High Costs Challenge Fan Access to the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States

A married couple from Virginia, Andrea Rojas and Carlos Ramon, spent nearly $10,000 to travel to three matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in Boston, New Jersey, and Miami. One of the matches they attended took place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where they joined other fans for the USA-Paraguay game. The pair saved for more than a year before purchasing tickets on FIFA’s official resale platform, paying $800 each before team schedules were announced. Their total outlay included game-day parking fees of $175 at Gillette Stadium in Boston and $150 at the Miami venue, $98 for commuter-train tickets in New York, plus car-rental, hotel, and airfare costs. Rojas noted that the expense was more than double what the couple paid for a comparable trip to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Wall Street Journal

The tournament is staged across multiple U.S. cities, requiring fans to travel between venues. FIFA’s ticketing system includes an official resale site that lists tickets before the match schedule is finalized, a practice that can inflate prices and compel early purchases at premium rates. The combination of dispersed locations and advance resale pricing contributes to higher overall travel and accommodation expenses for supporters.

Wall Street Journal

• Ticket price per match: $800 (official resale)

Wall Street Journal

• Parking at Gillette Stadium (Boston): $175

Wall Street Journal

• Parking at Miami venue: $150

Wall Street Journal

• Commuter-train ticket in New York: $98

Wall Street Journal

• Additional expenses: car rental, hotel rooms, airfare (unspecified amounts)

Wall Street Journal

• Total estimated cost for three matches: ? $10,000

Wall Street Journal

• Comparative cost: more than twice the expense of a similar 2014 Brazil trip for the same couple.

Wall Street Journal

Rojas expressed frustration with the pricing model, indicating a willingness to boycott FIFA if the current approach persists. She described the experience as resembling a “Super Bowl” environment that favors individuals with substantial disposable income or those prepared to incur significant debt. The couple’s perspective highlights broader concerns that high costs may limit participation among average fans.

Wall Street Journal

• “I would boycott FIFA because of what they’re doing” — Andrea Rojas, Virginia resident

Wall Street Journal

• “It’s basically turning into a Super Bowl – for people who have the means or are willing to get into crazy debt.” — Andrea Rojas, Virginia resident

Wall Street Journal

The high pricing model threatens the tournament’s accessibility for average supporters, potentially curbing attendance and prompting calls for more affordable ticketing. Rojas’s statement about boycotting FIFA highlights the risk of alienating fans who cannot afford the current costs.

Wall Street Journal