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UEFA plans to freeze Euro 2028 ticket prices, offering fans relief as FIFA faces backlash for World Cup costs soaring up to $8,000.
UEFA and FIFA are currently in a tug-of-war over ticket prices (Credit: X)
At a time when FIFA is facing mounting criticism over soaring prices for the upcoming World Cup, UEFA appears to be moving in the opposite direction.
According to The AthleticUEFA is planning to freeze most ticket prices for the men’s EURO 2028, offering fans a far more accessible route into stadiums.
FIFA, meanwhile, is betting on demand to justify its pricing model.
FIFA’s Pricing Problem
FIFA’s ticket structure for the expanded 104-game World Cup has raised eyebrows across the board. Of the 6.7 million tickets available, prices vary wildly across categories.
The cheapest category-four tickets start at $60 (£45) for group-stage matches. But the top-end category-one seats for high-profile games can climb to $2,700 (£2,050).
The gap widens further in the knockout rounds, with final tickets at the MetLife Stadium priced from over $2,000 (£1,500) to nearly $8,000 (£6,000).
FIFA has defended its approach by pointing to overwhelming demand — over 500 million requests in the last sales phase — and reiterating its status as a non-profit that reinvests tournament revenue into global football development.
Still, criticism has been loud and persistent. Fans’ groups have flagged concerns over dynamic pricing, limited availability of cheaper tickets, and additional resale platform fees.
The backlash even escalated into a formal complaint filed with the European Commission by Football Supporters Europe alongside a consumer rights organisation.
UEFA’s ‘Fans First’ Counter
In contrast, UEFA is positioning EURO 2028 as a more fan-friendly event. The tournament, set to be hosted across the UK and Ireland, will retain pricing structures similar to Euro 2024.
That means “Fans First” tickets are expected to cost around £26 ($34), with the next tier at roughly £52 ($69). Notably, more than 40% of the approximately three million tickets will fall within these affordable categories.
In practical terms, a supporter could attend multiple group-stage matches at EURO 2028 for the price of a single add-on expense, like stadium parking, at the World Cup, which currently averages around $175 (£132).
But, UEFA has also hinted that premium and hospitality offerings may see price increases, potentially through a new high-end “1+” category.
March 30, 2026, 8:21 PM IST
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