The eye-watering cost of World Cup tickets: England fans forced to shell out $1,000 for group stage matches – with $4,500 VIP seats completely sold out for national team’s clash with Ghana
At the most expensive sporting event in world history, it’s painful to even hear the talk of superiority about the eye-watering costs.
England fans arriving in Boston for the next World Cup match can only smile and bear it as they compare the astronomical prices of tickets, hotels and food and how much their bank balances are suffering.
But demand is still insatiable: the $4,500 (£3,400) VIP seats, complete with champagne and canapés, for England’s clash with Ghana at Boston Stadium on Tuesday night have been sold out.
The 2026 World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico is the ‘largest hospitality program ever run’, with customers demanding helicopter transfers, five-star hotels and the chance to rub shoulders with star players, according to organisers.
I’ve met fans in well-paying jobs in the City of London who come here for the atmosphere but can’t afford actual match tickets.
Entry-level tickets in Qatar in 2022 are fixed at £68.50, with the tournament’s most expensive final ticket cost just over £1,200. England fans pay nearly the same amount for two tickets to group stage matches, with last-minute resale tickets starting at $1,000.
Dominic Reynolds, 46, from north London, who came to Boston from Dallas, where England beat Croatia 4-2 in their opening match, said: ‘It was worth being there, but the costs are out of this world. I spent $150 on a round of beer, and it seems like every time you move, someone wants a 20 percent tip. ‘I was afraid to look at my bank balance.’
Paul Scott, 48, who spent £10,000 to watch England’s three group matches, said it was a Christmas present from his wife Claire.
Leicestershire electrician Russ White faces a £300 school fine for bringing his 10-year-old daughter. Photo of Russ White with his daughter
‘It would cost a lot for him to come too, and he knows how much I want to come here,’ he said.
‘So we had a six-day vacation in Costa Rica, then he flew away and I came here with his blessing.’
The couple run The Wall Panel Centre, a builders’ merchant in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, and Mr Scott said: ‘I love America and the reception here has been phenomenal. I’d love to think we’ll get to the final. I think England is knocking on that door.’
A fan faced a £300 school fine for bringing his 10-year-old daughter; This is in addition to the thousands already paid in fines. Leicestershire electrician Russ White posted a photo of himself holding a sign that read: ‘I was supposed to be at school but my dad brought me to the World Cup!’
He said: ‘I’ll get a £300 fine from the school, but it’s money well spent. Come on England!’
On Location, the tournament’s official VIP provider, said it had more than doubled its hospitality revenue record by selling more than half a million packages, while Stuart McNeill of London-based concierge service Knightsbridge Circle was quoted in The Times as saying the six tickets for the final sold to a customer in the Middle East, worth $4 million, was ‘crazy, let’s be honest’. He added: ‘This is definitely a World Cup about money. FIFA makes big money.’
After Scotland fans won hearts and minds during a week-long pub crawl between the two opening matches, both held in Boston, England fans arriving in Boston have a hard act to follow.
The 30,000-strong Tartan Army was noisy and could smoke like a fish, but it caused no trouble and was a hit with the local ladies during long nights of revelry.
Now, with an influx of around 10,000 Three Lions fans expected, Boston Police have warned both sets of fans to be careful. England fans were caught on social media chanting offensive slogans about Scotland star John McGinn in Dallas, while Tartan Army fans were seen tearing down the England flag in Boston.
Boston Police said: ‘We encourage our supporters to be aware of the law, their behavior and their actions. ‘Our police presence has increased and we are working with our law enforcement partners.’
With three days to go before England’s next game, scores of fans are stopping off in Tennessee on their way from Dallas to Boston to visit Elvis’ Graceland estate in Memphis. Traveling bands dress up as the kings of rock and roll and pose with giant St George flags.
