World Cup tickets: Second chance from today – what fans need to know

There are still almost eight months until the World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico. While many teams are still fighting to take part in the World Cup, the tournament, which is taking place for the first time with 48 teams, has long since begun for the fans. Today, the world association Fifa is starting the second phase of ticket sales – and this time everyone can get it.

No. The first step is for fans to register for sales on the Fifa website by October 31st. In contrast to the first phase, which was reserved for Visa card holders, this time anyone can apply.

FIFA did not provide exact information about the time when asked by the DPA news agency. The first registration phase in September began at 5:00 p.m. (CEST) on the start day. According to FIFA, the time of registration has no influence on the chances of being selected.

Anyone who is lucky in the subsequent random selection process will receive an email. This will inform successful participants of a time window – probably between November and the beginning of December – in which they can purchase tickets. Individual tickets for all 104 games as well as venue and team tickets are available.

The cheapest tickets for the preliminary round games will be available starting at $60. According to FIFA, the most expensive ticket for the final on July 19 in East Rutherford near New York costs over $6,000. The world association initially did not announce any further prize categories.

Thanks to many screenshots from the first sales phase, an insight into the pricing was possible. For the opening game on June 11th in the Aztec Stadium in Mexico City, according to the portal “The Athletic”, prices ranged from around 370 US dollars in the cheapest category to around 1,825 US dollars for the most expensive ticket. In addition, the prices seem to depend on where the game is played. A group game in Boston is cheaper than one in Los Angeles.

According to reports, there were very few $60 tickets available in the first period of sales. In addition, due to the dynamic pricing model, there were sometimes significant upward swings. According to The Athletic, the price of the USA’s second group game in Category 1 rose by $30 in two days.

No. There will be another chance after the group draw on December 5th in Washington. Fans can then also apply for fixed duels. Remaining tickets will be sold shortly before the tournament begins on a first come, first served basis – first come, first served.

Tickets for the fan blocks separated by team as well as reservations for the knockout games, which only become valid if a nation advances, will be available at a later date. The participating nations themselves are then likely to receive quotas again. The DFB had sold tickets for past tournaments through its own fan club.

A maximum of four tickets per game and a total of a maximum of 40 tickets for the entire World Cup can be purchased per household. All purchases linked to the same address in the Fifa ticket account are counted together towards the household quota.

Each child needs their own ticket. Babies carried in the arm or lap are excluded. FIFA writes that the baby must be no more than two years old and 86 centimeters tall on match day. Each person can only take one baby with them for free.

More than a million tickets are already gone. In mid-October, FIFA announced that fans from 212 countries and territories had purchased tickets for the final tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. In the demand ranking, the three host countries are at the top, followed by England and Germany.

On the one hand, because Visa card holders were given priority in Phase 1. Also because there are no longer fixed prices. These are dynamically adapted to demand. “Excessive prices, exclusive distribution systems and the systematic preference for wealthy customers lead to social exclusion and push active fan culture out of the stadiums,” criticized Jost Peter from the “Our Curve” alliance.

A third, major point of criticism is that FIFA makes a lot of money on the resale platform. Resellers and buyers each have to give 15 percent to the world association. So, out of a secondary market price of $200, the seller would only receive $170, but the buyer would pay $230 with the additional 15 percent purchase fee. FIFA would earn another $60 from the ticket.

In response to a request from the DPA news agency, a Fifa spokesman said that the chosen pricing model generally reflected the existing and evolving market practices of co-organizers for major entertainment and sporting events. The resale fees would be in line with industry trends in various sports and entertainment sectors.

This practice is common in the USA and Canada. Only in Mexico, due to national law, secondary market prices may not exceed the actual ticket price.

German citizens who enter the host countries for tourist purposes do not need a visa. However, for the trip to Canada or the USA, an electronic travel authorization must be applied for in advance. For a stay in Canada, the so-called eTA costs seven Canadian dollars per person. The ESTA fee for travel to the USA is US$40 per person.