Shockingly low 1994 World Cup ticket prove how much prices have skyrocketed
Oh, how times have changed.A recently discovered dusty stack of 1994 World Cup tickets is serving as an unexpected reminder of how the price to attend soccer’s biggest spectacle has dramatically exploded over the past three decades.32 years ago, fans could watch some of the world’s best teams compete for as little as $45 — the price of a few Whole Foods groceries today.Today? Depending on the match, soccer aficionados likely need several hundred dollars to just get through the gates — and for the 2026 final, FIFA’s highest-priced tickets have climbed to an eye-watering $32,970, according to USA TODAY.Among the vintage finds uncovered by a Post staffer was a $45 ticket in Gate 7, Section 107, Row 28, Seat 10 for a Germany vs.
Spain match on June 21, 1994, at Soldier Field in Chicago.To add insult to (today’s wildly expensive) injury, the staffer’s father, who attended the match, paid only $10 to park outside the stadium, which would cost at least $50 to $60 today.Even after accounting for inflation, the difference is striking.
$55 to park and watch your favorite country play in 1994 would equate to roughly $104 today.The aged World Cup collection included several other bargain-by-today’s-standards tickets:Trying to score a World Cup quarterfinal ticket for that price today would be almost unimaginable.StubHub resale prices for the 2026 tournament have severely fluctuated as kickoff, which takes place on June 11, approaches.But even the cheapest group-stage matches available recently generally start around $170 to $220, while many marquee games, premium matchups between national or rival teams, are several hundred dollars or well over $1,000 per ticket, according to Business Insider.The fluctuation is due to prices dropping by roughly 11% over 60 days before rebounding 9% in the following week, illustrating just how volatile the secondary market has become, according to the outlet.Meanwhile, FIFA’s 2026 dynamic pricing model has sent the cost of p...