The World Cup is back in North America, something that hasn’t happened since 1994, with games in the United States, Mexico, and Canada spanning from this June to July. After more than 30 years, fans across the continent — regardless of whether they call it football or soccer — finally have a chance to see the sport live at its highest stage. Or so they thought. Because for many fans, this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity comes with a massive price tag. 

For the first time in World Cup history, FIFA has announced that ticket prices will be determined using “dynamic pricing,” which, like airline or hotel pricing, can fluctuate based on real-time demand. While it can work well for smaller-scale tournaments like the Club World Cup — where tickets for a Chelsea vs. Fluminense semifinal dropped from $473 down to just $13 due to weak demand — World Cup tickets are in high demand regardless of the price. Because of this, tickets for less significant games are still incredibly pricey; the cheapest ticket to see Spain play against Cabo Verde (the 67th-ranked team worldwide) in the first stage of the tournament starts at almost $400 for the least attractive seats. In contrast, more exciting group-stage games, such as Spain vs. Saudi Arabia, start at $500. Both prices are comparable to similar seating at an NFL conference championship or an NCAA Basketball Tournament Finals game. 

This new approach to ticket pricing has outraged almost every type of soccer fan, from young recreational players to professionals playing in the tournament itself. At a recent local soccer practice, multiple players had ruled out attending the World Cup entirely, despite it being a lifelong dream, simply because it is too expensive. Instead, many joked that they would prefer to watch the tournament in VR at home rather than spend hundreds of dollars on travel and tickets. This sentiment is shared by professional players as well. US Men’s National Team player Timothy Weah said the prices are “too expensive,” adding that “lots of real fans will miss matches” and that “football should still be enjoyed by everyone.” In response to the backlash, FIFA introduced a “Supporter Entry Tier” of  $60, but these are allocated to national federations for distribution to only their most loyal registered supporters. This represents only 10% of each team’s incredibly limited allocation, amounting to about 1.6% of total seats per game and leaving the vast majority of tickets out of reach for the average fan.

If you still want to see a World Cup game despite being priced out by FIFA, here’s what costs could look like for an Enloe student. The closest host venue is Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA, about a six-and-a-half-hour drive of over 436 miles (somewhere around $120 in gas round trip). From there, the cheapest group stage ticket currently available starts at around $120 to $250, before factoring in other costs like increased hotel pricing, food, and incredibly expensive parking. All around, the experience could easily cost $500 or more for one person, making for a very expensive item to cross off your bucket list.

For a sport that prides itself on being the “world’s game,” accessible for anyone with a ball and a flat surface nearby, FIFA’s decision to prioritize profit over passion has cost millions of fans worldwide the ability to realize a lifelong dream of seeing a World Cup game live. Even for many fans in North America, the tournament may as well be hosted on another continent.