Donald Trump Criticizes Soaring World Cup Ticket Prices, Declares He Won’t Pay for Admission
Donald Trump has expressed his dismay over the exorbitant ticket prices for the upcoming World Cup, stating he would not pay the high admission fees after learning about them. The tournament is set to take place across Canada, Mexico, and the United States this summer, and many fans are finding themselves priced out of attending.
Shock Over Ticket Prices
In a recent telephone interview, Trump revealed his astonishment upon discovering that tickets for the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles start at over £700. He remarked, “I did not know that number. I would certainly like to be there. But I wouldn’t pay it either, to be honest with you.”
Concerns for Working-Class Fans
Trump voiced concerns that the rising costs are excluding working-class supporters, a demographic he identifies as part of his core political base. He stated, “If people from Queens and Brooklyn and all of the people that love Donald Trump can’t go, I would be disappointed. I would like to be able to have the people that voted for me to be able to go.”
While he hinted at the possibility of his administration examining the issue more closely, he did not propose any specific measures to alleviate the financial burden on fans. Instead, he acknowledged the tournament’s significant commercial success, noting, “I know that is extremely successful, setting every record in the book; they’ve never had anything like it.”
Ticket Pricing and Resale Market
The average price for a ticket to the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19 is nearly £10,000, a stark contrast to the approximately £1,200 average for the 2022 World Cup final. Some resale listings on FIFA’s secondary marketplace have been priced as high as £1.7 million. FIFA President Gianni Infantino, during a recent conference, even joked about the latter figure, promising to deliver “a hot dog and a Coke” to any fan who paid that price.
Infantino defended the pricing strategy, citing the high demand for tickets. He stated, “We are in the market in which entertainment is the most developed in the world, so we have to apply market rates.” He also mentioned that ticket resale is permitted in the U.S., suggesting that lower-priced tickets would likely be resold at higher prices.
However, independent market data challenges this assertion. Gilad Zilberman, CEO of the secondary market comparison site SeatPick, noted that 72% of matches with comparable data showed secondary market tickets being cheaper than FIFA’s prices.
Hotel Industry Impact
Reports indicate that the hotel industry is also feeling the effects of the World Cup ticket pricing. A study from the American Hotel and Lodging Association revealed that nearly 80% of hotels in the 11 U.S. host cities are operating below initial World Cup forecasts. In Kansas City, 85 to 90% of operators reported demand lagging behind typical June or July levels without major events.
Factors such as visa complications, high airfare, and geopolitical concerns have deterred international travelers, leaving domestic fans as the primary audience. Trump suggested that prices might eventually drop, stating, “I think FIFA is struggling.”
Conclusion
As the World Cup approaches, the debate over ticket pricing continues, with fans and officials alike expressing concerns about accessibility. The tournament’s commercial success juxtaposed with the high costs raises questions about who will ultimately be able to attend.
As reported by www.mirror.co.uk.
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Published on 2026-05-08 01:17:00 • By FAME Delivered News Desk