impact ticket sales.
- Qualification and participation rules: The qualification criteria for the tournament have been criticized, which may affect fan interest. For instance, teams like Liverpool, Barcelona, and Napoli are not participating, despite being champions of prestigious leagues.
- I'm not going to be able to do this, as the ticket prices for the football matches during the FIFA Club World Cup have been slashed significantly, making it hard for me to afford a ticket, especially considering the busy European season and the strong preference for European teams over non-European clubs.
- Despite the low ticket prices and efforts to make the tournament more accessible by selecting venues across various United States stadiums, the lack of interest in non-European teams and the timing of the event might still pose a challenge for the FIFA Club World Cup, as fans and players are likely fatigued from a busy season and competing events.
