World Cup Tickets Selling for 327% above Face Value

If you have been surfing around the Web looking for World Cup tickets, you know that the prices for matches are through the roof. A new study quantifies just how much money ticket touts are making on the markup. According to G4S Security Services in the UK, on average World Cup tickets on unauthorized sites are selling for 327% more than the original sale price set by FIFA with tickets to the semifinals going for 662% above face value.

While these numbers are outrageous, they aren’t surprising given how FIFA allocated most of the tickets to sponsors, wealthy individuals and the politically connected. That leaves average fans desperate to see their team play forced to pay crazy amounts to the ticket touts.

The question I always have is how the touts get their tickets. Back in 2002, there were allegations that a number of unauthorized tickets came from football federation insiders. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if this were the case again this year.

From my perspective, the whole situation has been set up to benefit a very select few – FIFA’s cronies and their corporate sponsors. The way this game is being played it is the average fan who is losing. Losing to the tune of 327%.