Hand holding smartphone comparing World Cup ticket prices to mortgage payments.
Fans dreaming of attending the upcoming World Cup in North America may find their ticket to the games costs more than their home. In five of the 11 U.S. host cities, the cheapest tickets for late-stage matches have surpassed the average monthly mortgage payment, according to a report by Realtor.com.
The tournament, which kicks off in Mexico City, is expected to draw millions of fans across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. However, for many in cities like Miami, Dallas, Atlanta, Kansas City, and the New York metropolitan area, the cost of attending a match presents a significant financial barrier, not including travel, accommodation, or other expenses.
The most striking example is the final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. The least expensive tickets are priced at a staggering $7,256, far exceeding New York’s average monthly mortgage payment of $4,096.
Other cities also face steep ticket prices relative to local housing costs. In Dallas, semifinal tickets are listed from $2,391, slightly above the city’s average mortgage of $2,351. Atlanta’s cheapest semifinal seats are $2,208, compared to an average mortgage of $2,149. Kansas City’s tickets for a July 11 match start at $1,567, above its average mortgage of $1,477. In Miami, tickets for a June 27 match between Colombia and Portugal are $2,700, nearly matching the city’s average mortgage and rent.
The high cost has already deterred many potential attendees, with a survey indicating that 52% of U.S. soccer fans have given up on purchasing World Cup tickets due to the prices. Experts attribute this to a simple supply and demand dynamic, exacerbated by the
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