FIFA generated five billion US dollars from ticket and hospitality sales during the men’s World Cup across the United States, Mexico, and Canada, according to a report published by the Times.

How much did ticket revenue jump from the Qatar tournament?

Ticket and hospitality revenue for the North American tournament reached approximately five billion US dollars, roughly 4.49 billion euros, according to figures reported by the Times and cited by Salzburger Nachrichten. That total represents more than a fivefold increase compared to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where ticket sales brought in 929 million dollars.

Why did revenue climb so dramatically for the North American tournament?

While the 2022 competition in Qatar featured 64 matches, this summer’s XXL tournament expanded by 16 additional teams to total 104 games, creating significantly more inventory for ticket and hospitality sales.

Did FIFA officially confirm the five billion dollar figure?

FIFA has not officially confirmed the revenue total.

What sparked criticism regarding the ticket sales practices?

The pricing structure and sales methods for the tournament drew intense criticism and attracted the attention of judicial authorities in both Germany and the United States. The ticketing system utilized a dynamic pricing model that caused ticket prices to fluctuate wildly. FIFA profited from the official secondary marketplace by collecting a 15 percent fee from both the buyer and the seller for every ticket transacted.

How has FIFA defended its ticketing model and financial gains?

FIFA pointed to the availability of lower-priced admission tickets and defended the financial structure by highlighting a recently approved increase in distributions to its member associations. A FIFA spokesperson told the Times that the revenue generated from the tournament will provide member associations with unprecedented resources for football investments.