Controversy over World Cup Ticket Prices: Market Law or Speculation?
Less than a month before the start of the World Cup, the controversy over ticket prices on resale platforms in the United States remains. FIFA, however, defends the “dynamic market law”, which allows users to adjust their prices according to demand. The ticket resale market for the World Cup has had a significant impact on prices. Online platforms operate legally in the United States, allowing users to resell tickets at the price they want, as long as there are buyers willing to pay. This system adjusts the value of entries according to demand, which can lead to considerable increases in highly popular events such as the World Cup.The FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, has defended this position, arguing that resale prices, even if considered high, end up being even higher on the secondary market. This is because, according to Infantino, if tickets are sold at a lower price, they will inevitably be resold at a higher price. This phenomenon not only affects the most important matches, but also less attractive encounters. For example, on Wednesday morning, the cheapest ticket for the debut of the United States against Paraguay in Los Angeles was selling for 942 dollars, while the most expensive reached 7,877 dollars. Also, prices for the debut of Argentina, the current world champion, against Algeria in Kansas City are also high, ranging from $776 to $5,362. It is worth noting that this dynamic market can also have the opposite effect. If demand is low, ticket prices could decrease considerably as the date of the match approaches.We have to observe the market. We are in the market where entertainment is the most developed in the world. That’s why we have to apply market prices.
Gianni Infantino, President of FIFA
