The cheapest ticket for Sunday’s World Cup final between Argentina and Spain costs $7,706 — the average of three months’ rent in New Jersey, where the match is being held. A semi-final seat in Atlanta set fans back $3,177, with parking reaching $234.99. At the 2022 World Cup, the best seats for the final averaged $1,607.
The eye-watering prices come as FIFA expands the half-time show to 30 minutes, despite IFAB laws dictating a 15-minute break. Justin Bieber, Madonna and Shakira are among the performers, with Shakira having appeared at “almost as many matches as Infantino” over the past six weeks, according to i journalist Daniel Storey, who called the extended interval an “absolute disgrace”. Closing ceremonies — featuring Nicole Scherzinger, Robbie Williams and Tom Cruise — already exist, he noted, arguing the extra interruption “actively risks harming” the match.
“World Cup final cheapest ticket costs $7,706 as half-time show expands to 30 minutes, sparking backlash.”
Spending on live events has soared across the board. NBA Finals tickets at Madison Square Garden peaked at $11,685 before dropping to $6,728 on game day, while average Finals tickets have ranged from $1,000 to $2,000. Coachella’s original passes cost $649 and $549, but resale prices exceeded seven times that amount. Concert tickets averaged $132.62 in 2025, up from $96.17 in 2019, with nearly 10 million more tickets sold than in 2019, according to Pollstar.
Larry Martin, chief commercial officer at secondary market Gametime, attributed the surge to pent-up demand after the pandemic. “People are craving real, in-person connection,” he said. “Shared experiences have become more valuable.” Research from Experian found 78 percent of consumers are willing to take on debt to attend a once-in-a-lifetime event like the Olympics. For this World Cup final, forking out over seven grand for a ticket is just the start.