Controversy Over High Ticket Prices for 2026 World Cup Final and PMA Allocations
The cheapest ticket for the 2026 World Cup final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey has been priced at $4,185 (£3,120, €3,563), sparking concerns among fans and supporter groups. The Croatian Football Federation's PMA (Pre-Match Allocation) uses fixed prices for tournament tickets, with PMA allocations comprising 8% of stadium capacity per match. However, these prices appear to be based on the attractiveness of the fixture rather than a standard rate.
Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has condemned the pricing approach as a “monumental betrayal,” urging FIFA to halt PMA ticket sales and review the pricing and category distribution. Attending every match via PMA would cost about €6,900 (£6,041, $8,110), which is five times more expensive than attending all matches at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. For example, the England opening match against Croatia on 17 June is advertised at a minimum £198 for the cheapest PMA tickets, as per the Croatian Football Association.
FIFA has opened a random selection draw for World Cup tickets, with an online window running until 13 January offering tickets at fixed prices. In contrast, earlier sales windows employed dynamic pricing. England supporters groups such as the England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC) and Free Lions have been involved in pricing discussions and have voiced concerns about the high costs involved for fans wishing to attend the tournament.
