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Football is a sport beloved by millions of fans worldwide. Its popularity can be seen in the passionate support of fans who are willing to pay top dollar to watch their favourite teams compete. This high demand has resulted in some of the most expensive football tickets ever sold, as fans eagerly seek the opportunity to witness history being made on the field.
In the following article, we’ll explore some of the factors that contribute to the high price of football match tickets and look at some of the most expensive tickets ever sold.
2018 FIFA World Cup Final: £1,100
The FIFA World Cup is the largest football competition worldwide, taking place once every four years. The 2018 final was contested by France and Croatia at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, with tickets for the event being sold for prices as high as £1,100.
2014 FIFA World Cup Final: £3,000
The 2014 FIFA World Cup Final was hosted at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium, featuring a highly-anticipated game between Germany and Argentina, watched by millions worldwide. The event’s tickets were in high demand, with some being sold for as much as £3,000.
El Clasico: £4,500
El Clasico refers to the football matches played between Real Madrid and Barcelona, considered as two of the most prominent clubs globally. Due to their immense popularity, tickets for these matches have been sold at some of the highest prices in football history. In 2014, the El Clasico match held at Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium witnessed ticket prices soaring as high as £4,500.
Arsenal vs. Barcelona: £5,000
Taking place at the Stade de France in Paris, the 2006 UEFA Champions League Final was a much-awaited event for football enthusiasts. The match saw Arsenal and Barcelona face off against each other, and tickets for the game were sold at a staggering price of £5,000.
Manchester United vs. Barcelona: £8,000
In 2011, the UEFA Champions League Final was held at London’s Wembley Stadium, featuring two of the most renowned football clubs globally, Manchester United and Barcelona. The event was a highly sought-after affair, with tickets for the match being sold at prices as high as £8,000.
2014 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final: £11,500
The Estádio Mineirão in Brazil hosted the 2014 FIFA World Cup Semi-Final, where two football giants, Brazil and Germany, competed against each other. The event was a highly anticipated one, with tickets for the match being sold for as high as £11,500.
UEFA Champions League Final 2021: £15,000
The UEFA Champions League stands as one of the foremost esteemed football competitions globally, and its culmination ranks among the most viewed athletic spectacles internationally. Portugal’s Estádio do Dragão hosted the 2021 final, where tickets fetched prices as high as £15,000.
Liverpool vs. Real Madrid: £20,000
The 2018 UEFA Champions League Final took place at the NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium in Kiev, where two of Europe’s most successful football clubs, Liverpool and Real Madrid, faced off against each other. The event was highly sought-after, with tickets being sold for prices as high as £20,000.
Tottenham vs. Liverpool: £25,000
In 2019, the UEFA Champions League Final took place at Madrid’s Wanda Metropolitano Stadium, featuring a thrilling match between Tottenham and Liverpool, two of Europe’s most prominent football clubs. The event was highly coveted, with tickets selling for prices as high as £25,000.
Will it get worse?
These high prices are primarily driven by a combination of factors such as the popularity of the teams playing, the limited number of available tickets, and the intense demand from fans.
Football enthusiasts are willing to pay a premium to witness their beloved teams in action, and as the sport continues to grow in popularity globally, we can, sadly, anticipate even more expensive tickets being sold by greedy ticket touts in the future.
In fact, the world’s most expensive football ticket sold in January 2023 when a wealthy business man paid £2.2million to see Lionel Messi face Christiano Ronaldo in an exhibition game. The starting price was £220,000 but was snagged for over £2.2m. Yikes.
So, how can you avoid paying such high prices? There are still ways to avoid paying such steep prices. Here are a few tips:
- Buy tickets directly from the club’s official website or ticket office. This is usually the most reliable and cost-effective way to purchase tickets.
- Sign up for the club’s mailing list or follow them on social media to get early access to tickets or special deals.
- Consider purchasing tickets for less popular games or competitions, as these are often priced lower.
- Avoid purchasing tickets from unofficial sources, as these may be counterfeit or invalid.
- If you are unable to secure tickets through official channels, consider watching the game at a local sports bar or through a live streaming service.
This way you can still enjoy the excitement of watching your favourite football team in action without breaking the bank.
