From $474 to $13.40: FIFA’s Bold Move to Fill Stadium for Club World Cup Semi

Ticket Price Slashed to Just $13.40

FIFA has dramatically cut the standard ticket price for the upcoming semifinal between Chelsea and Fluminense at MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey) from $473.90 to just $13.40—a 97% reduction—within the past week.

This move is part of FIFA’s dynamic pricing model applied across the 63‑match tournament to fill stadiums amid historically low attendance.

Why FIFA Made the Cut

• Sparse crowds have plagued matches outside of fixtures involving Real Madrid — several games are attracting fewer than 20,000 attendees.
• Real Madrid remains the tournament exception, consistently drawing 60,000+ fans (76,611 for their quarterfinal vs Dortmund).
• Dynamic pricing was already implemented since late 2024; now it’s being escalated to bring ticket costs below that of a stadium beer or sandwich.

Pricing Snapshot

Context & Implications

• The steep ticket cuts highlight unequal demand: marquee clubs like Real Madrid draw big crowds, while others struggle.
• These adjustments align with FIFA’s strategy to further refine dynamic pricing ahead of the 2026 World Cup in North America.
• Media dubbed it “cheaper to go to the semi-final than buy beer at the stadium” — a quip rooted in local stadium pricing .

What’s Next

• Will the price drop succeed in filling the ~82,500‑seat MetLife Stadium?
• The next semifinal (PSG vs Real Madrid) retains a higher starting price of $199.60, testing demand for high-profile European teams.
• FIFA will look to gauge fan response ahead of rolling out similar models for the upcoming 2026 World Cup.

In short: FIFA’s decision to slash the Chelsea–Fluminense ticket to just $13.40 reflects a bold attempt to counteract flagging fan interest. It’s a real‑time experiment in pricing strategy — and one that could reshape how major football events are priced in the age of dynamic ticketing.