Despite the World Cup’s staggering prices, that hasn’t stopped soccer fans around the world from opening their wallets.
As of July 2, some of the best resale sheets from famous knockout matches are listed on StubHub for around $20,000. Many of the top-level resale seats were listed for around $5,000.
But tickets are only part of the cost. Add to this the cost of flights, hotels, rental cars, meals, merchandise, etc., and the cost of attending a tournament can add up to several thousand dollars.
Outside New York’s Penn Station, soccer fans watching World Cup games at MetLife Stadium told CNBC Make It that they expect to pay anywhere from a few thousand dollars to as much as $150,000 to attend a World Cup. Despite the high price, not a single person regretted spending the money.
cross country road trip
Tony Richardson and his son, visiting from England, spent several weeks traveling around the United States, planning their vacation around the World Cup games.
Richardson said she booked her ticket early and paid about $2,000 for airfare. They also spent about $1,000 per ticket and thousands more on rental cars and hotels as they traveled around the country.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip,” Richardson told CNBC Make It.
Their itinerary included one game from Orlando and Daytona Beach to Dallas, with stops in New Orleans, Graceland in Memphis, and Niagara Falls before England vs. Ghana in Boston. New York was the final stop.
“We had a great time,” Richardson said. “The people were really nice. It really changed my perception of America. Everyone was so friendly.”
Last World Cup before baby is born
Andrew Hall, a New Yorker and self-described “die-hard soccer fan,” didn’t have to pay for flights or hotels.
Instead, he splurged on a FIFA hospitality package. This is a premium alternative to the standard ticket, which guarantees access to the match of your choice and includes food, drink and lounge access. He said he paid about $2,000 per ticket and expected to spend more than $12,000 to attend the five games.
“My wife is pregnant, so she was kind of OK with it,” Andrew told CNBC Make It. “She said, ‘This is a gift to you. Use it with whatever you want.’
His wife attended two games, and a friend accompanied him to the remaining three games.
Andrew said he decided to participate in the tournament as soon as New York was announced as the host city and set reminders to sell tickets and book New Jersey transportation so he could get to the front of the line.
“Would I do it again? Absolutely,” Hall says. “I wish the World Cup was held every year.”
chasing the world cup
Rachel and Nigel Vincombe plan to spend about $150,000 on the 10 World Cup matches, making them the biggest spenders CNBC Make It spoke to.
Approximately $100,000 of this amount will be used for FIFA ticket packages, and the remainder will be used for travel, accommodation and other expenses. Their itinerary includes eight games in New Jersey, plus the quarterfinals in Miami and the semifinals in Atlanta.
The couple, who have been splitting their time between Israel and Australia, flew in from Tel Aviv for the tournament.
“This is my fifth World Cup,” says Nigel. “Experiencing a carnival with the fans is much better than a club match. I didn’t want to miss this.”
Spending doesn’t stop when the tournament ends. The Vincoms are already planning to participate in the next World Cup, which will be hosted by Portugal, Spain and Morocco.
“And it’s worth it,” Rachel says. “I’ll do it again.”
save for years
Miguel Macias plans to spend about $2,500 during his trip to New York, including about $700 for game tickets, $500 for flights and about $1,200 for hotels.
The Guadalajara, Mexico, resident has already attended a World Cup game in Mexico City, where he spent about $1,500, including on Airbnb.
“It’s like a celebration with people,” Macias told CNBC Make It. “It’s a great experience.”
Macias said he stashed cash for the trip for four years.
“I’ve been saving money for years for this experience and it’s 100% worth it,” he says.
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