Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

World Cup in crisis as ticket, travel and transport bust-up kicks off between host states and Fifa who are making $11bn
The Sun ^ | 18 Apr 2026 | David Scott

Posted on 04/19/2026 1:34:04 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican

THE 2026 World Cup is shaping up to be expensive for fans.

Depending on what stadium your ticket is for — if you even got one due to exorbitant prices — transit and lodging costs are cripplingly high.

This year’s World Cup was marketed as a tournament to get Americans excited about soccer and be a place where all fans could come and watch their countries compete.

Instead, it has become a bidding war with both Fifa and local governments setting incredibly high prices.

The cheapest tickets for less favorable games start at around $140 for a seat, but can range upwards of $11,000 for more exciting games.

Take, for example, the United States’ opening game against Paraguay in Inglewood, California on June 12.

Earlier this month Fifa added new tiers of tickets, charging up to $4,105 for a “front category 1” seat.

The less desirable “category 1” seats still sold for $2,735 and the even lesser “category 2” tickets ranged between $1,940 to $2,330.

If a fan did end up getting a ticket at an affordable price, they are now facing incredibly high transit costs.

This month, just weeks away from the start of the tournament, New York/New Jersey and Boston both announces massive price hikes to transportation to and from host stadiums.

(Excerpt) Read more at the-sun.com ...


TOPICS: Sports
KEYWORDS: fifa; mta; newjersey; nyc; rail; soccer; transportation; worldcup
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-74 last
To: MinorityRepublican

Communist sport for Communists. Let them pay through the nose.


61 posted on 04/19/2026 7:53:31 PM PDT by bray (Thank God for Israel)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MinorityRepublican

.... counting cars.... 🥱


62 posted on 04/19/2026 8:16:02 PM PDT by Varsity Flight ( "War by 🙏 the prophesies set before you." ) I Timothy 1:18. Nazarite warriors. 10.5.6.5 These Days)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

The cotton Bowl is where the free fan experience is.

https://www.dallasfwc26.com/our-venues/fan-festival/

You can watch all the games on megatrons, there will be food, live music and general fandom.

There was no way Jerry was going to not get the matches at AT&T it’s a superior inside climate controlled venue for June and the semi final mid July in Texas no way no how was this going to be outside in 100+ degree heat.

They should open up Globe Life as overflow and put the match on the huge screens there inside you can hold 43,000 in seats and probably 20,000 more on the field meadows style.


63 posted on 04/19/2026 10:22:54 PM PDT by GenXPolymath
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

Between local biz opening up lots for parking, uber/lyft making a killing on surge pricing to the dedicated drop point plus drops all over the surrounding areas within a mile ish walk. I bet Uber puts a 2 mile radius in the algorithm for surge charges outside that you get cheap rides inside not so much.

Oh an driveways and garages will be sold , Texas is capitalist

Just one of many apps

https://prked.com/

Facebook market place, Craigslist, Offer Up will and are loaded with people selling game day parking in their driveways, yards and garages it’s a capitalist bonanza.

Same for AirBnB and their offbook illicit short term rental market “Can’t stop the signal Mal”

Turo and the various car rental apps are hot over this month too as are all the off book P2P uber tyour ride share apps and boards. I know a couple of “uber” drivers they make 3x as much with direct P2P using their personal phones and Venmo , cash or other cash apps for repeat riders basically you own personal uber driver more like a black car service on tap.

You send a group text to all the drivers you know BCC so they don’t see or reply to each other and the first one who confirms is your guy then say no thanks in mass to the rest easy peasy and those goons at uber don’t pocket 75% your driver gets 100% you just need to build a relationship with you’re group of drivers they will look at what uber would charge and cut 40% or sometimes more off if it’s a cash ride aka tax free for them.

Again can’t stop the signal Mal...


64 posted on 04/19/2026 10:34:12 PM PDT by GenXPolymath
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 59 | View Replies]

To: Vigilanteman

Grandson pretty acccurate about soccer.

Rugby is mayhem, maybe he’ll find that more fun to watch. I do and don’t have a clue what the heck they are doing out on that field. Looks like free-for-all combo of football, wrestling and murder. LMAO every time I see it.


65 posted on 04/19/2026 11:14:14 PM PDT by Veto! ((Trump is Superman))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 16 | View Replies]

To: MinorityRepublican

New York/New Jersey and Boston both announces massive price hikes to transportation to and from host stadiums.

Something like $150 from Grand Central to NJ.

What about the poor schmucks just trying to get to and from work who normally pay around $14?


66 posted on 04/20/2026 3:36:54 AM PDT by Adder (End fascism...defeat all Democrats.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: MinorityRepublican

Price gouging is the reason these blue cities bid to be a venue...the income stream. Dayly commuter be damned.


67 posted on 04/20/2026 4:28:49 AM PDT by Mashood
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Veto!

LOL! Now I am going have to watch Rugby just to see it in action.


68 posted on 04/20/2026 6:34:17 AM PDT by Vigilanteman (The politicized state destroys many aspects of civil society, human kindness and private charity.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 65 | View Replies]

To: Libloather

Yes save money see it on TV.


69 posted on 04/20/2026 7:05:04 AM PDT by Vaduz (NEVER TRUST A DEMOCRAT)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Mozzafiato

I like watching it during the WC every four years, played at a very high level. That’s about it. The fact that a US vs. Mexico “friendly” played here around Charlotte is basically an away game for the USMNT is a deal-breaker. ICE could do a massive land-office business rocking up to Bank of America Stadium about 25 minutes into the first half, closing off the stadium, and checking everybody’s documents as they leave. Better have half the UPS fleet on hand to haul them all back to Meheeco.

}:-)4


70 posted on 04/20/2026 4:31:26 PM PDT by Moose4 (All I ever wanted was to be left alone.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 53 | View Replies]

To: Moose4

I agree on that front. It’s insane how many throngs of people from Mexico, and the Central and South American teams attend their games for friendlies in the US. Those folks are not flying into the USA for those games, they already live here. I was at a USA-Mexico game at the Rose Bowl several years ago and there were probably 1,000 of USA fans surrounded by 99,000 vile Mexican fans. It was brutal and I vowed never to return for a game against Mexico. They could’ve parked ICE outside and probably deported 65,000 people that day.


71 posted on 04/20/2026 5:36:02 PM PDT by Mozzafiato
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 70 | View Replies]

To: dfwgator

I saw that. Thank you for that. I think their success sometimes grieves staunch Sooner fans that believe the only sport is football. They are now talking locally of having a bronze statue made for Coach KJ Kindler for the 8 national championships she has directed since she became head coach. It is proposed being erected at Heisman Park outside the football stadium with the school’s Heisman winners and Bob Stoops.

I first met her at a basketball pre-game gathering when she attended to speak to a group (700-800) of boosters in 2014. She was there to generate excitement for her program in ladies gymnastics, and sat at my table incognito before being introduced. She offered me and others at the table a free admission to watch her team, and told me about her career at Iowa State. I think the former long time AD liked hiring coaches from Iowa as the current women’s head basketball coach was hired away from Iowa. But when I tried to chat with Kindler about her college career and coming into the middle of the country for college at ISU from Connecticut via Minnesota, and learned that she had been a champion gymnast for a couple of seasons in high school there, but went to ISU as a result of being given a full scholarship for her sport. Every time I tried to learn more about her personal career, she deflected politely back to her team.She was a great ambassador for her sport and team without seeking fame or acclaim except for herself. She had a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and knowledge of each of her “girls”. I remember thinking that the way she shined the light on others was much like a ringmaster in a circus - she introduced and spoke of every individual, and then stepped back into the shadows with humility when the spotlight found the gymnast. She is currently focused on the strength if her team as she had one daughter that is a collegiate gymnast at Iowa, but not at the level of the ladies at OU. The 8th title is special and also equal to, but overshadowed by the 8 national championships if the OU softball team.

But as with all other sports, gymnastics and softball play of minor interest as the focus of most fans is on the 7 football national championships - but with the last one being in 2000, ladies gymnastics and softball have collected more fans as most like to follow current winners. The ladies have won

The success of OU under Kindler has created a current revelation that there will be built a separate stadium just for men’s and women’s gymnastics. They competed in an old fieldhouse that was abandoned in 1975 when the new (at that time) basketball arena was opened. At 55 years of age, she will probably be around for a few more years. I remember thinking that she was a quality lady that was a keeper and had the right mindset for a coach and leader. She was a teacher, encourager, nurturer, strategist and psychologist for her “girls”. OU is lucky to have her.

Kindler expressed surprise at being able to beat LSU, Florida, and Minnesota with the very last routine. It was unexpected. She said afterwards that: “It was disbelief today,” head coach K.J. Kindler said. “We were on the edge of our seats and I honestly could not believe it. You don’t get immune to the feeling of having an accomplishment like this. All those teams are special in very different ways, and you have different memories based on the personnel. That euphoric feeling never goes away.” Personally, I thought that they had better years before qualifying for the finals; but they showed me! I think it is the true coach convincing her players that they can and should exceed even their own expectations. She get every ounce of ability from her gymnasts. I have always thought that a voluntary coach assisted more than anyone will ever know. That volunteer is named Nadia Comaneci who is married to Bart Connor.

Again, thank you.

My best regards to you, my FRiend

Gwjack


72 posted on 04/21/2026 3:33:48 AM PDT by gwjack (May God give America His richest blessings.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 43 | View Replies]

To: cpdiii

I LOVE watching Rugby even though I have no clue what’s going on. Just bruisers running into one another with referee whistles blowing but nothing changes. I’ve introduced a couple of friends to Rugby and they like it too even though it’s totally incomprehensible. That’s a very large part of the fun.

My fave sport is golf. Took lessons, vision sucks too much to find the ball. End of my quest to be a great female athlete. God forbid there are female Rugby games. My 112 lb body woud be ground into dust in the first 43 seconds.


73 posted on 04/21/2026 5:56:10 PM PDT by Veto! ((Trump is Superman))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 24 | View Replies]

To: Paladin2

My son loved watching hockey when he was in grade school. Years later, I met a fellow who did P.R for local professional hockey team and he invited me to a game. He explained everythng they did and why all the way through the game. THAT game was fun to watch.


74 posted on 04/21/2026 6:05:14 PM PDT by Veto! ((Trump is Superman))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-74 last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson